Translations Of the Qur'an, And A Disbeliever Touching the Qur'an
Question :
May we translate the Qur'an, for instance, to French, so that disbelievers can read it, for Allah Almighty does say:
"That (this) is indeed an honourable recital (the Noble Qur'an). In a book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e., Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz). Which (that Book with Allah Almighty) none can touch but purified (i.e., the angels)."
And on the cover of such a translation the following would be written:
"And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is Ever Encompassing all things. They ask your legal instruction concerning women, say: Allah instructs you about them.
Answer:
The Qur'an's precision, beauty, perfect style, flawless cohesion. no translation can be equal to the Qur'an regarding these and other qualities, qualities that are complete and perfect because they are descriptive of Allah's Speech. One who attempts a perfect translation is like one who tries to ascend to the heavens without a ladder or a machine, or one who attempts to fly without wings or a machine.
However, a scholar may, according to his knowledge and ability, attempt to convey his understanding of the Qur'an into another language, so that the people of that language may come to know what he knows and understands from the Qur'an. Still though, his translation is not considered to be the Qur'an, nor is it given the status of the Qur'an in any way whatsoever. Rather, a translation of the Qur'an is more akin than anything else to a Tafsir or explanation of the Qur'an, for a Tafsir is never referred to as being the Qur'an. It follows then that a disbeliever and one who is in a state of major impurity can touch a translation of the Qur'an, just as both categories of people are permitted to touch. a Tafsir book written in Arabic.
Source:
The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7 Pages 36-37
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