Professor Muhammad Yaseen: First one to translate Quran into modern, idiomatic English

86-years-old professor Muhammad Yaseen has the honour to translate Quraan into idiomatic  English. The translation was first published by Walaayat Sons publishers in 2001 and goes by the name of 'The Last Message'. The young at heart professor has also compiled a first of its kind dictionary in the world – from Quraanic Arabic to English titled ‘The First Comprehensive Dictionary of the Great Quraan’ which is in the process of being published.

 

Professor Muhammad Yaseen was born in 1932 in Jalalabad (UP-India). He lost his father at the age of four and his mother at the mere age of seven. He was brought up by his paternal uncle Muhammad Saleem and his wife. Since the beginning of his academic life, he proved himself to be extraordinary and topped in matriculation.

When Yaseen was seventeen, tragedy struck him again. His paternal uncle departed from this world leaving him alone to fight his battles.  The tragedy or poverty didn't stop him from achieving his goals and he sold his pet goat for Rs 30 to get admission in Ewing Christian College, Allahabad.

It was at Ewing College that he found nourishment - both spiritual and mental- in reading. He exercised self-teaching through extensive book reading and became proficient in Urdu, English and Hindi.

From a voracious reader like Muhammad Yaseen, how could the words of The Great Quran escape? it was but the logical destination for this critical thinker to translate the heavenly message into English. Professor Yaseen learned Quranic Arabic to do justice to the translation. He began translating in 1960 but due to the ebbs and flows of life, he could only complete the translation in late 90's.

By then he was diagnosed with Glaucoma, he had minimal support but it didn't discourage professor Muhammad Yaseen from putting every effort to turn his dream - of translating Quran into modern English - into a reality.

Team daily Pakistan had the opportunity to interview Muhammad Yaseen. To view the full interview, follow the link:

https://www.facebook.com/DailyPakistan.OfficialPage/videos/1709341132466412/