"...And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious..."
The word “Da’wah” in Arabic simply means to invite (call) to something. When it is used in conjunction with Islam it is understood to mean “Inviting to the Way of submission and surrender to God.” Dawah is an obligation for all Muslims.
“Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.“
(Qur’an 16:125 – YUSUFALI)
“Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who go aright.”
(Qur’an 16:125 – PICKTHAL)
“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner; surely your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who follow the right way.”
(Qur’an 16:125 – SHAKIR)
According to modern Islamic theology, the Qur’an is a revelation very specifically in Arabic, and so it should only be recited in the Arabic language. Translations into other languages are necessarily the work of humans and so, according to Muslims, no longer possess the uniquely sacred character of the Arabic original. Since these translations necessarily subtly change the meaning, they are often called “interpretations.” For instance, Pickthall called his translation The Meaning of the Glorious Koran rather than simply The Koran.
"...And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious..." belongs to the following groups:
ART ACTION UNION - CREATIVE ACTIVISM, Art of the Middle East, Core [C.O.R.E], Current Issues, Designers United, For the love of type, Islamic Beauty, Religious Art & Photography, Typography and Visual Dawah Available for sale asT-Shirts
LetThemEatArt
The Arabic language is beautiful in terms of form/appearance, and no doubt in meaning too, though I don’t read or speak it. There is a permanent collection of Islamic calligraphic art at my local gallery here in Bradford (UK) where there is a large Asian Muslim population. I also know someone who studied Arabic in Berlin. It is interesting what you say about interpretations deviating from the original meaning. The Christian scriptures have been interpreted from Aramaic to Greek to Latin to English, but with great diligence and adherence to source, we are led to believe, though I have discovered there is one such anomaly in St.Paul’s Letters to Corinthians, so could be others too. But, overall, by translating into English it enabled ordinary people to read the Bible without relying on the priest as ‘middle-man’, thanks to William Tyndale. Do you think the same applies to the Rubaiyat of Omar Kayyam ?
Nuh Sarche replied
I know that many translators tried to translate the Rubaiyat of Omar Kayyam from original farsi to many languages… with different results…… some translations are great and some rubbish……. but all of them are interpretations…….........................
I was told, that to get the right meaning of words, one has to read it in original…. it’s like a letter from a loving person…. you want to get the meaning of every sentence in the nearest modulation of the meaning intended by the author….
but the way is very long……....................
thank you for this great comment and best greetings from Berlin
Eyal Nahmias
A well done artwork and I find your descriptions extremely informative, educational and clear. A wonderful artwork to be shared with members of the Art of the Middle East group that clearly brings to the front the gentle, and positive look on Islam.
Nuh Sarche replied
thank you, thank you, thank you… :)
chord0
The translation of the Rubaiyat by Edward Fitzgerald is very beautiful, although not knowing Arabic do not know how accurate?? I enjoy reading it. The book does talk about wine and drinking, rather unusual for the culture.
Nuh Sarche replied
thank you very much for this great comment….....
and Omar Kayyam wrote in persian language – farsi…....
Gregory John O...
I have read two English versions of the Rubaiyat of Omar Kayyam, both different to the point of me thinking they were different books. Enjoyed both though. I have read three different English versions of the Koran. The first one I read was a Pakistani english translation, and completely contradicted the other two I read. Until I had brought the recent copy I have, a Penguin Classic, I wondered why anyone found anything in it. Now I find a lot in it, and none of the anti Christian and Jew sentiment that I had been led to believe it contained.
I have read about six different versions of the Holy Bible, and the wording is different in each. No wonder the Word, what ever the Word is, is fought over so often.
Love the Tshirt design. Wish I could read Arabic..
Nuh Sarche replied
thank you very much for this wonderful comment Gregory.... :)
Dayonda
Beautiful, and a beautiful way of discussing religion. I have always hated being grabbed and having tracts stuffed at me. Show me who you are, and I’ll show you what or whom you worship.
Nuh Sarche replied
thank you for the visit and such a gorgeous comment…...... :)
greetings
Dayonda
Greetings Nuh. We haven’t “seen” each other in a couple of days! That’s almost too long!
Atma
I have bought this as a gift. It is just beautiful..
Nuh Sarche replied
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
best wishes and greetings
retepk
Superb. Wonderful calligraphy.
Cheers.
Nuh Sarche replied
thank you very much for this wonderful comment retepk.... :)
greetings
maka1967
Thank you for your description! Would like to know more about modern Islam.
I agree with what you said about the limitation of translation.
Rubaiyat of Omar Kayyam is one of the books I like the best. I prefer a recent version, by Peter Avery and John Heath-Stubbs. It starts with “Although I have a handsome face and colour, ... It’s not clear why the Eternal Painter/Thus tricked me out for the dusty show-booth of earth.” Don’t know if it’s good translation.