Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Abdullah Yusuf Ali was born in a family of the Bohra community in Bombay, India, in 1289 A.H. 1872 A.D. His father, a merchant, was a very religious man who made sure that his son learned Quran before anything else. Upon completion of young Yusuf’s committing the entire Quran to memory, his father celebrated the occasion with a grand banquet, thus showing to his son the importance of his achievement and the importance of the Quran. In addition to studying contemporary knowledge at school, Abdullah continued to receive lessons in Arabic language and never ceased in his studies of the Quran.

He was a superior student who excelled in academic achievement and won the much coveted Indian Civil Service Award, a prestigious honor resulting from the extremely competitive entrance examinations for high positions in the Indian Civil Service. Abdullah was easily able to absorb English literature and was considered to be among the best of his fellow countrymen in writing English. Many of the most well-known scholarly magazines in India published his works and expressed their appreciation for his beautiful literary style.

Later, Abdullah left India for Europe and visited many European capitals and eventually resided in London for a considerable period of time. While in London, he was exposed to many translations of the Quran and continued to have a tremendous interest in it and its studies. He then began to closely study the Quran giving special attention to its various interpretations, both old and new. After studying what was written about the Quran in both European and Eastern languages, he returned to India and took up new residence in Lahore where he became the Dean of the Islamic College. He then began his monumental work of translating and commentating on the Quran. Abdullah later died in Lahore in 1367 A.H. 1948 A.D.

It has been more than 60 years since his complete work of translations and commentary of the Holy Quran was made available to the world. His pride and joy in The Holy Quran: Text, Translation and Commentary has made a tremendous impact upon the English-reading Muslims and non-muslims alike. His work is by far the most well-known, and most well-respected by ‘Ulama, i.e, Scholars, and ‘Amma, i.e, the general public, in the English language work of the Quran. It has enabled interested readers of English, who do not have a proficiency in reading and comprehending Quranic Arabic, to greatly enrich their understanding of the meaning and the incomparable beauty and perfection of the Quran. This distinguished work of Abdullah, Alhamdu Lillah, i.e, Praise is all due to Allah, has given the English reader a very authentic and reliable translation and commentary which they could make a serious study.

Abdullah was quick to point out that there can be no absolute or perfect translation of the Quran, and at best, only an interpretation of its understanding of the meaning can be offered. Probably, he never envisaged how universal his work would someday become, his intentions were initially to his fellow Indian countrymen. From a consensus view from the scholars and the general public, we today have been privileged to access such distinguished work in eloquent detail.

As is customary in today’s dogmatic world in ideology, Abdullah’s work has not escaped many short sighted attempts to discredit it. It has not escaped attempts to take it off its availability to humanity. You know folks! In this field of who accesses what, and who controls what is read, is not controlled by anyone but the Almighty Allah. He, Most High, has promised in the Quran, to protect the integrity of the Quran. And He, Most High, chooses and controls who gets to know what….

Go out and get a copy of The Holy Quran: Text, Translations and Commentary. In its introduction pages you should be able to access the authenticity of Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s work. In its pages are detailed his sources and methods in translation and commentary. And in its pages you will find that ultimate Absolute Truth fulfillment from the Quran that you have been searching for, as it did with me. We recommend to get a copy of the non-altered version of his work. Do not be fooled of the attempts of today’s quick to judge people in getting an altered version, and do not be fooled by the reviews of people who are not qualified to tell you not to get one. Whatever happened to academic-ship in studies by leaving the original work to itself and let the public decide on its effectiveness. The work of this studied and gifted writer has been a main stay in my daily life for the past year, and I hope it will be with you too…

AbdulQadir Hassan Mohammed
15 Ramadan 1421H, 11 December 2000