arabic translation?

May 11, 2006 2:25 PM

Many years ago, I found this keychain on the ground near Columbus Circle in NYC. It looks to be solid silver, and there are identifying marks of some kind on the clasp and one of the links. The text appears to be Arabic...

http://static.flickr.com/50/144739537_581432b41e_o.jpg?v=0

After some googling, it's possible it was made in Egypt, as I found several keychains of a similar clasp design like this:

http://egyptian-gifts.com/shop/index.php?action=item&id=56&prevaction=pricelist

posted by modge to writing & language (6 comments total)

arabic translation?

The title of the post.
posted by raedyn at 2:36 PM on May 11, 2006

I've seen a lot of pendants and such like this growing up in the Middle East, and it is very likely a verse or a saying from the Koran. Sorry I can't tell you exactly what it is, but I'd bet dollars to donuts it's from the Koran.
posted by mckenney at 3:06 PM on May 11, 2006

That is indeed from the Qur'an. It is called "Ayat al kursi" which is verse 255 of the second chapter of the Qur'an, also known as Surat al Baqara.

A translation would be the following:

"Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory)."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2: 255]"
posted by convex at 3:42 PM on May 11, 2006

Excellent - thank you so much, convex!
posted by modge at 3:46 PM on May 11, 2006

Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory).

That is pretty
posted by growabrain at 5:28 PM on May 11, 2006

Modge, you can hear what it sounds like here. Just click on the Arabic script.
posted by leapingsheep at 8:50 PM on May 11, 2006 [1 favorite]