Verses 53:1-10

Index · **Joined:** 08 May 2009, 14:16 **Posts:** 1994

Suggested translation^1,2:

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¹This translation may have been updated from the original suggested translation as a result of the discussions that follow.
²Click on the {verse number} of a translation to see other good translations of the verse.

Linguistic · **Posted:** 15 Oct 2009, 03:51

Quote:

{53:1} By the star when it descends,

I like Arberry's translation of هوى best; he translated it "plunged."

{53:1} By the star when it plunges,

Quote:

{53:4} It is not but a revelation revealed,

I suggest,
{53:4} It is not but a revelation inspired,

Quote:

{53:5} Taught to him by one intense in strength -

I think that an explanatory note is in order here for the unfamiliar reader, e.g.,

{53:5} Taught to him by one intense in strength (Gabriel) -

Quote:

{53:6} One of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form

Again, I like Arberry's translation of فاستوى best; he translated it "stood poised." I suggest,

{53:6} Flawless, he stood poised.

Quote:

{53:7} While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon.

The Arabic makes it a superlative, not a comparative, so I suggest,

{53:7} While he was in the highest horizon.

Quote:

{53:8} Then he approached and descended

I suggest,
{53:8} Then he came close and descended.

Quote:

{53:10} And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed.

I suggest,

{53:10} And he (Gabriel) revealed to His (God's) worshiper (Muhammad) what He (God) revealed [to Gabriel].

It is a difficult verse to translate. Another way to translate it would be, "Thus God revealed to His worshiper what He wanted to reveal."

Pragmatic · **Posted:** 16 Oct 2009, 18:00

Linguistic wrote:

Quote:

{53:1} By the star when it descends,

I like Arberry's translation of هوى best; he translated it "plunged."
{53:1} By the star when it plunges,

Good choice.

Quote:

{53:4} It is not but a revelation revealed,

I suggest,
{53:4} It is not but a revelation inspired,

IMHO, the fact that the same word was used in Arabic within the same verse dictates that the same should be done in the translation. I suggest
{53:4} It is not but a revelation that is revealed,

Quote:

Another way to translate it would be, "Thus God revealed to His worshiper what He wanted to reveal."

I suggest
{53:10} Thus He revealed to His Worshiper what He revealed.

Linguistic · **Posted:** 17 Oct 2009, 19:56

Pragmatic wrote:

IMHO, the fact that the same word was used in Arabic within the same verse dictates that the same should be done in the translation. I suggest
{53:4} It is not but a revelation that is revealed,

I like that! Interesting, isn't it, that the solution is often the easiest yet it seems to be elusive?

Linguistic · **Posted:** 04 Apr 2014, 00:26

{53:1} By the star when it plunged,

{53:2} Your fellow (Muhammad) has not strayed, and he has not followed lure,

{53:3} And he does not enunciate out of fancy.

{53:4} It is but a revelation which is revealed,

{53:5} Taught him was one intense in strengths (Gabriel) -

{53:6} Having composure; then he poised.

{53:7} While he was by the highest horizon.

{53:8} And then he came near then dangled.

{53:9} Such that he was at an ambit of two bow lengths or nearer.

{53:10} Then He revealed to His Worshiper what He revealed.

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Verses 53:1-10

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