New Delhi: Renowned Islamic scholar Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan’s English translation of the Holy Quran was released at a ceremony at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, aimed at offering a clearer, more accurate translation with annotations for new generations and non-Muslim readers, in contrast to existing versions.
The launch ceremony was attended by scholars, leaders, and students, with distinguished scholars and community leaders addressed the ceremony, including Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Vice President Prof. Saleem Engineer, SP Member of Parliament Maulana Muhibullah Nadwi, Prof. Abdul Majid Qazi (Jamia Millia Islamia), Prof. Muhammad Qutbuddin (Jawaharlal Nehru University), Dr. Waris Mazhari (Jamia Hamdard), and Abdul Wadood Sajid, editor of Inquilab’s North Indian editions. Dr. Syeda Syedain Hameed, former member of the Planning Commission of India presided over the event.
A New, Simplified Translation
Explaining the need for a new translation, Dr. Khan , a former Chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission, studied at Al-Azhar and Cairo University and earned his PhD from Manchester University, noted that while multiple English versions of the Quran exist, many contain inaccuracies and linguistic complexities that make them difficult to understand. He particularly pointed out errors in the widely used translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, which, despite its popularity especially in the Indian subcontinent, contained numerous linguistic and interpretational shortcomings.
Dr. Khan recalled that during the 1970s and 1980s, when he was a research fellow at the Muslim Institute in London, he often referred to Yusuf Ali’s translation to quote verses in his speeches and writings, as it was readily available at the time. However, Dr. Khan pointed out that while Yusuf Ali was proficient in English, he was not a scholar of Arabic. In contrast, Dr. Khan, who received his education in Arabic from Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, was able to identify the shortcomings nearly in each and every verse of Yusuf Ali’s translation. As a result, he then resolved to one day correct these translation errors in 1980s.
The Islamic scholar also emphasized the need for a modern translation of the Quran in simple, accessible English, one that requires no need for a dictionary. He pointed out that Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s translation contains difficult, obsolete words, and outdated terminology that are not easily understood by the average reader.
Sharing how he started the translation , Dr. Zafarul Islam recalled that during his Hajj pilgrimage in 2010, while at the Kaaba, he made a firm resolve to start the translation immediately upon returning home. True to his word, he began the work within months. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Dr. Khan fully dedicated himself to the project, completing it in 2023 after 12 years of focused effort. Dr. Khan said, “With Allah’s help, I completed this work, and it is becoming popular swiftly in India and abroad . Within two years, two editions have been published, and the third edition will be released soon. Even an Islamic Centre in Canada ordered hundreds of copies, and it has gained popularity, even among non-Muslims.”
Dr. Khan clarified that his latest translation includes about 2,500 footnotes, which are not based on Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s work but were written by him personally, drawing from the earliest original Arabic sources and exegeses such as Tafseer al-Tabari, Kashaf, and Tafseer al-Qurtubi. These annotations address the questions that ordinary Muslims or non-Muslim readers might have while reading the Quranic text. Dr. Khan noted that the lack of this approach in many previous translations has caused confusion and doubts, which have been exploited by enemies of Islam.
Dr. Khan emphasized that only the most authentic and earliest Arabic sources were used, with great care taken to present the text as understood by the earliest Muslim scholars and commentators. Dr. Khan also made a conscious effort to avoid philosophical, jurisprudential (Fiqhi), or sectarian (Maslaki) discussions, which often cause division among Muslims.
Initially intended as a correction of Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s translation, the project evolved into a comprehensive work, with a detailed introduction to the Quran, a chapter on the life of Prophet Muhammad, and several indices, including Islamic terms and a Quranic index. Dr. Khan explained that while he is fluent in Arabic, he conducted rigorous research and lexical analysis to understand the meanings of words and terms used in the Quran. He believes that many existing English translations and commentaries fail to meet today’s needs or address contemporary questions. This translation, in his view, will help Muslims better follow Allah’s commands and provide non-Muslims with a clearer understanding of the Islamic holy book.
According to Dr. Khan, his annotated translation, The Glorious Quran, is available in two editions: one with the parallel Arabic text and its translation, and the other with only the English translation. Both versions include footnotes and appendices specially written by Dr. Khan. This translation is also available online at https://thegloriousquran.net/, while hard copies can be found on Amazon, Flipkart, and various bookstores.
The Glorious Quran: New Translation Receives Praise from Scholars, Leaders
On this occasion, JIH Vice President Prof.Saleem Engineer praised Dr. Khan’s English translation of the Holy Quran, calling it straightforward and accessible, requiring no dictionary. He highlighted the comprehensive introduction, footnotes, and indices that provide detailed explanations of terms, making the text easier to understand for English-speaking readers.
Speaking on the occasion, MP Muhibullah Nadwi, lauded Dr. Khan’s meticulous work, stating that millions will appreciate this effort, which draws from the interpretations of early generations and original sources of Islam. He described it as a beautiful endeavour.
Prof.Abdul Majid Qazi shared that he had read the entire translation and found it excellent. He provided an overview of the history of Quran translations, noting that early versions, primarily done by Orientalists and Christian scholars, aimed to misrepresent the Islamic text. He acknowledged that over a hundred English translations of the Quran exist, including those by Qadianis, but emphasized that Dr. Khan’s translation addresses the deficiencies of earlier works, offering a beautiful and accurate rendering of the Quran. He also pointed out the challenge of creating a simple translation, referencing an Italian proverb that says, “Translation is treachery,” which underscores the difficulty of capturing the true essence of a text across languages.
Prof.Qutbuddin recognized Dr. Khan not only as a translator but as a profound scholar who exercises ijtihad when needed, clarifying terms and addressing contemporary issues such as women’s hijab, the rights of dhimmis, modern migration, and the status of Muslims as minorities.
Dr. Waris Mazhari highlighted the translation’s simplicity and comprehensiveness, praising Dr. Khan for his deep understanding of both Arabic and English, as well as contemporary issues affecting Muslims. He particularly commended how the translation addresses modern topics such as the status of women, politics, defensive jihad, and issues related to dhimmis, stoning, apostasy, and the role of women in modern life.
Presiding over the ceremony ,Dr. Syeda Syedain Hameed congratulated Dr. Khan on his remarkable achievement and expressed her happiness at participating in the event.
A message from Najeeb Jung, former Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia and former Lt. Governor of Delhi, was read aloud, in which he praised Dr. Khan’s translation as “comparing with the best of the best” and acknowledged the insightful commentary explaining the incidents in the Quran.
Abdul Wadood Sajid, editor of Inquilab, called Dr. Khan’s translation “a monumental achievement” and elaborated on the social justice messages within the Quran.
The release ceremony was moderated by senior Urdu journalist Masoom Moradabadi, who congratulated Dr. Khan for his remarkable work and introduced his five-decade-long journey as a scholar, writer, journalist, and community leader.