GRAMMATICAL AND CULTURAL CULPABILITY OF KORAN TRANSLATION MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS (AL-BAQARAH) IN WARFARE AND RELIGIOUS HARMONY VERSES
Abdul Muta'ali
(Universitas Indonesia, E-mail: )
ABSTRACT
Background of this research is numbers of religious radicalization in Indonesia which is based on scriptural understanding factor. In a relatively long period, religious understanding of Indonesian society is supervised by Koran Translation from Ministry of Religious Affairs. There are several mistakes found in its translation.
Purpose of this research is to analyze error translation of Koran verses. Content analysis theory is applied on this research with grammatical and cultural approach against Ministry of Religious Affairs Translation and hadiths. Method used here is qualitative. Collected data has been confirmed to certain parties such as Indonesian Mujahidin Assembly led by Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, Islamic Defenders Front led by Habib Rizieq, M Quraish Shihab, and groups of Koran interpretation experts at Centre of Koran Publishing and Translation in Madina.
Result of this research is a hypothesis stated 90 fatal errors in translation of Koran verses regarding infidels and polytheists. Theoretically, research implication concluded that a numbers of fatal errors in Koran translation might be play role in religious disharmony in Indonesia and more over impact to terrorism acts. In practice, this research is help understanding of Indonesian Muslim communities especially Ministry of Religious Affairs in order to evaluate the Koran translation.
Keywords: Grammatical Interpretation Culpability, Culture, Koran Translation, Disharmony
INTRODUCTION
Background of this research caused by a number of terrorism acts and religious radicalization which is based on scriptural understanding, especially warfare verses. Actually, scripture like Koran and another kind revealed to guide its adherents in reaching joyful and peaceful. However, because of the culpability of translation sourced from lack of knowledge of Arabic language in depth, then it impacts to various kinds of terrorism acts.
In one of National Agency for Combating Terrorism Seminar on 11th May 2011 at Al-Hikam Boarding School Depok, I was side by side with Ansyad Mbai as a speaker, He said that Indonesian terrorism acts within 10 years are absolutely alarming since it was built based on religious understanding spirit which is spread among youth who “falls in love with religioun”. That is to say, this young generation study religion instantly and less comprehensive.[1]Usually this youth circle study the religion through some books translation or religious sites contain certain lessons without elaborating deep knowledge infrastrucure in understanding religious texts. The majority if religious texts written in Arabic as Koran language. One thing to emphasize on is before reading those literatires we must have strong ability of Arabic to prevent culpability interpretation. Less of Arabic knowledge makes them read a book indirectly from the original version.
Generally, Indonesian society especially youth study the Koran through the translation version from Ministry of Religious Affairs and another translation textbooks. Finally, their understanding is strongly influent by the translator. Here is a very obvious example, in Koran Translation from Ministry of Religious Affairs, every single verse stated Qaatil al-Musyrikiina is always translated as “kill the polytheists”. Whenever the object is polytheist or infidel it must translated as “kill!”. Whereas morphological derivative pattern of qaatil derived from qaatala- yuqaatilu, which has meaning as “war with each other”. In Arabic, this verb segmented as verb pattern III which has resiprocal meaning. Kill and war are much different. Kill has individual meaning, tribal, and primitive while war with each other is more egalitarian since it is in state command region. There are war mechanism, who must be fought, and who has right to give war instruction. Therefore, kill is one way command while war has two ways communication meaning which has authorized instructor and officer.
In a relatively long period, Indonesian society religious thoughts is guided by Koran and its translation from Ministry of Religious Affairs. In fact, there are a number of errors translation on that literature, especially several verses about polytheits (people who believe there is another God beside Allah SWT), who may be killed whenever they found. If we ignore this culpability, there will be domino effect of violence terror which can blame certain religion. Questions on this research formulated to these two things:How far culpability interpretation happened in Koran verses translated by Ministry of Religous Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia impact to warfare verses and religious harmony and what is the concept of religious text translation?
These are wrong interpretation verses, it estimated as a motive that spread violence and terrorism. Here are the verses, word (1) qaatala-yuqaatilu. This word repeats 166 times in Koran and wrongly interpret 90 times. It influents many kinds of terrorism acts based on religion. Research about culpability of Koran Translation is actually not the first one. Muhammad Thalib, author of Koran Harfiyyah Translation Correction Ministry of Religious Affairs that published by Mujahidin Assembly on 2012.[2]On that book, Muhammad Thalib mentioned 17 verses from 3229 wrong interpretation verses. Different from Muhammad Thalib, focus on this research is Koran verses which are estimated as wrong interpretation verses for certain group, then created religion radicalization and terrorism. Muhammad Thalib explanation related to several things and still has bias interpretation. Besides, this research is identifying a number of hadiths that interpreted wrongy and cause violences.
Translation theory is used on this research. The basic of this analysis is text. Therefore, discourse analysis like Halliday and Hassan in Cohesion in Engish, Emily Apter in Translation with No Original; Scandals of Textual Reproduction are also used in order to analyze the text. Halliday and Hasan claimed that text is any passage, verbal or non verbal, as long as created one idea. The interesting part is the differentiation between text and non text based on public opinion. In their view, text is a structural sentences showed relations between them while non text is sentences without unity. [3]Then, Halliday and Hassan added some clues about text. First of all, text has tecsture since language is absolutely showed totality of its meaning. Secondly, text has relation marked by cohessive elements. Last but not least, meaning rwlation within text can be found semantically. In text translatuion, text often separated as two big groups, general text and specia text.[4]Koran is clearly special text, the meaning and purpose on it are also special. Therefore, it needs special understanding also. Usual culpability interpretation created special wrong understanding which has dangerous effects. Small example of hadith translation 'Buniyal Islamu 'ala saifin', translated as “Islam stands with sword.[5]Actually, the translation must be “upon sword”. In Arabian culture, when sword is placed above our head, means peaceful. Therefore, the correct translation of 'Buniyal Islamu 'ala saifin'is Islam stand upon peaceful.
Purpose of this research is to analyze translation culpability in Koran Translation published by Ministry of Relifious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. From temporer hypothesa, without subsracting academia capacity of scholars who translated this version of Koran translation, there are some grammatical and cultural culpability interpretation on it. This research is also written because of researcher background as a linguist. Researcher already hold Doctoral Degree (Ph.D) on 2007 with the dissertation title 'Perubahan Semantik Kosakata Serapan Bahasa Indonesia dari Al-Qur'an “Semantical Change in Indonesian Loanwords in Koran” (translation, the original one is Arabic version) from University of the Holy Quran and Islamic Sciences, Khartoum, Sudan. Except, researcher is also sworn translator (Arab to Indonesia and vice versa) DKI Jakarta Governor Letter of Decision No 1995/2011. The main researcher is also get certification of translator qualification exam from International Language Institution, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia No 025/LBI/FIBUI/UKP/VIII/10. Besides, the main researcher is a lecture at Linguistic Department Arab Studies University of Indonesia who teach Arab to Indonesia translation since 2008 until present.
Qualitative method is applied on this research with content analysis apporach. However, analys kind used here is grammatical and cultural against Koran verses and hadiths that estimates as the wrong interpretation one. Prime reference of this research is Koran Translation published by Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and Shahih Bukhari Hadith Translation contained 9750 hadith. Koran Translation from Ministry of Religious Affairs has began to published since 1971 until present. In this translation, there is no update and language adjustment. Procedural steps in this reseacrch are explained as follow. Firstly, collected and inventoried the translation of Koran published by Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia as well as hadith found in Shahih Bukhari Hadith. Here are numbers of wrong interpretation verses, with the result that cause various kinds of violence acts and terrorism. One of the example is word (1) qaatala-yuqaatilu. This word has 166 times repetition, and interpreted wrongly 52 times.[6]Then, there are about 90 mistakes found in hadith translation.Secondly, after inventoried Koran and hadith translation estimated as a cause of terrorism acts, research analys directly the verses with grammatical and cultural approach. Thirdly, for confirming culpability interpretation and result analysis, researcher also interviewed some resource person like Habib Rizieq, Chairman of Islam Defenders Front, Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, Chairman in Solo and M Quraish Shihab.
EXPLANATION
In this academic article, author gives an explanation related to culpability grammatical and cutural of Koran Translation published by Ministry of Religious affairs in Al-Baqarah surah.
Al-Baqarah consists of 286 verses talked about 3 things; three segmentation of people in facing Koran, oneness and God Power, as well as God warning to Bani Israel. There are (7) verses that has wrong interpretation grammatically and culturally, such as verse 28, 41, 91, 120, 130, 132, 191. For simplifying reference citation, if researcher wrote ATK, the meaning will be Koran Translation published by Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.
Verse 28
Text of this verse is: Kaifa takfuruuna billahwa kuntum wa kuntum amwaatan fa ahyaakum, tsumma yumiitukum tsumma yuhyiikum tsumma iaihi turja’uun. Religion Ministry translation: “Why do you infidel to Allah, whereas you were dead and Allah gave you life then take your life”.[7]
Wrong interpretation occured in the translation of takfuruuna billah it translated as “infidel”. In Arabic Linguistic word infidel is an isim fa’ilor active participle. Whereastakfuruuna billahis an imperfective or fi’il mudhari. In translation theory, although translation means forwarding message process, it is better for translator to use the same morpholigical form as long as they can use it with the same message content. Then, takfuruuna billah is more accurate translated as “you refuse the favors of Allah”. Strong reason of word ‘ka-fa-ra’ translation as refuse is berse 85 Al-Baqarah which stated ….”afatu’minuuna bi ba’dil kitaabi wa takfuruuna bi ba’dh. Religion Ministry translation: “Do you believe in some scripture and do not in others scripture?”[8]In this case the Koran translation is correct. Why verse 85 translated as “refuse” but verse 28 translates as “infidel” whereas it in the same context. Actually, this verse talked about proofs of Allah Power, not in a warfare context. The way of this translation can persue society paradigm to the profanism.
Culturally, Arabs commonly use the word "takfuru" (you refuse or lie) or "kafarta" (you lied) in the context of social science. For instance, "kafarta hubbi" (you lied to my love). However, if the use of the word "ka-fa-ra" is translated literally in Indonesian, the message is very much mistaken. Because the word 'Kafir' in Indonesian is the opposite of the word 'muknin'. The case is different with paragraph 34 in the same letter that is translated right. The use of the word 'kafir' in this paragraph is correct. "Illaa ibliisa abaa wastakbara wa minal kaana kaafiriin". Translation of Ministry religion "unless the devil, he was reluctant and arrogant and he belonged to the people who disbelieve"[9]
Verse 41
The text of this verse: wa aaminuu bimaa anzaltu mushaddiqal limaa ma'akum walaa takuunuu awwala kaafirin bih. Translated version of religious ministry: "And ye have faith in what I have sent down (the Qur'an) that justifies what you (Torah), and do not be the first person who disbelieves him. .[10]
In this verse , the word ' kaafir ' is using morphological form isim fa'il or perpetrator . so that at first glance it seems like a correct translation above religious ministry , " the first infidel ". Mutawalli Sha'rawi in the context of his commentary[11] on the verse of the Qur'an actually implicitly using the process and the stages of disbelief categorization interaction or community groups to particular holy book the Quran.The first stage , there are already people who are reading and believing but they do not practice. In the ideology of Islamic monotheism or type is called fasiq . The second stage, there are people who have read the Quran , but hesitated , called hypocrites . The third stage , there are people who have already read but do not believe, called Ahlul Kitab. But it is not an initial disclaim enmity with Muslims . The fourth stage , the Qur'an is the physical form of text . When text is presented , there is the attitude of some groups who do not want to read but still respect Islam , called Ahlul Kitab . While there is a fifth stage of people that did not want to read the Qur'an , but they refuse in Islam called kafir.In the context of this religious ministry translation , it seems to occur immediately jump to the fifth stage and ignore the stages one to four . Researchers propose a revised translation by taking the average of the meaning from the context of the verse . This is the offer ' And do not you be the first person to refuse to Al- Quran".
Verse 91
The text of this verse sounds : " wa idzaa qiila lahum aaminuu bimaa anzalallahu qaalu nu'minu bimaa unzila ' Alaina wa yakfuruuna bimaa waraa'ah ". Translation version of religious ministry , " When it is said to them , " believe in the Qur'an Allah has revealed , "they say," we just believe in what was revealed to us and they disbelieve in the Qur'an".[12]Cultural and grammatical analysis of this verse same as the analysis in the verse 41 of Surat al-Baqarah.
Verse 120
This verse of the text sounds, "wa lan tardha 'anka al-yahuudu walaa an-nashaara hattaa tattabi'a millatahum . Qul inna hudallaahi huwal hudaa . wala inittaba'ta ahwaa ahum ba'dalladzii jaa'aka minal'ilmi maalaka minallaahi waliyyin walaa nashiir. That is the Indonesian version of the Ministry of religion "by the Jews and Christians will not be pleased to you until you follow their religion . Say : "Verily, Allah is the user manual (which is true) ". And if thou follow their desires after the knowledge came unto you , that God is no longer the protector and helper for you ".[13]
Errors of translation in this verse occurs in the translation of the sentence lan tardha 'anka al - yahuudu walaa an-nashaara translated "the Jews and the Christians will not be pleased". In this verse, the word laa and lan both translated with "will not". Though the two different meanings . " Lan " means " will not " (never) , while the "La " means " no " ( no ) . If translated one by one supposedly " Jews will never be pleased " and "those Christians can not be happy ". Researchers understand " lan " and " la " translates the same as " will not " because of the presence of " wau " or connecting particles (and), so as to facilitate the readers likened translation as "the Jews and the Christians will not be pleased".In Arabic semantic grammar, this guide understanding of Indonesian Muslim society that Jews and Christians alike. However, if we see these days a lot of human tragedy committed by the Jews (Israel) which is contrary to human rights. If this is the case, the equation is of course detrimental to translation as a Christian, especially in Indonesia. It does not rule out the possibility of Muslim-Christian harmony disharmony as a Christian Indonesia equated with Israel Jew. Researchers propose new translation is: "the Jews different from Christians can, they want you to follow the teachings"
Verse 130
The text of this verse sounds : “wa man yarghabu ‘an millati ibraahiima illaa man safiha nafsahu. Wa laqadish thafainaahu fid dunya, wa innahuu fil aakhirati lamina as-shaalihiin” . Translation of the Indonesian Ministry of religion , " And no one hates the religion of Ibrahim except someone who reveals himself, and indeed we have chosen him in this world and in the hereafter he actually includes those pious.[14]
Translation mistakes in this paragraph contained in the translation of the word 'safiha nafsah ' which is translated into 'make a fool of himself '. In the dictionary Al - Mu`jam Al-Qasith, the word ' sa - fi - ha ' means not productive or useless.[15] In Arabic there are several levels of the meaning of words that has a field 'dumb' , the lowest so-called 'safiih', then 'baliid', and the highest level of dumb commonly referred to as 'jaahil'.[16] 'Saafih' is commonly interpreted to be useless. 'Baliid' is usually translated with lazy thinking, and 'ignorant' is translated by fools. thus the translation version of the Indonesian Ministry of religion has occurred immediately leap to interpret 'safih' using the third level . Of course this will make the leap significance justified stigma that people who do not necessarily believe in the doctrine of monotheism soon would be stamped. Though faith is a belief is a long process that takes a long time anyway . Someone should read first, consult with religious leaders in the faith and instill a confidence. So if we directly refer to someone who does not believe in the doctrine or ideology that we believe to be a fool , even though we both are looking for