Challenges in Translating Majaz Mursal in the Holy Qur’an: a Comparative Study
This study examines the challenges in translating majāz mursal, the distinction of a distinct Arabic rhetorical device, within English translations of the Qur’an. Specifically, it compares the approaches of Arberry and Hilali-Khan through Holmes’ translation criticism framework. This study identifie...
| Main Author: | |
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| Contributors: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Al-Bayān
Year: 2025, Volume: 23, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-26 |
| Further subjects: | B
Translation
B Islamic Studies B Challenges B Religion B majaz mursal B Qur’an B Comparative |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This study examines the challenges in translating majāz mursal, the distinction of a distinct Arabic rhetorical device, within English translations of the Qur’an. Specifically, it compares the approaches of Arberry and Hilali-Khan through Holmes’ translation criticism framework. This study identifies the issues related to conveying nuanced meanings, particularly how majāz mursal is often simplified or lost in translation due to linguistic, cultural, and religious disparities between source and target audiences. Using a qualitative comparative method, the analysis reveals gaps in Arberry’s translation, which leans toward literalism, versus Hilali-Khan’s, which incorporates depths interpretive. The findings show that underscore the need of translators is not only the linguistic expertise but also a deep knowledge of Islamic studies. The next research should explore broader applications of majāz and other figurative devices across the diversity of Qur’anic translations to ensure more accurate cross-cultural understanding. |
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| ISSN: | 2232-1969 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Al-Bayān
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/22321969-20250164 |