Slovesnost – the Translation of Meanings
Why "Slovesnost"? The fact is that the word "Qur’an" (قُرْآنٌ) in Arabic means "reading aloud," "recitation." The Revelation was conveyed orally by the Messenger and was then written down on parchment. In the Russian language, creative work expressed both orally and in writing is referred to as "словесность" (slovesnost, literally "verbal art"). Therefore, the term "Slovesnost" most accurately captures the essence of the Qur’an phenomenon.
Regardless of one’s faith or nationality, many know that for many centuries Slovesnost has been the main sacred Prescript for Muslims. According to established tradition, Slovesnost was compiled after Muhammad’s death by his companions. However, Slovesnost itself states the opposite; it says that Slovesnost was compiled by the Creator:
"Do not move your tongue with it to hasten (its memorization). Indeed, upon Us is its collection and its recitation!" (75:16-17)
Afterwards, Slovesnost was written down and made public:
"By the Mount, and by a Prescript written on parchment, made public, and by the much-frequented House." (52:1-3)
It was recorded with the help of scribes:
"But no! Indeed, it is a Reminder! Whoever wills may remember it, in honored scrolls, exalted and purified, (carried) by the hands of scribes, noble and dutiful!"
Slovesnost was written on parchment, and the manuscript in the Al-Hussein Mosque (Cairo, Egypt) corresponds to this. This manuscript is the only complete version of Slovesnost. All others located in Samarkand, Sana’a, Saint Petersburg, as well as in the Topkapi Palace (Istanbul), are incomplete and are later copies made from this codex.
The language of Slovesnost according to Slovesnost itself is Arabic:
"Thus We have sent down Slovesnost in the Arabic language…" (20:113)
But this does not mean that it cannot be translated; there is no such prohibition anywhere in Slovesnost. Nowadays, one can freely download many Russian translations of Slovesnost and compare them with this proposed version.
Several variants of the orthoepic reading of Slovesnost have come down to us. Each variant goes back to different schools from the early period of the Islamic world’s development. But these rules of recitation do not affect the essence; the basis of Slovesnost is its consonantal skeleton. Vowel markings and diacritical signs were added later. An Arab or Arabic speaker can understand the meaning by seeing the context.
Traditionally, Slovesnost is perceived as a collection of 114 chapters, each filled with signs. However, initially there was no division into so-called verses (ayahs). In the original, there is only a division into chapters using the phrase "Bismillahirrahmanirrahim". If we count chapters separated by "Basmala", it turns out there are actually 113 chapters in Slovesnost, since Chapter 9 does not have a "Basmala," meaning it is a continuation of Chapter 8.
Accordingly, the names of the surahs are also a later tradition and are not part of the Revelation. What is special about this proposed translation? The overwhelming majority of translations are based on interpretations stemming from people’s established beliefs. In contrast, this work is based on contextual interpretation, where Slovesnost itself reveals the meanings of the theses. This approach minimizes human interpretation in the translation and allows the reader to come closer to the original text.
Slovesnost is addressed to reason:
"This is a message for forgetful people, so that it may warn them, so that they may know that He is the Only Originator, and so that those who possess intellect may reflect!" (14:52)
"A Prescript. We have sent it down to you as a blessed one, so that they may contemplate its signs and so that those who possess intellect may take heed!" (38:29)
Based on this, the author urges readers to take responsibility, to think for themselves, and to find answers to their questions independently!
Why "Slovesnost"? The fact is that the word "Qur’an" (قُرْآنٌ) in Arabic means "reading aloud," "recitation." The Revelation was conveyed orally by the Messenger and was then written down on parchment. In the Russian language, creative work expressed both orally and in writing is referred to as "словесность" (slovesnost, literally "verbal art"). Therefore, the term "Slovesnost" most accurately captures the essence of the Qur’an phenomenon.
Regardless of one’s faith or nationality, many know that for many centuries Slovesnost has been the main sacred Prescript for Muslims. According to established tradition, Slovesnost was compiled after Muhammad’s death by his companions. However, Slovesnost itself states the opposite; it says that Slovesnost was compiled by the Creator:
"Do not move your tongue with it to hasten (its memorization). Indeed, upon Us is its collection and its recitation!" (75:16-17)
Afterwards, Slovesnost was written down and made public:
"By the Mount, and by a Prescript written on parchment, made public, and by the much-frequented House." (52:1-3)
It was recorded with the help of scribes:
"But no! Indeed, it is a Reminder! Whoever wills may remember it, in honored scrolls, exalted and purified, (carried) by the hands of scribes, noble and dutiful!"
Slovesnost was written on parchment, and the manuscript in the Al-Hussein Mosque (Cairo, Egypt) corresponds to this. This manuscript is the only complete version of Slovesnost. All others located in Samarkand, Sana’a, Saint Petersburg, as well as in the Topkapi Palace (Istanbul), are incomplete and are later copies made from this codex.
The language of Slovesnost according to Slovesnost itself is Arabic:
"Thus We have sent down Slovesnost in the Arabic language…" (20:113)
But this does not mean that it cannot be translated; there is no such prohibition anywhere in Slovesnost. Nowadays, one can freely download many Russian translations of Slovesnost and compare them with this proposed version.
Several variants of the orthoepic reading of Slovesnost have come down to us. Each variant goes back to different schools from the early period of the Islamic world’s development. But these rules of recitation do not affect the essence; the basis of Slovesnost is its consonantal skeleton. Vowel markings and diacritical signs were added later. An Arab or Arabic speaker can understand the meaning by seeing the context.
Traditionally, Slovesnost is perceived as a collection of 114 chapters, each filled with signs. However, initially there was no division into so-called verses (ayahs). In the original, there is only a division into chapters using the phrase "Bismillahirrahmanirrahim". If we count chapters separated by "Basmala", it turns out there are actually 113 chapters in Slovesnost, since Chapter 9 does not have a "Basmala," meaning it is a continuation of Chapter 8.
Accordingly, the names of the surahs are also a later tradition and are not part of the Revelation. What is special about this proposed translation? The overwhelming majority of translations are based on interpretations stemming from people’s established beliefs. In contrast, this work is based on contextual interpretation, where Slovesnost itself reveals the meanings of the theses. This approach minimizes human interpretation in the translation and allows the reader to come closer to the original text.
Slovesnost is addressed to reason:
"This is a message for forgetful people, so that it may warn them, so that they may know that He is the Only Originator, and so that those who possess intellect may reflect!" (14:52)
"A Prescript. We have sent it down to you as a blessed one, so that they may contemplate its signs and so that those who possess intellect may take heed!" (38:29)
Based on this, the author urges readers to take responsibility, to think for themselves, and to find answers to their questions independently!