wingbean@blake.acs.washington.edu (The Flying Legume) (02/02/90)
In article <7254@wpi.wpi.edu> emx.utexas.edu!ut-emx!blais@cs.utexas.edu (Donald Blais) writes: > >In article <7145@wpi.wpi.edu> saadat@tcgould.TN.CORNELL.EDU (Irfan Saadat) writes: >>In one spot the NOI rep said that the first people to enter hell on the day >>of judgement are the blue eyed white evil people. He added this is mentioned >>in Quran. >> >>A quiz: Can the net readers guess what is this verse. > >Surah 20:102 Ta-Ha We shall summon bleary-eyed [ZURQ] criminals > . on that day. > > >Richard Bell's THE QUR'AN (1937), mistranslates ZURQ as "blue". >-- >Donald E. Blais INTERNET: blais@emx.utexas.edu In response to this question, I referenced the english translation of the Holy Qur'an as translated by J.M. Rodwell. I use this translation as it is heavily footnoted. I will quote Rodwells explanation of his usage here... First the verse... "On that day there shall be a blast on the trumpet, and We will gather the wicked together on that day with 'leaden' eyes:" Rodwells notes say: "I have adopted the word 'leaden' as expressive of the idea implied in the original word, viz. grey or greyish blue; hence, dulled, dimmed. The Arabians have a great aversion to blue and grey eyes as characteristic of their enemies the Greeks. The word, however, may also mean blind." Now, I am rather new to this newsgroup and I have a question for the regulars. For those not schooled in Arabic, what is the most commonly used english translation of the Holy Qur'an? Is there debate as to the accurateness of the translations? (this question would be applicable to the discussion of the accurateness of the Christian Bible). What is generally thought of J.M. Rodwells comments and footnotes as well as his translation? Thank you very much for your answers! Charles Cooper Wingbean@blake.acs.washington.edu