which translation or version of the koran

I have heard many times people say the radicals dont abide to the koran..the radicals say the opposite. other people state you read the wrong translation so which version do i read and why is sharia denounced by some and others swear by it.

quidam wrote: I have heard many times people say the radicals dont abide to the koran..the radicals say the opposite. other people state you read the wrong translation so which version do i read and why is sharia denounced by some and others swear by it.

Hi quidam,
This is really a very pertinent question that you have highlighted. After all, what is different between the beliefs of the two groups of Muslims? Although, I am not an expert to say as what radicals believe, however, in my opinion, their twisted theology comes from everywhere but from Quran. So, whenever you read Quran translation, make sure its source is authentic. Rather I would encourage you to consult a web source which provides translations for more than two translators, just make sure to reduce the translational errors to minimum. Secondly, Sharia is nothing so mysterious as you seem to imply. Basically it is a Muslim law as per the injunctions of Quran and explained by authentic Sunnah & ahadith.    

quidam wrote: so really your saying people who cant read arabic which would certainly be most muslims dont even know what it really says

For people of ulterior motives, knowledge of the language of Quran is immaterial. They bring all sort of evidences to support their intentions. That is why, our first question to them is their source of information from Quran and how they understand it? I was rather surprised that these terrorist have even invented theories to circumvent the clear verses of Quran that go right against their agenda, just to fool people into their legitimacy.

Some years ago, a non-muslim from Mensa was querying the authenticity of the translated Qur'aan that he was reading. I informed him that firstly, the true message would never be covered by a mere translation. However, in my humble opinion, the best of the translations of Al-Qur'aan is Kanzul Iman. Herewith attached is my research for him and justification thereof, I thought I would just share it with you. enjoy, and Ma'assalaam (with Peace)

This is why various translations are given priority over others..
"Wawajaddaka daalan fahada" Qur'aan 93:7
1. "Did He not find you wandering and guide you?" [An English translation published in Beirut Lebanon by Dar-Al-Choura]
2. "And He found thee wandering, and He gave the guidance." [Abdullah Yousuf Ali]
3. "And found thee lost on the way and guided thee?" [Mohammed Asad]
4. "And He found thee wandering in search for Him and guided thee unto Himself." [Sher Ali Qadiani]
5. "And found thee wandering, so He guided thee" [Abdul Majid Daryabadi]
6. "And found thee groping, so He showed the way" [Mohammed Ali Lahori Qadiani]
7. "And He found you uninformed of Islamic laws so He told you the way of islamic laws." [Ashraf Ali Thanwi]
8. "Did He not find thee erring and guide thee?" [Arberry] 9. "And saw you unaware of the way so showed you straight way" [Fateh Muhammed Jallendhri]
10. "Did he not find thee wandering and direct thee?" [Muhammad Pickthal]
"(Lost) In Love with Him He found you. The way to Him He showed you"
[Kanzul Imaan]

I hardly need to tell you that all these translations are not of common Muslim men, but of people who may very well have studied the Sciences of Arabic Language in Full. However, every Muslim (including the aforementioned ones) knows that it is an article of Islamic Belief that the Prophet (May Peace be upon him) cannot sin or go astray in any way. Surprisingly enough, in the above translation/s we find some saying 'the prophet was wandering', others say 'lost'... These interpretations do not express the article of Islamic Belief that has been mentioned.

How could they have all gone wrong in their translations you ask? Well... In Arabic, the "daal" has got four different meanings. (Unaware, mixed, lost in love and lofty-tree) Whichever of these is appropriate on the occasion, should only be used.

Nothing should be fitted hurriedly which is out of sense or which kills other verses. Keeping to the dignity of the Prophet, 'Ala Hazrat has translated the word "daal" into "(Lost) in love".
A man of love talks of love. One who loved the Holy Prophet picked out the word "love" from 4 different words. A similar example can be taken from English. You would agree that in English too, the duty of the interpreter is to have an eye on various meanings and use only the appropriate one. It should not be twisted in a free style. Take an example...

"You must take interest in your childrens' future" Now the word 'interest' should be interpreted as
'1. a feeling of curiosity or concern', and NOT as 'Money paid for the use of money lent' [meanings courtesy of my nifty Oxford Dictionary (Paperback)]
It's evident from this that the translation should be appropriate in Virtue of the message behind the verse/statement. An interesting conclusion....

Its an interesting point that a translator should not only be interested in
making his translation interesting, but he should also make interesting the
interest of the message.