The Effectiveness of the Translator's Theological Principles and Their Necessity in Translating Similar Verses Regarding Divine Attributes and the Infallibility of the Prophets (A Comparative Study of Contemporary Persian Translation)

Gholami, Abdollah

The Effectiveness of the Translator's Theological Principles and Their Necessity in Translating Similar Verses Regarding Divine Attributes and the Infallibility of the Prophets (A Comparative Study of Contemporary Persian Translation)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Abdollah Gholami

Razi Uni.

Abstract

According to the seventh verse of Surah Al-Imran, the verses of the Quran are divided into two types: Muhkamat and Mutashabihat. Mutashabihat verses are verses that do not have a clear and explicit meaning and are likely to have several meanings, which are themselves divided into two groups: main and incidental Mutashabihat. These verses are generally about seeing God, divine knowledge, verses related to divine attributes and actions, the infallibility of prophets, predestination and free will, guidance and error, the concept of faith, abrogation and takfir, illusory verses of personification and similitude, and issues of this kind. This research, using a descriptive-analytical method and a case study of four examples of such verses, has shown that since these verses are mostly about doctrinal and theological issues and their apparent translation may create grounds for intellectual and ideological deviation, therefore, in order to avoid creating deviation among Muslims in translating similar verses, Quran translators must pay attention to theological foundations and the doctrinal principles of religion and sect, and in fact, reflect theological foundations in the translation.

Keywords

Translation of the Quran

similar verses

incidental similar verses

theological foundations

attributes of God

infallibility of the prophets