The Qur'an in English Verse

In this 27 min joint presentation, Professors Lawrence and Habib share insights into their ongoing work on a poetic translation of the Qur’an in English. Their work challenges the popular belief that translations of the Qur’an can deliver its meaning, but not its tone and timbre in Arabic.

Their project is committed to producing an English translation of the Qur’an that might move people and induce a sense of beauty and sublimity of the original.  In this presentation, the Professors explain how their poetic style is consistently embodied in their approach, for example, in the translation of verses from three Qur’anic suras: Surat al-Fatiha (Q: 1), Surat al-Yasin (Q: 36), and Surat al-Rahman (Q: 55).

The Qur’an in English verse is a work in progress, due for completion in 2018.