Questioner: My edition of the Holy Qur’an, with English translation and commentary, is read from right to left, as in Arabic and Urdu, but I’ve noticed that in later editions…Huzoor (rh): In right to left, yes, that’s right. Questioner: Yes, but I’ve noticed in later editions of the Holy Qur’an, it is read from left to right.Huzoor (rh): No, it’s not a question of earlier editions or later editions. It’s only a question of personal options by the author or by the management which is responsible for publication of the translations. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III, my predecessor, was of the strong view that it should be from right to left, as the Arabic is written. I personally believe that the Holy Qur’an here is addressed, is presented for the benefit of those who read it from left to right, read their languages from left to right. So, they cannot read Arabic anyway. If large numbers among them could read Arabic, of course I would agree with this and I would also continue the same practice. But I stopped that practice because of my personal preference in view of this argument. I thought because English-speaking and other readers who read from left to right, it is very difficult for them to turn pages. And because they are not concerned with the Arabic text, anyway it doesn’t make any difference to us either.
