Bausani Il Corano.pdf May 2026

Alessandro Bausani's 1955 is considered the most authoritative Italian translation of the Qur'an, known for its linguistic precision, direct translation from Arabic, and comprehensive academic commentary. As a cornerstone of Italian Islamic studies published by BUR, the work is noted for its objective approach compared to earlier, polemical translations. For an analysis of Italian Qur'an translations, see this academic paper on Academia.edu Academia.edu

• Academic vs. Confessional: Unlike translations produced by religious organizations (like the Ahmadiyya or mainstream Islamic cultural centers), Bausani’s work is secular and academic. His goal was linguistic accuracy and historical context rather than theological propagation.
• The "Literal" Approach: Bausani attempted to translate the Quran "verse by verse," maintaining the somewhat disjointed or shifting narrative style of the original Arabic. This makes the text feel more authentic but sometimes harder to follow for beginners compared to "dynamic equivalence" translations that smooth out the sentences.
• The Target Audience: It is designed for students of Arabic, historians, and Italians who want a serious, scholarly understanding of the text.

Title: Bausani’s Il Corano: A Landmark of Linguistic Fidelity and Literary Modernity in Italian Qur’anic Translation

Introduction

Alessandro Bausani (1921–1988) was an Italian polyglot and scholar whose work bridged the gap between Western academic Orientalism and a genuine appreciation for the spiritual essence of the Islamic text. His translation of the Bausani Il Corano.pdf