The Koran cover

The Koran

Rating 4.5
Word count
1.1M words
Chapters
113

Tags

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Koran (Al-Qur'an) by G. Margoliouth and J. M. RodwellAuthor: ,Language: English, Class: BP: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Islam, Bahaism, Theosophy, Other and new beliefs, Release Date: Sep 1, 2001

Editor's review

This electronic edition of an English translation of the Qur'an draws on Project Gutenberg's public-domain resources and presents the translations of G. Margoliouth and J. M. Rodwell, one of the more widely circulated English versions of the Islamic scripture. Its value lies first in accessibility: it is free, public, and easy to search and cite, making it suitable as an introductory text for studying the scripture. Second, Rodwell's translation is known for arranging the chapters in chronological order, which offers some reference value for understanding the historical layers of the text. One caveat: this electronic edition is an English translation and includes no notes, introduction, or scholarly apparatus, so readers without a background in religious history or Arabic may struggle to grasp the context of the text. Overall, this is a classic translation suitable for comparative reading and reference, not a fully annotated edition; it should be read alongside a reliable introduction or scholarly materials.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • General readers with a preliminary interest in the Islamic scripture who wish to read an English translation directly
  • Students of religious studies or comparative religion using it as a supplementary course text
  • Readers who need to cite a public-domain English translation for writing or translation practice
  • Readers accustomed to e-reading who want free access to classic texts

Not a good fit for

  • Beginners seeking detailed notes, introductions, and historical background commentary
  • Religious studies scholars who need the Arabic original for comparison or professional exegesis
  • Readers expecting a Chinese translation or unaccustomed to reading English religious texts

Reading tips

  1. Read a reliable introduction to the Qur'an first to understand the chapter arrangement and historical background before entering the text
  2. Read through in the chronological order of Rodwell's translation, noting changes in chapter length and theme
  3. Mark difficult passages first, then consult scholarly notes or reference works after finishing each chapter
  4. Read alongside other public-domain English translations to observe how different word choices shape understanding

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

Contents

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
  22. 22
  23. 23
  24. 24
  25. 25
  26. 26
  27. 27
  28. 28
  29. 29
  30. 30
  31. 31
  32. 32
  33. 33
  34. 34
  35. 35
  36. 36
  37. 37
  38. 38
  39. 39
  40. 40
  41. 41
  42. 42
  43. 43
  44. 44
  45. 45
  46. 46
  47. 47
  48. 48
  49. 49
  50. 50
  51. 51
  52. 52
  53. 53
  54. 54
  55. 55
  56. 56
  57. 57
  58. 58
  59. 59
  60. 60
  61. 61
  62. 62
  63. 63
  64. 64
  65. 65
  66. 66
  67. 67
  68. 68
  69. 69
  70. 70
  71. 71
  72. 72
  73. 73
  74. 74
  75. 75
  76. 76
  77. 77
  78. 78
  79. 79
  80. 80
  81. 81
  82. 82
  83. 83
  84. 84
  85. 85
  86. 86
  87. 87
  88. 88
  89. 89
  90. 90
  91. 91
  92. 92
  93. 93
  94. 94
  95. 95
  96. 96
  97. 97
  98. 98
  99. 99
  100. 100
  101. 101
  102. 102
  103. 103
  104. 104
  105. 105
  106. 106
  107. 107
  108. 108
  109. 109
  110. 110
  111. 111
  112. 112
  113. 113

FAQ

Does this edition include notes and an introduction?
According to the available information, this electronic edition is a public-domain English translation released by Project Gutenberg and is not described as including notes, an introduction, or scholarly apparatus. Readers are advised to keep a religious history introduction or annotated scholarly edition on hand as a supplement in order to understand the historical context and arrangement of the text.
What are the features of Rodwell's translation?
J. M. Rodwell's English translation is known for rearranging the chapters in chronological order, an arrangement that helps readers observe thematic changes in the text across different periods. However, the translation is relatively early, its language is rather archaic, and this electronic edition does not include the translator's notes, so readers must learn about its translation principles on their own.
Can I read this translation without knowing Arabic?
Yes. This is an English translation and does not require a knowledge of Arabic, but religious scripture involves a great many historical, legal, and theological concepts, and understanding will be limited without background knowledge. It is advisable to use a reliable introductory work and look things up as you read, rather than understanding the text only literally.
Is it suitable as a source for academic citation?
As a public-domain English translation, it can be used for general citation and textual comparison, but academic writing usually requires noting the translator, edition, and publication information, and annotated scholarly editions should be preferred. For formal research, check paper or authoritative electronic editions rather than relying solely on a single public-domain text.

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