(Surah 2:2) Al Baqarah /The Cow

Salam,

Al Baqarah (The Cow)

ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

(2) This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;

If you had notice, the Arabic words “zalika” normally mean “that” but have you wonder why most of the English translation on the above word mean “this”?

Surah Baqarah (2) “zalikalkitab” should mean “that is the Book” instead of “This is the Book”.

If you check in the website “Tanzil.net” there are 13 English translations only two translators Arberry and Qaribullah&Darwish translated the word correctly as “that is the Book”; and one translator Sarwar translated it in a different way as “There is no doubt that this Book” while the rest translated it as “This is the Book”.

There are sure to be some reasons why most of the translators take “zalika” to mean “this” rather than “that”. The obvious reason maybe they follow the views of the majority of the Muslim scholars who do not believe there was any physical book at the time of Prophet Muhammad. As such it is not an easy task to explain when it is said: “That is the Book” which insinuate the presence of a physical item which can be pointed at when the belief is otherwise.

Nevertheless the Quran support there is a Book during the lifetime of the Prophet.

And they say: “Tales of the ancients, which he has caused to be written: and they are dictated before him morning and evening.” (Surah 25:5)

Asar