This page presents 7 parallel translations of the Qur’an. You can view the verses side by side, compare their meanings, and explore the nuances in each translation. This allows a deeper understanding of the Qur’an’s message and insight into different interpretive approaches.

Chapter (114) sūrat l-nās (Mankind)

1. Sahih International

• Translators: A group translation (edited by Umm Muhammad).
• Focus: Aims for literal accuracy (word-for-word meaning) using clear, modern English.
• Key Feature: Very popular in modern digital and print media due to its straightforward language and adherence to a generally accepted literal interpretation.

2. Pickthall

• Translator: Marmaduke Pickthall (An English convert to Islam).
• Focus: Uses a classical, formal English style. It aimed to provide an “English equivalent” while retaining original Islamic terminology (e.g., Allah, Salat).
• Key Feature: Considered the first authoritative English translation by a Muslim. Highly respected for its dignified and formal tone.

3. Yusuf Ali

• Translator: Abdullah Yusuf Ali.
• Focus: Most famous for its extensive footnotes and commentary (tafsir) which offer detailed background and theological context.
• Key Feature: Extremely popular, though the English is sometimes archaic, resembling the King James Bible style. The value lies primarily in its rich commentary.

4. Shakir

• Translator: M.H. Shakir.
• Focus: Known for being more concise and simple than Yusuf Ali, with fewer footnotes.
• Key Feature: The language is generally direct and less stylized, making it an easier read for some.

5. Muhammad Sarwar

• Translator: Muhammad Sarwar.
• Focus: Focuses on using simple, clear, and fluent modern English for easy comprehension.
• Key Feature: A contemporary translation designed to communicate the central message of the Qur’an without heavy theological phrasing or deep commentary.

6. Mohsin Khan (Hilali & Khan)

• Translators: Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan and Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali.
• Focus: Strictly adheres to the Salafi/Wahhabi school of interpretation. It frequently uses parenthetical insertions to clarify the meaning based on Hadith and Sunnah (Prophetic tradition).
• Key Feature: Known for its literal approach and inclusion of bracketed explanations to ensure the interpretation aligns with established scholarly views.

7. Arberry

• Translator: Arthur John Arberry (Academic).
• Focus: An academic and literary translation. Arberry’s primary goal was to capture the rhythm, music, and rhetorical quality (eloquence) of the original Arabic text.
• Key Feature: Highly praised for its attempt to convey the poetic beauty and flow of the Qur’an, often prioritizing literary quality over detailed commentary.