The Quran in English: How to Choose a Translation
Can the Quran be translated? A guide to well-known English translations — Saheeh International, The Clear Quran, Abdel Haleem, Yusuf Ali, Pickthall — and how to choose one.
Last updated: 2026-10-03
Most people who read the Quran in English are reading a translation of its meaning. Muslims hold that the Quran itself is the Arabic text; a translation is a human attempt to convey what it says. That is why many English editions are titled “The Meaning of the Quran” or “The Interpretation of the Meanings”.
Why translations differ
Arabic words often carry several layers of meaning, and the Quran’s style is compact and rhythmic. Every translator has to choose: stay close to the Arabic word order and accept stiff English, or write natural English and accept more interpretation. Some add words in brackets to clarify; others put explanations in footnotes. None of these choices is wrong, but they produce quite different reading experiences.
Well-known English translations
- Saheeh International (1997): clear, modern and fairly literal, with clarifying words in brackets. Widely used on websites and apps. It is the English translation shown in the Quran MP4 editor.
- The Clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab (first published in the mid-2010s): written in flowing contemporary English, with short notes. Popular with new readers and used on popular Quran websites and apps.
- M. A. S. Abdel Haleem (Oxford University Press, 2004): elegant modern English by a professor of Arabic, often used in universities.
- Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1934): one of the most widely printed translations of the twentieth century, in a formal, poetic style with extensive commentary. Revised editions exist.
- Marmaduke Pickthall (1930): the first translation by an English Muslim, in older English with “thee” and “thou”.
- Muhammad Muhsin Khan and Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali (“The Noble Quran”): very literal, with many interpretive additions in brackets drawn from classical commentary.
How to choose
- First reading: choose a translation in modern English, such as The Clear Quran or Abdel Haleem.
- Studying the wording: choose a more literal translation, such as Saheeh International, and compare it with a second one.
- Learning Arabic alongside: use a word-by-word edition. See transliteration and word-by-word Quran.
- Understanding context: pair any translation with a tafsir (commentary), because many verses refer to events and questions of their time.
Comparing translations on one verse
A good habit is to read a verse you find difficult in two or three translations. Where they agree, you can be confident of the meaning; where they differ, the Arabic is usually doing something a single English sentence can’t capture — and that is where a commentary helps.
Translations and copyright
Many modern translations are copyrighted. If you share a translated verse online or in a video, name the translation you used, and check its licence before publishing large amounts of it. The Arabic text itself is not anyone’s property, but a specific edition or translation can be.
Read free translations online: see where to read the Quran online for free.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best English translation of the Quran?
- There is no single best one. The Clear Quran and Abdel Haleem's translation are easy to read; Saheeh International is clear and close to the Arabic. Comparing two translations is a good habit.
- Can the Quran be translated?
- Its meaning can be translated, and translations exist in many languages. Muslims hold that a translation is not the Quran itself, which is why prayers are recited in Arabic.
- Is it okay to read the Quran only in English?
- Many people start with a translation to understand the message. Muslims are encouraged to also learn to recite the Arabic, at least the parts used in prayer.
This article explains common understanding and history for general readers; it is not a religious ruling. For questions of practice, consult a qualified scholar. See the disclaimer.
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