Interpretation of the Meanings of The Noble Quran (English)

Overview

This is the Hilali-Khan translation of the Quran, known widely as "The Noble Quran," rendered into English by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan. It pairs the Arabic text with an English translation and a summarized Tafsir drawn from the classical commentaries of At-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Kathir, with supporting Hadith references from Sahih Al-Bukhari worked into the footnotes. Darussalam publishes this translation across seven sizes and cover styles, from a pocket softcover to a large-format side-by-side Arabic and English edition, so the choice comes down to how you plan to use it rather than a difference in the translation itself. Browse the wider Quran collection, including Arabic-only Mushaf Madinah editions without a translation or Tafsir.

About the Translators

Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali (1893-1987) was a Moroccan-born scholar who studied at Al-Azhar University in Egypt, completed his degree at the University of al-Karaouine in Morocco, and taught Arabic at the University of Bonn in Germany. He served as an instructor at Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and as an imam and teacher at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, then joined the Islamic University of Madinah in 1968 at the invitation of Grand Mufti Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz, where he taught until 1974.

Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan (1927-2021) trained as a physician, holding an MBBS from the University of the Punjab and a diploma in chest diseases from the University of Wales. He worked within Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health and later served as chief of the department of chest diseases at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, alongside directing the clinic at the Islamic University of Madinah. He is also known for his English translation of Sahih Al-Bukhari.

Available Sizes and Editions

All seven editions carry the same Al-Hilali and Muhsin Khan translation and the same summarized Tafsir. What changes is the format:

• Pocket Soft Cover (8x12): the smallest and lightest edition, suited to carrying with you day to day.
• Hardcover (8x12): the same compact size in a more durable binding.
• Green Cover: a distinct cover design at a lower price point, for readers who want a straightforward everyday copy.
• 10x15, Medium: a step up in size from the pocket editions, easier to read without becoming bulky.
• 14x21, Hardcover: a standard reference size, comfortable for regular reading and study at home.
• 17x24, Hardcover: a large-format edition with bigger type, suited to extended reading sessions.
• 17x24, Side-by-Side Arabic & English: the same large format, laid out with the Arabic text and English translation side by side for readers actively comparing the two.

How This Compares to the Copy Given Out at Hajj

The Al-Hilali and Muhsin Khan translation is the same text used in the free copies the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran distributes to pilgrims and mosques worldwide, and it carries approval from the Islamic University of Madinah and the Saudi Dar al-Ifta. The editions sold here are a separate print run published by Darussalam rather than the King Fahd Complex printing itself, but the underlying translation and Tafsir are the same recognized work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which edition should I choose?

If you want something to carry with you, the Pocket Soft Cover or 8x12 Hardcover are the lightest options. For regular reading at home, the 14x21 Hardcover is a comfortable middle size. If you want to follow the Arabic text alongside the English translation, the 17x24 Side-by-Side edition lays them out together.

Is this the same Quran given out at Hajj?

It is the same Al-Hilali and Muhsin Khan translation used in the King Fahd Complex's free distribution copies, but this specific edition is published by Darussalam as a separate print run, not the King Fahd Complex printing itself.

Who translated this Noble Quran?

Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Their translation is one of the most widely distributed English translations of the Quran and carries approval from the Islamic University of Madinah and the Saudi Dar al-Ifta.

Does it include the original Arabic text?

Yes, all seven editions include the Arabic text alongside the English translation. The Side-by-Side 17x24 edition lays the two out in parallel columns; the other editions present the Arabic and English in sequence.

What Tafsir does this edition include?

A summarized Tafsir drawn from the classical commentaries of At-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Kathir, with Hadith references from Sahih Al-Bukhari included as supporting footnotes. For an Urdu-language tafsir instead, see Tafsir Ahsanul Kalaam, or browse the full Translation & Tafseer collection.

Is this a good choice for someone new to reading the Quran in English?

Yes. The translation is written in plain English and the footnoted Tafsir gives context for verses that would otherwise need outside explanation, which makes it a common starting point for English-speaking readers.

Do the different sizes contain the same translation and content?

Yes. The translation, Tafsir sources, and Hadith references are the same across all seven editions. Only the physical size, binding, and (for the Side-by-Side edition) the page layout differ.