The Majestic Quran: A Plain English Translation Paperback: Guidance & Good News For The Mindful

by Musharraf Hussein

This reader-friendly presentation of the Qur'an will help you to understand the topic you are reading, and learn the moving and transformative message.

The Majestic Quran is the word of God and was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is the supreme authority in Islam and the living source of all Islamic teachings. It is a book of guidance that sets out the creed, rituals, ethics, and laws of the religion. It is the most influential book in the history of literature and recognized as the greatest literary masterpiece in Arabic.

This new translation is written in a modern style that remains faithful to the original, making it easy to read and understand. The message of the Quran was addressed to all people regardless of class, gender, or age, and this translation is accessible to all.

The author Dr. Musharraf Hussein is a Scholar and the chief Executive of Karimia Institute Nottingham. He came to Britain from Pakistan in 1966 with his parents to the town of Halifax, where he memorized the Quran, learned Tajweed and basic Quranic Arabic.

He studied the Islamic sciences at a seminary in Pakistan under the guidance of Justice Pir Muhammad Karam Shah and then at Al-Azhar University, Cairo. He was awarded an OBE in 2008 for his services to community relations in Britain.

The Majestic Quran Surah / Surat /

1. Al-Fatihah
2. Al-Baqarah - The Cow
3. Ale ʿImran -The Family of Imran
4. An-Nisa’ - The Women
5. Al-Ma’idah - The Feast
6. Al-Anʿam - The Cattle
7. Al-Aʿraf - The Heights
8. Al-Anfal - The Spoils of War
9. At-Tawbah
10. Yunus
11. Hud
12. Yusuf
13. Ar-Raʿd - The Thunder
14. Ibrahim
15. Al-Hijr - The Rock City
16. An-Nahl - The Bee
17. Al-Isra’
18. Al-Kahf
19. Maryam
20. Ta-Ha
21. Al-Anbiya
22. Al-Hajj
23. Al-Muminun
24. An-Nur
25. Al-Furqan
26. Ash-Shuʿara’ - The Poets
27. An-Naml - The Ant
28. Al-Qasas
29. Al-ʿAnkabut - The Spider
30. Ar-Rum
31. Luqman
32. As-Sajdah
33. Al-Ahzab - The Confederates
34. Saba
35. Fatir - The Originator
36. Ya Seen
37. As-Saffat - Arranged in Rows
38. Sad
39. Az-Zumar - The Crowds
40. Mumin
41. Ha Meem
42. Ash-Shura - The Consultation
43. Az-Zukhruf - The Golden Ornaments
44. Ad-Dukhan - The Smoke
45. Al-Jathiyah - Kneeling
46. Al-Ahqaf - The Sand Dunes
47. Muhammad (SAW)
48. Al-Fath
49. Al-Hujurat - The Living Quarters
50. Qaf
51. Ad-Dhariyat - Gale-force Winds
52. At-Tur
53. An-Najm - The Star
54. Al-Qamar
55. Ar-Rahman
56. Al-Waqiʿah - The Inevitable Event
57. Al-Hadid - The Iron
58. Al-Mujadilah - The Woman at Odds
59. Al-Hashr - The Gathering of the Forces
60. Al-Mumtahinah - The Woman Investigated
61. As-Saff - The Rows
62. Al-Jumuah
63. Al-Munafiqun
64. At-Taghabun - The Day of Winning or Losing
65. At-Talaq
66. At-Tahrim - The Prohibition
67. Al-Mulk
68. Al-Qalam
69. Al-Haqqah
70. Al-Maʿarij - The Stairways to Heaven
71. Nuh
72. Al-Jinn
73. Al-Muzammil
74. Al-Muddathir
75. Al-Qiyamah
76. Ad-Dahr - The Time
77. Al-Mursalat - The Winds
78. An-Naba - The News
79. An-Naziʿat
80. ʿAbasa
81. At-Takwir
82. Al-Infitar
83. Al-Mutaffifin
84. Al-Inshiqaq
85. Al-Buruj
86. At-Tariq
87. Al-Ala
88. Al-Ghashiyah
89. Al-Fajr
90. Al-Balad
91. Ash-Shams
92. Al-Layl
93. Ad-Duha
94. Al-Inshirah
95. At-Tin
96. Al-ʿAlaq
97. Al-Qadr
98. Al-Bayyinah
99. Al-Zilzal
100. Al-ʿAdiyat
101. Al-Qariah
102. At-Takathur
103. Al-ʿAsr
104. Al-Humazah
105. Al-Fil
106. Al-Quraysh
107. Al-Maun
108. Al-Kawthar
109. Al-Kafirun
110. An-Nasr
111. Al-Lahab
112. Al-Ikhlas
113. Al-Falaq
114. An-Nas

Genres: Islam, Religion, History, Classics

572 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2021

Reviews

[Fiz|فيز (Substack link in bio) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4th read- March 24'/March 26'
3rd read- 22/03/2025- Ramadan
2nd read- 28/11/2024
'An act of translation is an act of betrayal.'

It is a betrayal to its original form in which any translation is never 100% accurate. In the intro the author also states 'it is a fact that no translation of the Qur'an no matter how accurate it is can express all the meanings of the Divine text, my translation is an attempt to understand the meanings of the Qur'an, it is not possible to fully translate and grasp the inimitable and powerful words of Allah.'

I have read a few translations and this by far is the easiest one to understand as it is written in plain contemporary English. It is accessible and very readable. There are concise summaries at the start of each surah which is super beneficial before going into it and the sub-headings and footnotes provide excellent companionship in understanding Quranic concepts. What I also like is how it is presented Arabic and English side by side rather than have the English underneath. The comments in the side margins are also so inspiring and empowering

(I read the 2023 published version-latest one)
First read (Ramadan read)- 26th March 2024

[Mohammed P Aslam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any attempt to translate the Quran is a complex task. Muslims believe the words set out in the Quran are the direct word of Allah (God), which therefore, means that any translation would carry a significant risk of the nuances and the expressive nature of the text being distorted. Consequently, translations of the Quran have been dogged by questions of accuracy made worse by many translators with political agendas of their own.



The Majestic Quran is reviewed here, not to pass judgement or explanation on the literal translation of the work that Dr Musharraf Hussain has undertaken. I am not qualified or knowledgeable enough to do this. This review does, however, attempt to look at the style, the nuances and the expressive nature in which the translation has proceeded.

A specific audience

The Majestic Quran is written with a specific audience in mind and the audience appears to be very small and to some degree speculative.



Clearly from the design, style and language used it fails to completely engage the reader in a comprehensive readable piece of work and leaves the reader somewhat confused as to whether the reader is reading a Christian version of the Quran or an Islamic version of the Bible.

Hussain stated that this publication is aimed at non-Muslims in schools, colleges, universities and other public authorities. This is most likely why Hussain has used throughout the Quran, Judo-Christian names and terms relating to the various followers of Judaism and Christianity rather than applying Islamic terms and names where it was considered necessary.

The terminology used throughout this work is largely inappropriate and offers no reflection or resemblance to the established and recognised global Islamic identity. The translated work would be more at home on a shelf within a ‘Christian Cathedral’ rather than within an Islamic place of knowledge.

Dr Gordon Nickel published a similar styled book namely, ‘The Quran with Christian Commentary’. Nickel attempted to offer an overview of Islamic scriptures taken from the Quranic text. The response to his work was somewhat mixed and where one Coptic Orthodox Christian who had reviewed the book on the website ‘Goodreads’, commented, “the book may be good for those who never read anything about Islam, but, for those who want to understand the Quran critically - like me -, it doesn't help a lot”. In similar tone Hussain’s translation doesn’t take us much further than Nickel’s work.

A chronic controversy

The Majestic Quran has faced considerable controversy over the authenticity of the translated work although, I have attempted to search for the principle arguments relating to such claims. However, it seems most of the commentary has been removed or is no longer accessible on the web. Nevertheless, it appears that the disputed passages in the Quran raise questions on the authenticity of the translated work and further details on this point have become clouded in personal dislikes and insults between various parties; the principle differences are unclear. This work seems to have become a labour of love for Hussain rather than caring for the attentiveness towards accuracy and authenticity. This point is significantly troubling.

When the Majestic Quran was verified for its accuracy and authenticity, a number renowned Islamic scholars stated that they were unable to offer Hussain their endorsement because of at least 11 substantial errors contained in the translated work. I am unaware if those errors have been corrected, Hussain appears to be dismissive on some of the disputed points made by a body of Muslim scholars (Ulama) who are internationally recognised as having specialist knowledge of Islamic sacred law and theology. (For further details, the following link is discussed in English and Urdu). http://sunniport.com/index.php?thread...

An awkward message

There are prominent sections in the Quran which look as if they have been translated to meet a specific purpose. For example, on P.39 footnote ‘c’ states that the verse which permits fighting, this can only be done by legitimately elected governments not by self-proclaimed leaders.



Hussain’s analysis confuses the context of conflict, the term ‘legitimate’ at times of conflict is a personal expression. Hussain comments that this passage was revealed during the sixth year of Hijrah when Muhammad and his followers were returning to Makkah to perform Umrah. There is no disagreement on the revelation of this passage. But there are questions about Hussain’s stated analysis under footnote ‘c’. There is a further passage (p.410) where Hussain comments that all Muslims are obliged to defend Muslim victims from tyranny, he goes further and comments that Islam does not surrender to oppressors and urges all Muslims to stand up against such tyrants. Another translated point is added on p.413 where it is said, “never to lose heart or beg for peace”. These passages relating to war and conflict show how he seems to trip over his own contradictions from the earlier passage on p.39 and which also contradict the latter passages set out here.

Hussain has had a checkered history of awkward messaging about his belief and denunciation of orthodox Islam over his acknowledgment of Islamic modernity. Stephanie Sarkis a Leadership Strategist wrote that a 'Gaslighter' tends to always contradict themselves even if this means putting themselves at odds with their desired audience. Sarkis adds that this behaviour is often ingrained in their psyche, believing that everyone else is wrong and they are the only ones who are right. Consequently, Hussain's relationship with various government agencies and individuals may have influenced his worldview in a manner where 'interpretation' and 'translation' can become confused.

If his translated work is truthful and I have no reasons to doubt the accuracy of his general work, then there are some contextual issues he has failed to explain, and this poses questions about the misrepresentation and therefore, legitimacy of his translated work.

A chief imam

Hussain describes himself as Chief Imam, Doctor, OBE, Deputy Lieutenant, a scientist, an educator and a religious scholar and a supporting participant of the British Government’s anti-Muslim PREVENT strategy team. Some of these titles and ‘honours’ are notably bestowed upon Hussain by the British Government, some have been earned through his public and scholarly activity and ... except maybe ‘Chief Imam’ which is a self-conceived term that over exaggerates his religious influence.



The term Chief Imam was devised by Hussain to elevate himself as a self-declared Islamic theologist over his peers. The term Chief Imam is likely borrowed from the Jewish clergy (Chief Rabbi) with whom he has close ties.

The Islamic Sharia Council of Great Britain wrote that Professor Emanuel de Kadt, a Jewish academic, disparaged the Holly Quran when he wrote, “Some Jews claim that the Quran contains verses which incite hatred against the Jews. We demand that these verses should be removed from the Quran to make it ‘Jewish friendly’”. This point, although entirely misinterpreted, is where and possibly why Hussain has attempted to interpret the so called offending passages in the Quranic text in order to appease such ‘sensitivities’ from leading members of the Jewish community with whom he has built a resilient bond of fraternal support. Similar to the friendship he has had with the Anti-Muslim Quilliam Foundation for several years.

A final note

On a positive note, this is a well framed book which has without doubt reached out not only to non-Muslims but also to many English speaking Muslims who have previously struggled to understand the Arabic text in the Quran. Although this work does not aim to replace the original Arabic version, it does go a considerable way towards assisting Muslims to understand the general meaning of the Islamic passages.

The issue of course remains about some of those translated passages continuing to obscure their true meaning. It is hoped that such inaccuracies and misrepresentations will in time be corrected to meet the requirements of those who have specialist knowledge on Islamic law and theology. Until they are corrected, any reading of this book should be cautionary by the fact it contains a number of inaccuracies which, it is claimed, have not yet been corrected in the Majestic Quran.

Dr Mohammed P Aslam

[Corstiaan]

Man, dat was me een pittig boekje. 8 maanden lang iedere ochtend een half uur lezen. Maar dan heb je wel de hele Koran gelezen en aantekeningen gemaakt.

[Mr A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This translation reflects the original beautiful meaning of the Quran in plain English. Its language is contemporary and presents an accurate interpretation of the meanings of the Quran according to classical Muslim commentators. Dr Musharraf’s translation is accessible and readable in English, and it is an excellent addition to the field of Quran translations.

[Pia Bröker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I was expecting a second bible and did not really find it. I was very surprised by so many rules and the conciseness of stories. Glad I can finally say I read the full Quran, albeit just a translated version.
I do not love this translation, it was hard to understand sometimes.

[Christiana Nakhla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oof.

That's all.

[David Devlin]

Just 70% read... This is my first read... read much Torah.Tanach. New Covenant. Gnostic. Noahide etc. I am absolutely loving this read...for me only the word 'Powerful!' can really sum it up... Before l may have criticise Islam, but now l am letting the Quran speak ... for its self..Not the media, or even the terrorist opinionated ones... l love the bible l aim to love all my enemies... l will hastily finish the last Surahs and immediately begin again with a more studious approach?..This Quran is certainly for 'me

[Khuloud Surour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though easy and a modern contempary translation in English, some of the texts conseals its true meaning while some are undermined. However still carries the essence of the Quran meaning for research and understanding Islam. I would use this and always go to online corpus quran to check the arabic with the english context for a deeper reflection.

[Victor Begg · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the besttransliteration

The English is modern and with good summary tafseer at the beginning of the chapters. The subheadings are very helpful in understanding the Quranic concepts and relevance

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good translation and extremely easy to follow. I didn't feel like there was too much going on the pages and it was easy to understand. The best part was the summarisation of each surah at the start which was very beneficial. A good first quran to read the translation from.

[Aida ✌️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It isn't a word for word on the Quran itself, but for those who want to understand what they're reading when they pick up the Quran and they're perhaps struggling with doing that, then this is an excellent starting point.

[Qasim Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant translation, written in plain and simple English, with excellent introductions to chapters and thought provoking questions on each page. A must read.

[MALAYSIAS MALAYSIAS MALAYSIAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

MALAYSIAS

[Majid Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellence !

All praise to the almighty Allah (swt) as Muslims its our dutie to learn, read, understand and follow this quran. May Allah (swt) guide us on the right path. Ameen

[Zana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Majestic indeed.

[Faizah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure about some of the translation in this version.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d say this is the best version of the Quran but I am biased. This book helped me in my reversion to Islam, alhamdullilah! It looks like a lot of thought was put into this translation.

[Tom Kellermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this if you're interested in educating yourself about one of the world's major religions. Maybe it will change your bias.

[Ettak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version (I asked goodreads to add the audiobook edition, but just capturing my thoughts here for now).

The English language translation was very easy to understand, maybe even a bit too contemporary.

I was interested in The Majestic Quran: A Plain English Translation: Guidance & Good News For The MindfulThe Majestic Quran: A Plain English Translation: Guidance & Good News For The Mindful as I had never read it in full.
Being exposed to it as a comparative text, I was excited to confirm that I was familiar with the information in quite a few of the surahs.

There were two narrators in the audiobook and they alternated between reading the surahs; both with very proper/posh British English intonations; one had a very deep, melodious voice. One of the narrators said certain names (specifically Allah) in a different/unexpected way from the other.

[Mira Yunus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read cover to cover, in the original Arabic text plus the English translation during the month of Ramadan.

Learned a ton of things I didn't know before, like how the book actually has discussion on materialism & capitalism. My favourite part, looking back, was the chapter 58, Al-Mujadila, "She Who Disputes, The Pleading Woman" in which the book answered to a case of a woman who pleaded and disputed an abusive pagan Arab custom which her husband subjected her to. The verses directly mentioned the woman, gently supported her case, and set future precedent for the Prophet to rule on abusive relationships.

Overall a very moving text, comprises of many, many subjects, easy to understand but still beautiful english translation.

[Ingabire belkis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coran reading made easy

Alhamdulillah, I found this book. It is easy to read and understand. It captures my mind every time I start reading, I can't stop myself. I had been struggling to read coran because of a lack of understanding, but with this one, Alhamdulillah. Just try it, you will see by yourself, and may Allah make it easy and beneficial to us.

[Sir Badgerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite translation to LISTEN to on Audible, just not my favorite to READ. Funny how that works. It's good to get exposure to more than one translation though. I recommend this if you are looking for an AUDIO version of the Quran!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful version of the Quran in English. Extremely easy to read and it flows great.❤️❤️❤️