The Linguistic & Scientific Mysteries of Quran (Analysis of Verse 30 Chapter Al-Anbiya in the light of English Quran Translations)

Abstract

Quran is the book of universal guidance for humanity. It clearly explains some sciences in its discourse, and sometimes it just provides a hint and a gesture to various sciences. While translating the word of Allah in other languages, translators fail to convey the exact rhetorical and semantic meanings, and stylistical features, and symphonic beauties in the target languages which may cause in the destruction of Allah’s word; its beauty and vastness. Quran is not a book of science, but it contains verses that explain scientific facts and principles. Converting their true meaning in the shape of a faithful translation is a lasting service to humanity. The verse No 30 in chapter Al-Anbiya describes a scientific fact of the birth of this universe in a very symphonic style of word construction. Its translation is miracle from phonetic side and a valuable contribution on the other side for scientists, scholars and students. Verse No.30, Chapter Al-Anbiya, its various translations:

أولَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيْ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

Yousaf Ali: Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before wer clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?

Pickthal: Have not those who disbelieve known that the beavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and we made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?

Mohsin Khan: Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?

Dr. Ghali: And have not the ones who disbelieved seen that the heavens and the earth were an integrated (mass), which We then parted asunder?

Asad: ARE, THEN, they who are bent on denying the truth not aware that the heavens and the earth were (once) one single entity, which We then parted asunder? The article deals with the meaning of the words explained by the Arab linguists and commentators in their exegesis regarding Quran; The analysis of their meanings in translations of the Quran; Analysis of its translation and its symphonic beauties; and the scientific facts mentioned in the verse. The study is qualitative in which the data will be evaluated for results.