The Koran (Interpreted) – A.J. Arberry – 2 Stars

The Koran (Interpreted) – A.J. Arberry – 2 Stars

Title: The Koran (Interpreted)

Author: A.J. Arberry

Publisher: Touchstone  

Year: Softcover 1996

Rating:  2 Stars

Price and Purchasing Options: The book is available on Amazon for around $15.  With that being said there are a number of places where copies of the Koran are available online or in different printed forms.  I would also recommend considering listening to the version on Audible.  Even though it is not the exact copy or translation used in this text, it is a good one to listen to (it comes in three parts so you really need to use three credits to get the whole text).

Review: I enjoyed reading the Koran, and learned a little bit – however, at the end of the day the greatest satisfaction I got from it was really being able to say I read it.

Again, for such an important world book – I will not do it justice, and I know that.  However, I do hope to put the book into a nice context for the LDS community.

First of all, it is important to know that no English translation is really the Koran (or Qur’an) – it is a book that is supposed to be printed and read in Arabic… so even reading the English translation is somewhat “not” real.  It even makes reference to that in the book itself. 

Second, when reading the Koran in English it might be nice to consider a few things to help make it relatable.  The God title Allah in the Koran is really the Arabic word for God – and even though it may be somewhat blasphemous in Islamic context to translate Allah into God for an English translation, it not only might be acceptable in some context, it would help make the book relatable in most non-Islamic contexts.

With that being said, when reading the book as a curious member of the LDS community, if you can mentally translate Allah into God or Lord than you may be able to relate to the text more than you would otherwise.  Remember, that LORD in our King James Version of the Bible is actually a replacement word for the real word JHVH (which we assume spells Jehovah). 

Third, you will notice that it becomes rather clear very quickly why this is considered sacred to such a large population of people.  The tone and the messaging is very direct, and is given in such a way that it echoes the voice of God.  The messaging is clear and direct.

A few unique or interesting impressions that came to mind as I was reading it are as follows. 

The book itself has a unique hybid tone between the Old and New testament.  At times it gives very logical application to living a good life – one that everyone would agree with.  It has some axioms that can and probably should be applied in some fashion throughout the world.  It also has some Old Testament tones periodically related to judgement and “infidels” – however, surprising not as much as mass media would have you believe, and actually not as much as the Old Testament.  In all honesty, in context the book is no more violent and much LDS literature (in its own context).  I appreciated learning this element of it.

One unique element is that the book purports (within the text itself) to be the complete words of God –and although it borrows heavily from the Old Testament and references New Testament experiences in passing – it is the complete text that supersedes them.  It makes assumptions within the text that the reader has a background understanding of the Old and New Testament, but doesn’t actually readdress what they should know – I found this interesting.  At times it was referencing Abraham’s story of him and Isaac, but never actually re-casted the story – like the reader should have already known without actually reading the Old Testament. 

It also gave some legendary stories that the Jew tell – that were interesting as well.

Ultimately I enjoyed reading and learning through the process.  However, in the LDS context and community there was nothing in it that added to my understanding of the gospel.  I can’t say it brought me closer to Christ, but it did help me develop a greater sense of empathy for the Islamic Community (and I suppose there is something there).

A part of me wants to give it more stars than two – but in the LDS community it is probably only good for those who are really interested.

Suggestions:  If you are really interested – go for it!

I hope you have enjoyed this review, and I encourage you to follow this blog as I update more reviews in the coming days, weeks, months, etc.  Please feel free to also follow my YouTube page – however, I enjoy writing more than being on camera!

Review #27

Tags: The Koran, Sacred Scripture, A.J. Arberry, 2 Stars, LDS Book Review, Ryan Daley