Reader Perceptions of Two English Quran Translations
(The Clear Quran® series & Saheeh International)

Summary of Conclusions

The study compared how readers perceive two well-known English translations of the Quran: The Clear Quran® by Dr. Mustafa Khattab and Saheeh International by Emily Assami (Umm Muhammad), Mary Kennedy, and Amatullah Bantley. It measured five qualities that shape a translation’s usefulness: accuracy, clarity, fluidity, formality, and overall likeability.

Here’s the core outcome in plain terms: readers rated The Clear Quran® higher across all measured attributes. What this really means is that people felt it conveyed meaning more clearly, read more smoothly, and still preserved a respectful, formal tone. The findings suggest clarity doesn’t need to be sacrificed in order to keep accuracy and reverence toward the sacred text. In fact, clarity emerged as the most crucial factor for readers in deciding whether a translation “worked” for them.

The results also show that language background matters. Bilingual or multilingual readers—especially those with Arabic knowledge—tended to notice differences more sharply and generally favored The Clear Quran®. This supports the idea that translators who are deeply connected to the original language and culture, and who also write naturally in the target language, are well positioned to produce stronger translations. The study further suggests that involving native speakers of the target language during the editing process can improve translation quality.

Overall Finding

Readers in the study consistently rated The Clear Quran® (by Dr. Mustafa Khattab) higher than Saheeh International (by Emily Assami (Umm Muhammad), Mary Kennedy, and Amatullah Bantley) on every measured attribute:

• Accuracy
• Clarity
• Fluidity (how naturally it reads)
• Formality (appropriate sacred tone)
• Likeability (overall preference)
  
  

The statistics confirm that these differences weren’t random. The Clear Quran® was perceived as more understandable, easier to read, and still respectful in tone, without losing accuracy to the original meaning.

What this really means is that readers didn’t see clarity and sacred tone as competing goals. Instead, they valued a translation that communicates directly and clearly, while still feeling like scripture.

Language Background Changed Perception

The strongest result came from looking at the reader’s own language profile.

Arabic vs non-Arabic speakers

• Arabic speakers favored The Clear Quran® much more strongly on clarity and accuracy.
• Non-Arabic speakers also preferred The Clear Quran®, but with a smaller gap.
• Both agreed that it communicated the message more clearly.
  
  

Knowing the original language seems to make subtle differences in translation more visible, especially when the translator captures implied meaning rather than literal wording.

English language groups

Three profiles were studied:

• English-dominant bilinguals
• English monolinguals
• Other-language dominant speakers
  
  

The English-dominant bilinguals showed the most significant preference for The Clear Quran® across every category. They noticed differences in clarity and accuracy most sharply.

English monolinguals liked both translations almost equally. Statistically, they didn’t show a strong preference in most measures.

The takeaway is that bilingual readers are much more sensitive to translation quality than monolingual readers. They’re used to comparing meanings across languages, so they detect nuance.

Why The Clear Quran® series Scored Higher

The author connects reader perception to the translator’s profile.

The Clear Quran® is produced by:

• A native Arabic speaker
• A memorizer of the Qur’an
• Formally trained in Islamic studies
• Fluent in English

• Supported by native-English editors who know translation issues
  
  

This pairing results in natural English phrasing without dropping the deeper Islamic meaning or tone. Readers see both clarity and respect for the sacred text.

In contrast, Saheeh International is widely respected and used, but the study suggests:

• More literal phrasing
• Less natural English rhythm
• Older or uncommon word choices
• Complex sentence structure
  
  

Those choices may affect comprehension, especially for readers who don’t have Arabic knowledge.

The Big Insight

The thesis shows a clear pattern: Clarity drives trust.

Readers want scripture to feel formal, but not cryptic. The tone can be sacred without being old-fashioned or confusing. Clear language actually increases people’s sense that the meaning is accurate. In other words: if someone can understand it easily, they feel closer to the original message.

Practical Recommendations

The author suggests several implications for religious translation:

• Prioritizing comprehension is not a compromise
• Involve multilingual native English readers as test readers
• Avoid over-literal transfer of Arabic grammar into English
• Modern English does not harm sacred tone
• Typography and readability also shape perception
• Translation should be a team effort, not a solo project
  
  

The study also hints that new translations will continue to appear as language evolves.

Author Attribution

Source: Alanbari, Nour. Readers’ Perceptions Towards Two English Translations of the Quran (Master’s thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2020).