4. Reading the Qur’an

4. Reading the Qur’an

A large number of Western converts embraced Islam due to reading translations of the Qur’an. This mirrors those who converted in the Prophet’s time due to hearing readings from the Qur’an. The two most wide-spread translations of the Qur’an’s meanings are those of Yusuf Ali and Muhsin Khan. However, both have serious problems with regard to getting the message across. Yusuf Ali’s translation is in old-English and his footnotes contain much mis-information. Muhsin Khan’s translation, on the other hand, while accurate has so much explanatory material between brackets that the average reader loses track of the verse. There needs to be a good clear translation in modern English with sufficient footnotes to explain unclear passages and references.