Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar's pioneering efforts bridged cultural and religious divides, offering fresh perspectives on Islamic texts and advocating for women's rights within the faith. Her scholarly work continues to inspire and educate across generations.

  Laleh Bakhtiar is a name that many people know because of her groundbreaking work in translating and interpreting Islamic texts. She is an author, scholar, and a woman who worked hard to make sure that people understand Islam in a way that is true to its values of peace, justice, and respect for all people. Laleh Bakhtiar is known for being one of the first women to challenge some old traditions about how women and Islam are viewed. Her contributions have helped many people, especially women, understand their rights and roles in Islam.   In this article, we will take a closer look at her life, her family, and her work, which has inspired so many people. We will also learn about the important things she did to change the way people think about Islam, women, and religion.

 

Personal & Biographical Information

• Full Name: Laleh Mehree Bakhtiar

• Birth Name: Mary Nell Bakhtiar

• Date of Birth: July 29, 1938

• Place of Birth: Tehran, Imperial State of Iran

• Date of Death: October 18, 2020

• Place of Death: Chicago, Illinois, USA

• Nationality: Iranian-American

• Religion: Converted to Islam in 1964

• Languages: English, Persian, Arabic

Family Background

• Father: Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar – First Iranian to earn a medical degree in the U.S. (Syracuse University, 1926)

• Mother: Helen Jeffreys Bakhtiar – American nurse and public health worker in Iran

• Siblings: Jim Bakhtiar (brother) – Psychiatrist and former American football player

• Spouse: Nader Ardalan (m. 1960; div. 1976)

• Children: Mani Helene (Farhadi), Iran Davar Ardalan, Karim Ardalan

• Grandchildren: Eight

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in History: Chatham College, Pennsylvania (1960)

• Master of Arts in Philosophy: Institution not specified

• Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology: Institution not specified

• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology: University of New Mexico (1992)

• Additional Studies: Quranic Arabic, Persian, and Sufism at the University of Tehran

Career & Contributions

• Occupations: Author, Translator, Psychologist, Scholar-in-Residence at Kazi Publications

• Notable Works:

  • The Sublime Quran (2007) – First English translation of the Quran by an American woman

  • Sufi: Expressions of the Mystic Quest

  • A Sense of Unity: The Sufi Tradition in Persian Architecture (co-authored with Nader Ardalan)

  • God’s Will Be Done (3-volume series on moral healing)

• Founder: Institute of Traditional Psychology

• Teaching: Lectured at the University of Chicago

Honors & Legacy

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Mohammed Webb Foundation (2016)

• Posthumous Recognition: WISE Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)

• Influence: Her translation of the Quran has been praised for its gender-sensitive approach and has been used in academic and legal contexts

• Legacy Projects: Her daughter, Iran Davar Ardalan, founded IVOW (Intelligent Voices of Wisdom), a startup aiming to develop a conversational AI based on Bakhtiar's work

 

Early Life and Background

Laleh Bakhtiar was born in 1949 in the United States. She grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. Laleh was always curious about the world around her, and from a young age, she wanted to learn more about different cultures and religions. Here are some important details about her early life:

• Birthplace: Laleh Bakhtiar was born in the year 1949 in the United States. She is of Iranian descent, meaning that her parents came from Iran, a country in the Middle East.
• Family Background: Laleh grew up in a family that encouraged learning. Her parents believed in the importance of education and always supported her in her academic studies.
• Early Education: Laleh attended schools in the United States and was a very good student. She was interested in many subjects, including religion, history, and philosophy. This interest in religion would later lead her to study Islam in depth.

 

Laleh Bakhtiar’s Education

Laleh Bakhtiar’s love for learning did not stop after school. She continued her education in many different places and worked hard to understand Islamic teachings. Laleh was one of the first women to get a deep understanding of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, and to share that understanding with others. Here’s a look at her education:  

• Studying Islamic Texts: Laleh Bakhtiar wanted to learn about Islam in a deep and meaningful way. She studied Islamic texts, including the Quran and Hadith (the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). She wanted to make sure she understood the true teachings of Islam.
• Degree in Psychology: In addition to her studies in religion, Laleh also studied psychology. This helped her understand people better and become a more thoughtful and caring scholar.
• International Studies: Laleh also traveled and studied abroad, particularly in the Middle East, where she deepened her knowledge of Islamic culture and language. She was able to connect with scholars and gain new insights into Islamic teachings.
• Scholarship and Teaching: Laleh Bakhtiar became known as a scholar, someone who had a deep understanding of Islamic texts and teachings. She later became a teacher, sharing her knowledge with students around the world.

 

Major Achievements and Contributions

Laleh Bakhtiar is best known for her work in translating the Quran. She did something very important that many people had not done before—she translated the Quran into English in a way that respected the original meanings but was also easy for people to understand. Her translation was unique because she paid special attention to the role of women in Islam and challenged some common misunderstandings about what the Quran teaches.   Here are some of her most important achievements:  

1. The First Woman to Translate the Quran into English: Laleh Bakhtiar is famous for being one of the first women to translate the Quran into English. Her translation is unique because it focused on making the meanings of the Quran clear, especially for English-speaking Muslims and non-Muslims who wanted to learn more about Islam.
2. Challenging Misunderstandings About Women in Islam: One of Laleh’s biggest goals was to show the true role of women in Islam. For many years, some people believed that Islam treated women poorly. Laleh worked hard to show that Islam actually gives women many rights and that they are valued and respected in the religion. She argued that many of the traditions that were harmful to women were based on misunderstandings or cultural practices, not the teachings of Islam itself.
3. The "Woman's Quran": Laleh Bakhtiar’s translation of the Quran became known as the "Woman's Quran." In this version, she worked to highlight the positive teachings about women in Islam. She also carefully explained the verses that were often misunderstood to show that Islam encourages respect for women and equality between men and women in many areas.
4. Focus on Spiritual and Social Justice: Laleh Bakhtiar was also very focused on making sure that Islam’s teachings were understood as promoting justice for all people. She wanted everyone—men and women, young and old, rich and poor—to be treated equally. She worked on translating Islamic teachings in a way that showed how important fairness and social justice are in Islam.
5. Author and Speaker: Laleh Bakhtiar wrote many books and articles about Islam. She became a well-known speaker, traveling around the world to give lectures about the Quran and the importance of understanding Islam in the right way. She spoke to both Muslims and non-Muslims to help them understand the religion better.

 

Personal Life and Family

Laleh Bakhtiar’s personal life was just as interesting and inspiring as her professional achievements. She came from a family that valued learning and supported each other’s dreams. Here are some details about her family and personal life:  

• Her Family: Laleh Bakhtiar’s family came from Iran, but she was born in the United States. Her parents were very supportive of her education and encouraged her to follow her dreams, no matter how big they seemed.
• Her Role as a Mother and Wife: Laleh was a mother and wife, and she balanced her career with her family life. She was a role model for many women, showing that it was possible to be a successful scholar and also a loving mother and wife. She believed in the importance of family and teaching her children the values of kindness, respect, and hard work.
• Her Belief in Equality: As a woman, Laleh Bakhtiar faced many challenges, but she never backed down from fighting for what she believed in. She believed that women should have the same rights as men, and she used her voice to speak out about women’s rights within Islam. She always worked to show that Islam encourages equality and justice for both men and women.

 

Why Laleh Bakhtiar is Important

Laleh Bakhtiar is important because she made sure that the true teachings of Islam were shared with the world. She worked hard to make sure that people understood the Quran in a way that was respectful to both men and women. Her work has helped many people, especially women, find their place in Islam and learn about the rights and responsibilities that Islam teaches. Some reasons why Laleh Bakhtiar is important include:  

1. She helped people understand Islam better: Through her translation of the Quran, Laleh made it easier for people to understand the true meaning of the holy book, without misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
2. She empowered women: Laleh Bakhtiar’s work showed that women have an important and respected place in Islam. She challenged cultural practices that were harmful to women and helped them realize their rights.
3. She promoted social justice: Laleh Bakhtiar believed in fairness and equality. She worked hard to make sure everyone, regardless of gender, race, or social status, was treated equally.

    Laleh Bakhtiar is a true pioneer who made a big impact on how we understand Islam and the role of women in the religion. Through her work, she has helped many people around the world understand the Quran in a way that is true to its original teachings. Her dedication to justice, equality, and education continues to inspire people of all ages, especially women. Laleh’s life reminds us that with hard work, faith, and dedication, anyone can make a difference and bring positive change to the world.