Translation Strategies of Arabic–Malay Religious Texts: A Systematic Review of Scopus-Indexed Literature

Mohamad Rofian Ismail, Muhammad Firdaus Abdul Manaf, Ahmad Zulfadhli Nokman, Ahmad Redzaudin Ghazali, Khairatul Akmar Abdul Latif, Lookman Chaka and Muhammad Rodhi Hamzah
Additional contact information
Mohamad Rofian Ismail: Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Terengganu, Kampus Dungun, Terengganu
Muhammad Firdaus Abdul Manaf: Universiti Teknologi MaraAcademy of Contemporary Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, Kampus Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan
Ahmad Zulfadhli Nokman: Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Terengganu, Kampus Dungun, Terengganu
Ahmad Redzaudin Ghazali: Training and Development Unit, ICESCO Education Centre in Malaysia, Selangor Islamic University
Khairatul Akmar Abdul Latif: Faculty of Islamic Studies & Civilisation, Selangor Islamic University,
Lookman Chaka: Department of Arabic Language (International), Academy of Islamic and Arabic Studies, Princess of Naradhiwas University
Muhammad Rodhi Hamzah: Higher and Lifelong Learning Unit, Islamic Education Division, Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 22, 08-14

Abstract: This study addresses the lack of a comprehensive synthesis of translation strategies in Arabic–Malay religious texts despite the growing body of research. Guided by the PRISMA framework, it systematically reviews 15 Scopus-indexed studies published between 2011 and 2025 to identify recurring patterns, strengths, and gaps. The findings reveal that explicitation is the most frequently applied strategy, followed by functional equivalents, which together ensure cultural clarity and acceptability. Other strategies such as transference, calque, and literal translation are also used to maintain cultural and linguistic identity. Qur’anic translation, however, requires greater sensitivity to rhetorical devices, euphemisms, and lexico-semantic nuances. Although machine and neural-based translation tools show potential, they still require human post-editing to safeguard theological accuracy. Overall, this review maps the evolution of strategies from traditional to technology-assisted approaches and underscores their pedagogical and practical implications. It also highlights directions for future research, including expansion beyond Qur’anic texts, integration of cognitive and reader-response perspectives, and critical evaluation of AI-assisted translation in balancing accuracy with cultural fidelity.

Date: 2025
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ ... 08-14-202510_pdf.pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ ... sindexed-literature/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:i:22:p:08-14

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science is currently edited by Dr. Nidhi Malhan

More articles in International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science from International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Dr. Pawan Verma ().