Best Urdu Translations of the Quran: How to C ..
Sep 01 - 2026
Best Urdu Translations of the Quran: How to Choose an Asan Tarjuma
Many people can read the Arabic of the Quran but do not understand what it says. An Urdu translation, often called an "asan tarjuma" (easy translation), solves this. It puts the meaning of each verse into simple Urdu so you can read the Quran and understand it at the same time.
There are many Urdu translations available, and they are not all the same. Some give only the meaning. Some place the Urdu under each Arabic word. Some add short notes to explain the background of a verse. This guide explains the main types and helps you choose one that fits how you plan to read.
First, know the three main styles
1. Plain meaning translation (ba-muhawra tarjuma)
This gives the meaning of the verse in natural, flowing Urdu. It reads like normal Urdu prose. It is the easiest to follow and the best choice if your main goal is to read the Quran daily and understand the message.
2. Word for word translation (lafzi tarjuma)
Here the Urdu meaning is written under or beside each Arabic word. This is slower to read but very useful if you want to connect the Arabic words to their meanings and slowly build your own understanding of Quranic language. Many people keep a lafzi translation for study and a plain translation for daily reading.
3. Translation with short tafseer notes.
This adds brief notes below the translation. The notes explain who a verse was revealed about, what a difficult word means, or how a ruling is understood. This is a middle step between a translation and a full tafseer. A full tafseer is a separate and much larger type of book, explained in our guide on what tafseer is.
How to choose the right one for you
Ask yourself three questions.
- What is my goal? Daily reading, deeper study, or learning the language.
- How much explanation do I want? None, a little, or detailed notes.
- What size and script suit me? A large format for older eyes, a compact copy for travel, bold script for weak eyesight. If you are not sure, our guide on how to choose a Mushaf covers script and size.
Below are widely used Urdu translations, grouped by who they suit best.
For daily reading with short, helpful notes
This is a short and clear Urdu translation with brief explanatory notes, prepared by Dr Israr Ahmad, a well known Pakistani scholar and speaker. It is popular with readers who attend dars sessions or listen to his lectures, and with anyone who wants a translation that also gives a little context without turning into a long commentary. On Babussalam it is the most viewed Quran product on the site, which reflects how many people search for it by name.
Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani is one of the most respected contemporary scholars in the subcontinent. His Aasan Tarjuma is written in modern, easy Urdu with short footnotes that clear up common questions. It is a strong all round choice for a family reading copy. There is also a separate volume edition for readers who want more room and larger print.
For word for word study of the Arabic
This is an easy word for word Urdu translation. The meaning of each Arabic word is given, along with a running translation. It is available as a single para (juz) booklet, as a full 30 para set, and in multi volume editions. The single para format is a low cost way to try the method before buying the full set. It suits students and anyone who wants to slowly learn how Quranic sentences are built.
A detailed word to word Urdu translation of the whole Quran. It is aimed at readers who want to sit with one page at a time and study the vocabulary. Keep this alongside a plain translation rather than using it as your only reading copy.
A two volume word for word Urdu translation. The two volume format keeps the print readable while covering the full Quran. This is a good study set for a home or a study circle.
For a clean, modern plain translation
A clear, easy to understand Urdu translation of the full Quran published by Darussalam. If you want a straightforward reading copy with no heavy notes, this is a safe pick.
A note on scholarly differences
Urdu translations sometimes differ in small ways because scholars follow different schools of law or explain a verse differently. These differences are usually in the notes, not in the core meaning of the verse. If a point matters to you, it is worth checking more than one translation or asking a knowledgeable teacher. Choosing a translation by a recognised scholar, printed by an established publisher, is the safest approach.
