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Translation of the Sahih Muslim Commentary by Imam Nawawi (RH): An Opportunity for

the Wider Muslim Community to Gain Access to Significant Islamic Works

Note

This project proposal was prepared by Mr Halim Erbasi and Mr Adem Temel in

November 2015 on behalf of the Islamic Community Milli Görüş in Australia.

Correspondence concerning this proposal should be addressed to Adem Temel,

Islamic Community Milli Görüş, 1575 Hume Highway, Campbellfield, Victoria, 3061,

Australia. E-mail: temel.adem@gmail.com

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Translation of the Sahih Muslim Commentary by Imam Nawawi (RH): An Opportunity for

the Wider Muslim Community to Gain Access to Significant Islamic Works

1.0 Introduction

Islamic Community Milli Görüş (ICMG) in Australia is excited to commence an

important project that involves translating one of the best commentaries of Sahih Muslim by

the renowned scholar Imam Nawawi (RH). The voluminous commentary is entitled Al-

Minhaj; ICMG aims to coordinate the translation of this literature from Arabic into English

by Adil Salihi. It is anticipated that this work will help assist English speaking Muslims to

have a better understanding of prophetic traditions (i.e., hadiths).

Al-Minhaj is a full commentary of Sahih Muslim, one of the Sunni canonical hadith

collections. The author and scholar of the commentary, Imam Nawawi (RH), is an approved

authority in the field of hadith by the consensus of Sunni scholars. It is the first time in

history that a full hadith commentary of any of the six canonical hadith collections is to be

translated from Arabic into English. Thus, it is a great opportunity for seekers of knowledge

to gain access to the detailed understandings of hadith directly from a scholastic source.

Adil Salahi has accepted to participate in this project with great interest and

enthusiasm. He is currently one of the most active Arabic to English translators in the field of

Islamic books and has gained multiple degrees in English literature and translation. His

experience on immensely challenging projects is not new. Previously, he has undertaken and

successfully translated the exegesis of the Quran by the author Sayyid Qutb, which is an 18

volume work. He has many other books translated from Arabic and introduced to English

readers, however, his 18 volume translation entitled “In the Shade of Quran” is proven to be

his greatest achievement.

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2.0 Timeline

Table 1 presents a list of tasks that are expected to be achieved by will of Allah (S.T.),

as well as an estimated timeline for completion of this project.

Table 1. Estimated Timeline for Completion of the Project: Translation of Sahih Muslim

Commentary by Imam Nawawi (RH)

Year
Task 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Launch of Facebook page for
this project.
Construction of a website for
this project. Progress of the
project, our team, sponsors, and
contact details will be available
on the website.
Translation of Al- Minhaj which
consists of 18 volumes (240-250
pages per volume).
Review of translated work.
Publishing translated work.

Note. • The English version of Al-Minhaj is predicted to be about 13 to 14 volumes, each

comprised of 500 pages including all hadiths in Arabic and a detailed index. The

target is to translate two volumes per year, chronologically starting from the

introduction and chapter of iman.

• Currently, our team is communicating with Islamic Foundation UK (publisher).

Potentially a publisher from Turkey may also take part in this project.

• ICGM aims to recruit at least two independent reviewers to provide feedback on the

translated literature. At this stage, our team is considering two reviewers within the

publishing house Islamic Foundation UK and the director of Cambridge University

College Dr. Abdul Hakim Murad. ICGM is open to other suggestions.

• At present, ICGM has received positive feedback and encouragement to pursue this

project from Islamic Foundation UK and Hasena (a global charity organisation).

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3.0 Budget

Resources that are required for the completion of the project are shown in Table 2. The

funding requirements are estimates and will be updated over the course of the project.

Table 2. Expected Resource Requirements to Complete Project

$ Amount Total
Detailed Budget
Requested
Personnel
Full-time translator 368,000
$230 AUD for every 1000 words translated.
It is predicted that the project requires a translation of 1,600,000
million words which will cost:
1600000 / 1000 = 1600
1600 x 230 = $368,000 AUD

2 x independent reviewer 15,000

$7,500 AUD (fixed cost per reviewer)
7,500 x 2 = $15,000 AUD
Sub-total $383,000
Other
Editing and typesetting (including dedicated index volume) 122,500
$25hr x 350hrs per volume = $8750 AUD
8750 x 14 (volumes) = $122,500

Printing 105+
$3.00 per 200 pages
500 pages per volume x 14 volumes = 7000
7000 / 200 = 35
35 x $3.00 = $105 AUD per set
Number of sets to be confirmed
Sub-total $122,500+
GRAND TOTAL $505,500+
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3.1 Justification of Budget

Personnel

Translator

A translator, who is a qualified professional, is required to investigate and then translate “Al-

Minhaj” in full text from Arabic to English. According to the UK market, this is costed at $230

AUD per 1000 words. The predicted amount of words to translate the complete project is

estimated to be 1.6 million words (i.e., and estimated cost of $368,000 AUD). Given that the

recruited translator will need to devote all his or her time to this project, the individual should

receive a wage on a monthly basis. A monthly wage of $4380 AUD was calculated based on the

project timeline which predicts a 7 year completion date.

Independent Reviewers

It is vital to employ two independent reviewers to investigate the accuracy of Adil Salahi’s

translation. The reviewers will consult, comment, and provide suggestions. A $7500 AUD fixed

price will be issued to each reviewer.

Other

Editing and Typesetting

Editors are required to best maintain the flow of text, fix grammatical errors, and work on

the book structure of the translation without altering the meaning. Editors are also required to

make sure the author/translator stays on track with the manuscript. The cost of this mandatory

service is predicted to be $8750 AUD per volume, costing a grand total of $122,500 AUD for 14

volumes.
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Printing

The printing and publishing of the manuscript is calculated according $3.00 AUD per 200

pages. The estimated amount of pages required for the complete project is 7000 pages, which will

cost $105 AUD per set (14 volumes). The number of sets to be printed is yet to be confirmed.

4.0 Summary

In summary, this project requires at least $4380 AUD per month to achieve project

completion within the allocated timeframe presented in section 2.0. We invite Muslim

organisations and communities to be involved in promoting this valuable project and being

generous with their support both financially and spiritually. Also, this is an initial project

proposal and we are open to further suggestions. Our team members would be delighted to

collaborate with others. We ask Allah (ST) to make this project successful by bringing great

benefit to the future of all Muslims and non-Muslims until the last day. May Allah, the most

compassionate and most merciful, the Lord of the worlds, accept all our good deeds and

forgive our shortcomings.