The Excellence of Kanz al-Iyman The major objective of a Qur’ān translation is to convey the meaning as best as possible without veering away from the original text, and at the same time handle abstruse verses [mutashābihāt] in a manner that does not cause doubts in the reader’s mind. The Qur’ān uses figurative language [majāz], and a shallow translation of such verses might contradict the fundamental tenets of Ahl al-Sunnah. Therefore, a translator should be mindful of these pitfalls, lest the Message be distorted. Kanz al-Īymān is arguably, the finest explanatory translation of the Holy Qur’ān in Urdu. Its major highlight is the meticulous use of appropriate language, when referring to Allāh táālā and His Messengers and utmost caution in the translation of abstruse verses. This is also unique because explanations are woven in the translation itself, and still, as far as possible, they remain close to the literal word. Arabic idioms are dexterously translated with similar or equivalent Urdu idioms. Another highlight of the translation is sahl mumtaniý – impossibly simple expressions – which Ghālib has extolled as “the apex of beauty in poetry and the apogee of eloquence”.
