Contexts

The Qur’ān has a history, so do its translations. Ignoring that history would mean taking the risk of a dangerous generalization, which would affect our view on Islam as well as its representations in Europe. On this page, you will first find the introductory notes to the different editions presented on our website; each of these entries situates the text in its context: a 12th century translation obviously cannot have the same status in our eyes as a 21st century translation. Our contributors then offer you some additional studies in order to delve further into the history of the editions or to learn more about the sources used by the translators.

• Introductory note to the Cairo edition (1924).
• Introductory note to Muhammad Hamidullah’s French translation, as revised by Fode Soriba Camara, Mohamed Ahmed Lo and Ahmad Mouhammad al-Amine al-Chinquity, at the initiative of the King Fahd Complex (2000).
• Introductory note to Régis Blachère’s French translation (1957).
• Introductory note to Arthur John Arberry’s English translation (1955).
• Introductory note to Marmaduke Muhammad Pickthall’s English translation (1930).
• Introductory note to George Sale’s English translation (1734).
• Introductory note to the Russian translation (1716).
• Introductory note to Ludovico Marracci’s Latin translation (1698).
• Introductory note to André Du Ryer’s French translation (1647).
• Introductory note to Giovanni Castrodardo’s Italian translation, as published by Andrea Arrivabene (1547).
• Introductory note to Robert of Ketton’s Latin translation (1143), as edited by Theodor Bibliander (1550).
• Introductory note to Tafsīr al-Ğalālayn (15th century).

• Muslim exegesis in the work of André Du Ryer [in French].
• Catalogue of editions and printed copies of André Du Ryer’s translation [in French].
• Catalogue of editions and printed copies of Theodor Bibliander’s version [in French].