The Representation of Women in the English Translation of the Qurʾān’s Meanings: an Analytical and Comparative Study

Abstract This article examines the representation of women in three English translations of the Qurʾān’s meanings: Hilali & Khan, Pickthall, and Bakhtiar, analyzing how different extratextual factors shape the representation of women and whether their representation in English is different from that in Arabic. Through a comparative analytical approach, the article highlights fundamental differences between translations of key gender-related verses (4:1, 4:34, 2:223, 2:228, and 30:21), illustrating how traditionalist interpretations often reinforce patriarchal structures. In contrast, alternative translations seek to reframe gender roles as more egalitarian. Translation is not a neutral process or a mere linguistic transfer but an interpretative process influenced by ideological factors. Therefore, this study highlights the need for context-aware translations that distinguish between linguistic meaning and exegetical interpretation. It also suggests that translators of the Qurʾān should clarify when interpretations are influenced by exegesis rather than directly derived from the text and mention the existence of other interpretations that might be controversial.