Following email was received,
Assalaamu alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu
I believe you are a student of Mufti Taqi Usmaani. If so, could you please pass on to him this important message from me.

I am writing to inform you of a major error in the translation of the hadeeth in Mufti Taqi Usmaani’s book Easy Good Deeds on pg 35.
(9) BEGINNING ALL IMPORTANT

WORK WITH “BISMILLAH”

Recital of “Bismillah” when starting any work

is a sign of Muslims. Our blessed and exalted Prophet has said – Arabic

The translation of the Arabic writes:

‘Every important work not began with Bumillah remains imperfect and half clone”.

I find many grammatical mistakes in the Islamic books and think it is time our respected scholars take some time to check the final publications for errors before putting them on the market. It degrades the work that they are trying to do and incorrect translations like the above are blasphemous to say the least. I think it would be better to have fewer books of better quality rather than thousands containing any errors. I lack trust in them and am reluctant to give them to my students and non-Muslims.
Could you please reply to this email to acknowledge my message. Jazakallahu khairan.
Sincerely
Sr K A
Melbourne, Australia

The reply sent was,

Bismillah

As salamu alaykum wrwb

JazakAllah

I totally agree with you.

Please, keep in mind that most of these translations are being done by publishers. They are not familiar with English language and are hiring substandard translation services.

Books that are primarily written in English may be free from such mistakes. However English is not Mufti sahib’s mother tongue.

Some British and American publishers are trying to come up with better editions of these works.

I would like to ask your permission to publish your email on the website. This is to increase the awareness and importance of this issue.

Take care.

In need of your dua

abd
———————

This should encourage our Scholars who know Urdu to edit such works (fi sabil–lillah) and come up with reliable editions that are appealing to the contemporary readers.

Books by akabir have their own barakah.

If one assigns 20 minutes daily for such task within a year many good works will be ready for publication. Moreover, it will become perpetual charity (sadqa e jariya) from them.

Wa ma tawfiqi ila billah