Laleh’s Timeless Legacy
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar (1938-2020)
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar was born in 1938 and spent her life in pursuit of truth within sacred texts. She came to Islamic studies with the rigor of a scholar and the devotion of a believer, understanding that translation was not merely a technical exercise but a sacred responsibility. Her journey began in earnest during the 1960s when she recognized that existing translations of the Quran often failed to capture the precision and nuance of the original Arabic. This realization became the driving force behind decades of meticulous work.
Her approach was methodical and uncompromising. Bakhtiar studied classical Islamic scholarship, linguistic theory, and the historical context of revelation. She consulted with leading Islamic scholars and spent countless hours examining manuscripts and commentaries. The Sublime Quran, her most celebrated work, represents the culmination of this dedication. Published in 2007, it stands as a translation that prioritizes accuracy over convention, restoring meanings that had been obscured or lost in earlier versions.
Beyond the Quran, Bakhtiar's scholarly interests extended into Sufism and Islamic mysticism. The Sufi Enneagram emerged from her conviction that spiritual development could be understood through Islamic principles and practices. This work bridged Eastern and Western spiritual traditions while remaining firmly rooted in Islamic theology. Her essays and interpretations continued to explore the intersection of philosophy, spirituality, and sacred knowledge.
Throughout her career, Bakhtiar published over fifty books and completed more than fifteen major translations. She worked as an editor, author, and translator, each role serving her larger mission of clarifying Islamic teachings for contemporary readers. Her influence extended beyond academia into the lives of countless individuals who encountered her work and found new understanding in texts they thought they knew.
Dr. Bakhtiar passed away in 2020, leaving behind a body of work that continues to guide scholars, students, and seekers. Her legacy rests not in accolades but in the clarity she brought to sacred knowledge, in the doors she opened for those willing to read deeply, and in the standard she set for what Islamic scholarship could achieve when pursued with both intellectual rigor and spiritual sincerity.
Her Life. Her Scholarship. Her Legacy.
Her re-interpretation of Quran 4:34 challenged the translation of "daraba" as "to beat," proposing instead “to go away.” This ethical correction supports Islam’s core values of compassion and respect and has even been cited in U.S. court cases.
Dr. Bakhtiar’s works bridged spiritual insight and academic rigor, tradition and innovation. Highlights include:
- The Sublime Quran — the first English translation of the Quran by an American woman, praised for its grammatical precision and gender-inclusive interpretation.
- Quranic Psychology of the Self — merging Islamic philosophy with modern psychology.
- Sufi Expressions of the Mystic Quest — exploring divine love through art, architecture, and tradition.
- God’s Will Be Done (3 volumes) — Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar’s integrated framework of spiritual chivalry, uniting Islamic psychology, ethics, and divine attributes to diagnose moral and psychological imbalance and guide practical inner healing aligned with God’s will.
- 150+ authored or translated works — View Books
- Experience the Quran in Laleh’s Voice
In 2015, Dr. Bakhtiar recorded a 30-part English recitation of the Quran to coincide with the sacred month of Ramadan.
Update From Laleh’s Family
It is with a profound sense of love and duty, that we share this tribute video with you. On November 15, 2020, Daisy Khan, Founder of WISE, Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality, honored Laleh with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This video offers reflections by Daisy, Laleh's children, Mani, Iran Davar and Karim, as well as some of the remarkable scholars who collaborated with Laleh.
"Current events have left Americans fascinated and frightened by Islam and Muslims. With no end in sight of the "war on terror" and questions about the compatibility of Islam with Western societies, the need for honest and accurate information about Muslims has never been greater. In the case of Muslim women especially, ignorance and sensationalism abound. What could be more welcome than an examination of the life of a Muslim woman who is neither a silent victim of oppression, waiting to be saved by a secular revolution, nor an apologist for misguided ideology, but an intelligent woman of faith and integrity? Laleh Bakhtiar has lived a remarkable life - but a life with which we can relate, because while some of her experiences appear exotic to the typical American, her values and principles are not. A biography of Laleh Bakhtiar is sure to shed much needed light - and humanity - on Muslims today."