The Noble Quran – Interpretation of the Meanings (English Translation) by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali & Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan

The Noble Quran, translated into English by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, is one of the most widely read and widely distributed English translations of the Quran in the world. Published by Darussalam, it combines a direct English rendering of the Arabic text with summarized tafsir (explanation) notes, so readers get the meaning of each ayah alongside classical scholarly context in the same volume.

What Makes This Translation Different

Most English Quran translations give you the verse text alone. This edition adds explanatory notes in brackets and footnotes, drawing on three of the most respected classical tafsir works: At-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Kathir. It also cross-references supporting Hadith from Sahih Al-Bukhari where relevant, so you can see the authentic narration behind a ruling or explanation rather than taking the translator's word alone. This is why it's often recommended as a first English translation for new Muslims, reverts, and anyone studying the Quran in English without an Arabic-tafsir background.

Available Sizes & Editions

• Pocket (8x12 cm) — lightweight, thin paper, easy to carry.
• Pocket Plus (10x15 cm) — the same pocket-friendly format in a slightly larger size.
• Hardcover (12x17 cm) — durable binding for everyday use.
• Standard, Uthmani script (14x21 cm) — our most popular size.
• Standard, Pakistani script (14x21 cm) — same size and translation, set in Indo-Pak Arabic script.
• Softcover (14x21 cm) — lighter softcover binding at the same page size.
• Large Print (17x24 cm) — Arabic and English side by side, with tafsir footnotes, an index of Surahs and a glossary.

Pick your size and script above — price, stock and the product image update automatically for each option.

About the Translators

Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali was an Islamic scholar and university lecturer known for his work in hadith, tafsir and comparative religion, and for teaching across the Muslim world and Europe. Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan is known for his English translations of the Quran and of Sahih Al-Bukhari, both widely used as reference translations by English-speaking Muslims. Their joint translation, first published in the 1970s and later revised, is distributed by Darussalam and remains one of the most printed English Quran translations in circulation, including copies distributed by the Saudi government's King Fahd Complex.

Is This the Same Noble Quran Given Out at Hajj and by Saudi Authorities?

Yes — the Hilali-Khan translation is the same translation historically distributed free to pilgrims and by Saudi religious authorities, which is a large part of why it's one of the most recognized English Quran translations among Muslims worldwide. This edition from Darussalam uses the same translation text, with the tafsir notes and Hadith references described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a full translation of the Quran, or a summary?
It's a complete translation of the Quran into English. The "summarized" part refers to the tafsir (explanatory) notes, which are condensed from the longer classical commentaries of At-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir rather than reproducing them in full.

What size should I choose?
For daily reading and travel, the Pocket or Pocket Plus sizes are easiest to carry. For home study and gifting, the Standard (14x21 cm) or Large Print (17x24 cm) editions give more comfortable text size and margin space for notes.

What's the difference between the Uthmani and Pakistani script options?
Both are the same translation and page size. The Uthmani script is the standard Arabic script used across most of the Muslim world; the Pakistani (Indo-Pak) script is a distinct calligraphic style commonly used on the Indian subcontinent, which some readers find easier to read if they learned Quran in that script.

Does this edition include the Arabic text alongside the English?
Yes, all sizes include the Arabic text. The Large Print (17x24 cm) edition presents Arabic and English side by side for easier cross-reference.

Has this translation been criticized?
As with any translation, some scholars and readers have raised concerns about specific word choices and bracketed interpretive additions in a small number of verses. It remains, however, one of the most widely distributed and used English Quran translations, and Darussalam continues to publish it as a primary reference translation.

Is this suitable for a new Muslim or someone new to studying the Quran?
Yes, it's commonly recommended for this. The added tafsir notes and Hadith references give context that a verse-only translation doesn't provide, which helps readers new to the text understand the reasoning and background behind it.

Is this the same book as the "Noble Quran" given out for free at some mosques?
Often, yes. The Hilali-Khan translation is the one most commonly distributed for free by mosques and Islamic organisations, though the exact edition, size and printer can vary.

Does the page count differ between sizes?
Page count and layout can vary slightly between the Pocket, Standard and Large Print editions due to different font sizes and paper used for each format; the translation text itself is the same throughout.

Related Quran Editions from Darussalam

• The Noble Quran with Roman Script Transliteration (Premium Paper, 17x24)
• The Noble Quran with Roman Script Transliteration (White Paper)
• Study the Noble Quran Word-for-Word (3 Volumes, Colored)
• Study the Noble Quran Word-for-Word (Single Volume)
• Study the Noble Quran Word-for-Word (10 Juz Set)
• Browse All Quran & Tafsir Books