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INTRODUCTION

Upon finding out the differences and similarities of the two sets of Medinan and Meccan surah from the two versions: The Message of the Quran -English language translation of the meaning of the Quran by Muhammad Asad and The Holy Quran -English language translation of the meaning of the Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, this writer has directed questions to experts in the field of Linguistics and Islam. The questions are those this writer has regarding the differences and similarities of the surah in relation to the original text. This writer then looks closely at each translator’s style of translating the same original text (the Quran).

The first noticeable thing that this writer came across is that Muhammad Asad begins his book on the left with pages running from the left side to the right side of his book whereas Abdullah Yusuf Ali begins his book from the right with pages running from the right side to the left side of his book. It is a known fact that any book written in Arabic, including the Quran in its original text, has its pages running from the right to the left side of the book as The Holy Quran -English language translation of the meaning of the Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

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THE STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF TWO SETS OF MEDINAN AND MECCAN SURAH BY MUHAMMAD ASAD AND ABDULLAH YUSUF ALI

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With regard to language and style variations, the language of the set of Medinan and Meccan surah from? The Message of the Quran- English language translation of the meaning of the Quran by Muhammad Asad is generally found to be Modern English, adult, religious-class, educated language. On the other hand, the language of the same set of Medinan and Meccan surah from The Holy Quran- English language translation of the meaning Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali is generally found to be Classical English, adult, religious-class, educated language. Some of the words used that give that Classical English effect are 'ye' instead of you, ‘doth’ instead of does. For example, in verse seven of Surah As-Saff,

(A) by MA

(7)? And who could be more wicked than one who invents [such] a lie about [a message from] God, seeing that he is [but] being called to self-surrender unto Him?

But God does not bestow His guidance upon evil-doing folk.

(A) by AYA

7.? Who doth greater wrong

???? Than one who forges

???? Falsehood against Allah,

???? Ever as he is being invited

???? To Islam? And Allah

???? Guides not those

???? Who do wrong.

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Muhammad Asad provides a more narrative prosaic style while Abdullah Yusuf Ali, a more poetic-like style. This can be discerned in the arrangement of verses by each translator. For example, in verses sixteen to eighteen of of Surah Al-Mursalat:

(B) by MA

(16) Did We not destroy [so many of] those [sinners] of olden days? (17) And We shall let them be followed by those of later times: (18) [for] thus do We deal with such as are lost in sin.

(B) by AYA

16.? Did We not destroy

?????? The men of old.

?????? (For their evil)?

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17.? So shall We make

?????? Later (generations)

?????? Follow them.

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18.? Thus do We deal

??????? With men of sin.

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The medium is written language but the two sets of Medinan and Meccan surah from the two versions of the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran contain representations of spoken language. For example, in verse fourteen of Surah As-Saff:

(A) by MA

(14)?? O YOU who have attained to faith! Be helpers [in the cause of God - even as Jesus, the son of Mary, said unto the white-garbed ones,] "Who will be my helpers in God's cause?"- whereupon the white-garbed [disciples] replied, "We shall be [thy] helpers [in the cause] of God!"

And so [it happened that] some of the children of Israel came to believe [ in the apostleship of Jesus] whereas others denied the truth. But [now] We have given strength against their foes unto those who have [truly] attained to faith: and they have become the ones that shall prevail.

(A) by AYA

14. O ye who believe!

Be ye helpers of Allah: