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Book of Council for Kings
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April 18, 2016
This book is an English translation by FRC Bagley from the Persian text (edited by Jalal al-Huma'i) and the Bodleian Arabic text (edited by HD Isaacs). It means Bagley using two version of text as comparison - in Persian and in Arabic. I am using this book as comparison with Malay version of Nasihat Kepada Raja-Raja (Nasihat al-Mulk) Imam al-Ghazali. one of good work by renowned Malay scholars, Dr Jelani Harun. The book has the same meaning - Nasihat al-Muluk by Hujjah al-Balighah Imam al-Ghazali. In English, Bagley add another name - Counsel for Kings while Jelani's Nasihat Kepada Raja-Raja. Both convey the message of the book - a mirror for princess or an advise to the princess or leader.
While reading English version, there were additional pages that does not exist in Arabic text, that make me initially confused with the originality of the text. Then I come to conclusion that since the text originally from manuscript, then there will be many different version. This is what we called interpolation - additional words put into the text after the demise of the original writer or added by the scribers and copier. However, the additional pages sounds so strange and confusing. It is on final chapter that talk about women - how come Imam al-Ghazali wrote something that hurts the women? Totally strange, right?
Therefore, comparing text in different languages is a good exrcise to make sure the originality of the text. In other words, better to learn the subject in its own/original languange. The taste will be very different!
While reading English version, there were additional pages that does not exist in Arabic text, that make me initially confused with the originality of the text. Then I come to conclusion that since the text originally from manuscript, then there will be many different version. This is what we called interpolation - additional words put into the text after the demise of the original writer or added by the scribers and copier. However, the additional pages sounds so strange and confusing. It is on final chapter that talk about women - how come Imam al-Ghazali wrote something that hurts the women? Totally strange, right?
Therefore, comparing text in different languages is a good exrcise to make sure the originality of the text. In other words, better to learn the subject in its own/original languange. The taste will be very different!
Displaying 1 of 1 review