English Translation of the Proverbs in the Holy Qur'an: A Critical and Comparative Study

Abstract

This study examines the translation of Qur’anic proverbs into English, focusing on how their rhetorical and moral meanings are conveyed to non-Arabic-speaking audiences. The purpose of the research was to conduct a comparative analysis of selected Qur’anic proverbs in two prominent English translations: Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s The Holy Qur’an: Text, Translation and Commentary (1938) and Mohammad Mahmud Ghali’s Towards Understanding the Ever-Glorious Qur’an (1997). Using a descriptive comparative qualitative design, the study employed qualitative content analysis to analyse a purposive sample of thirty Qur’anic proverbs. The comparison focused on translation strategies, stylistic features, and the extent to which each translation retained the rhetorical impact and moral essence of the Arabic source text. The results showed that Yusuf Ali’s translation uses archaic, poetic English, evoking a literary tone but limiting accessibility for modern readers. Ghali’s version, by contrast, adopts modern and straightforward English, addressing some interpretive ambiguities in Ali’s work. Both translators applied literal translation, transliteration, and cultural adaptation strategies, yet neither fully captured the depth and rhetorical force of the original text. The study recommends adopting modern, fluent English and avoiding obsolete expressions, unnecessary transliteration, or personal bias. It further suggests that Qur’an translation should be a collective scholarly effort involving experts in Arabic, English, Qur’anic exegesis, and Islamic sciences to ensure accuracy, objectivity, and contextual fidelity in conveying the meanings of the Noble Qur’an.