Books Quote by Pickthall M. Marmaduke
““...The Qur'an cannot be translated. ...The book is here rendered almost literally and every effort has been made to choose befitting language. But the result is not the Glorious Qur'an, that inimitable symphony, the very sounds of which move men to tears and ecstasy. It is only an attempt to present the meaning of the Qur'an-and peradventure something of the charm in English. It can never take the place of the Qur'an in Arabic, nor is it meant to do so...””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Holy Qur'an (English Translation), 1930
The Qur'an's original Arabic is inimitable; translations can only approximate its meaning and emotional power.
In simple terms: Translations convey meaning but not the original's full impact.
Key Takeaway
Respect the original language; use translations as guides.
Themes
translation
religion
language
faith
interpretation
Mood
reverent
thoughtful
Type
explanatory
interpretive
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal reflection
- interfaith dialogue
- teaching
- reading scripture
Key Concepts
theology
linguistics
cultural nuance
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape spiritual experience?
- Can a translation ever capture poetic resonance?
A Different Perspective
Translations cannot replace the spiritual experience of the Arabic text.
