A Study on the Exegetical Addenda to some Verses of Sūrat al-Kahf and Sūrat al-Maryam in the Contemporary Translations of the Holy Qur ān

The expressive style of the Qur’ān is in such a way that presenting its deep meanings and concepts is not possible except by adding exegetical phrases to them. In order to explain some verses, the translators have used manifested addenda in their translation. These addenda have often been made with reference to commentaries, books concerning the occasions of revelation, or theological (kalāmī) and doctrinal (uṣūlī) discourses. The present article has analyzed and reviewed the exegetical addenda to some verses of Sūrat al-Kahf and Sūrat al-Maryam by six Qur‘ān translators: Ilāhī Qumshi’ī, Khuramshāhī, Ṣaffārzāda, Fūlādvand, Mishkīnī, and Makārim Shīrazī with respect to the existing interpretations and traditions. In this respect, first, the verses and their translations are extracted, then the exegetical theories for explaining the translator’s task are set forth, and finally, the analysis and review is performed on the basis of the interpretations of each one of the verses. In the meantime, Mishkīnī’s translation is found to be in the highest harmony with interpretations and ideological contentions.