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Alessandro Bausani’s 1955 translation of the Qur'an is widely recognized as the most authoritative and influential Italian version, balancing rigorous scholarship with literary quality. The work, often published by BUR, is esteemed for its historical-critical approach, extensive commentary, and objective treatment of complex theological concepts. Discover the 2022 updated edition at Il Corano. Edizione aggiornata 2022 - Amazon.it
In his extensive introductory essay (often published separately as L’Islam or included in the front matter of Il Corano ), Bausani frames the Quran as the verbal incarnation of the Divine Logos in an Islamic key. He compares its function to that of Christ in Christianity: just as Christ is the eternal Word made flesh, the Quran is the eternal Word made book. This analogy, while not orthodox for either religion, opened a comparative space for Western readers to approach the Quran with a form of “secular reverence.” Bausani taught his audience to listen to the text, not just analyze it. Bausani Il Corano.pdf
He argued that the Quran’s power lies precisely in what Western critics might call its “non-literary” qualities: the sudden ruptures of narrative, the oscillation between the majestic plural of God and the intimate singular, the hypnotic repetition of rhymes. In his translation, Bausani famously attempted to preserve the of the original Arabic, even at the cost of Italian syntax. For example, where another translator might write “By the sun and its brightness,” Bausani would twist the Italian to end with a stressed vowel sound that mimics the Arabic wāw or nūn . This choice was controversial; critics accused him of producing an unnatural, forced Italian. Yet, this very “unnaturalness” becomes a theological statement: the language of revelation is not meant to sound like a newspaper.
Bausani's academic career was equally illustrious. He held the chair of Persian language and literature at the Istituto Universitario Orientale in Naples, where he pioneered the teaching of Malay-Indonesian language and literature in Italy. He later moved to the chair of Islamic Studies at the Sapienza University of Rome. Among his vast bibliography of high-level scientific publications, Il Corano (1955) is consistently cited as his magnum opus, the only Italian translation that combined a comprehensive introduction and extensive notes. His other major works, such as Persia religiosa (1959) and La letteratura persiana (1960), further cemented his reputation as a leading international authority on Islamic and Persian civilizations. You can learn more about this work and
Alessandro Bausani’s 1955 Italian translation of the Qur’an, Il Corano , is considered a definitive, scholarly work that bridges academic accuracy with poetic, rhythmic language. This translation is widely valued for its neutral, philological approach, featuring extensive, insightful commentary that is essential for both academic study and interfaith dialogue. Readers seeking a "Bausani Il Corano.pdf" often require access to this text for comparative research, though they should seek out legitimate publishing channels to access the work. Share public link
: Analytical notes that help the reader understand specific cultural references that do not have direct Italian equivalents. Why It Is Highly Regarded Discover the 2022 updated edition at Il Corano
For the serious student of Islam, downloading a legitimate copy (via a library loan or purchase of a used physical book) is not just about reading the Quran; it is about understanding how a 20th-century mind grappled with a 7th-century revelation.