To understand the Qur'an, it is necessary that one should know the translation of every word of the Verses. It is very difficult to understand the Qur'an without knowledge of the meanings of the Arabic words. Therefore, to overcome this difficulty and to convey to the people the accurate meaning of the Qur'anic Verses, we are producing the word-for-word translation of the meanings of the Noble Qur'an. Since mere word-for-word translation itself does not lead to complete understanding, we have produced the idiomatic translation also in order to allow the readers to see the word-for-word translation of the Arabic Verses along with the idiomatic one on the same page.
All the present English translations of the meanings of the Qur'an are idiomatic. Such translations are not designed to help the reader learn the meanings of each Arabic word. Therefore, the readers and reciters simply proceed forward without knowledge of the Arabic vocabulary used in the Verses. But when one knows the meanings of each Arabic word of the Verse, then whether he himself recites the Qur'an, or listens to some other's recitation, he gets the pleasure of understanding it.
The real marvel of the Qur'an comes with its understanding. The Qur'an itself emphasizes this point:
"And indeed, We have made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember; then is there any that will remember?" (Surat Al-Qamar, 54:40)
Also Allah has encouraged us to contemplate the meanings of the Qur'an. We receive blessings for its recital, but mere recital alone in melodious tone is not the goal of Qur'anic recitation. The intent of reading the Qur'an should be to reflect upon and understand the address of Allah Himself to mankind. Allah says:
"Do they not then think deeply (contemplate) in the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)?" (Surat Muhammad, 47:24)
If one approaches the Qur'an with the intent of reflecting upon its meanings, then he achieves the full objective of the Qur'an's revelation, which is guidance for mankind. As Allah says:
"The month of Ramadan, in which the Qur'an was revealed as a guidance for mankind." (Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:185)
It may be that the native speakers of Arabic do not give much importance to the word-for-word translation, but they will know its importance if they ask any non-Arab Muslim about it. This will be especially clear after one has gone through this translation of the Qur'an which we have produced. After studying this translation, the native English speaker will relate how pleased he is with his increased understanding of the Qur'anic recitation.
