THE ISSUE OF TRANSLATING PROPHETS’ NAMES: PRESERVING ORIGINAL QUR’ANIC FORMS
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This study employs qualitative textual and comparative methods:Linguistic analysis: Examining transliteration versus translation of prophets’ names. Textual study: Reviewing classical Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir) regarding proper names. Comparative analysis: Comparing Arabic Qur’anic names with their Biblical or Western equivalents. Primary sources include The Noble Qur’an (Hilali–Khan), The Clear Quran (Khattab), and tafsir works of Ibn Kathir and Al Nawawi.Abstract
Prophets’ names in the Qur’an are not merely identifiers; they carry profound religious, linguistic, and cultural significance. Since the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic, the names of the prophets appear in specific phonetic and semantic forms. Some modern translators render these names in Western or Biblical equivalents—for example, Yahya as John the Baptist or Isa as Jesus—to increase accessibility for English readers. However, preserving the original Qur’anic forms ensures fidelity to the sacred text and maintains its theological integrity.This study examines translation philosophies and scholarly positions, arguing for the preservation of Qur’anic Arabic forms in English translation.
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Khattab, Mustafa. The Clear Quran: A Thematic English Translation. Al-Furqaan Foundation, 2016.
Khan, Muhammad Muhsin, and Muhammad Taqi‑ud‑Din al‑Hilali. The Noble Qur’an: English Translation of the Meanings with Commentary. King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, 1996.
Ibn Taymiyyah. Majmu‘ al-Fatawa. Dar al-Fikr, 1984. Vol. 3.
Ibn Kathir. Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim. Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya, 2000. Vol. 1.5Al-Nawawi. Al-Majmu‘ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab. Dar al-Fikr, 1990. Vol. 2.
“Noble Quran (Hilali–Khan).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Feb. 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Quran_(Hilali–Khan)
“Mustafa Khattab.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Feb. 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Khattab
The Clear Quran. “About the Translation.” TheClearQuran.com, Accessed 28 Feb. 2026, https://theclearquran.com
Abdullayeva N.A. Inglizcha va o’zbekcha diniy matnlar tadqiqida islomiy terminlar va iboralarning korpus tahlili, BuxDU axborot xati, 9-son, September, 2025
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