Exploring the Qur'an

Exploring the Qur'an PDF Author: Muhammad Abdel Haleem
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1786731657
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 362

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Book Description
The teachings, style and impact of the Qur'an have always been matters of controversy, among both Muslims and non-Muslims. But in a modern context of intercultural sensitivity, what the Qur'an says and means are perhaps more urgent questions than ever before. This major new book by one of the world's finest Islamic scholars responds to that urgency. Building on his earlier groundbreaking work, the author challenges misinterpretations of particular Qur'anic verses from whatever quarter. He addresses the infamous 'sword' verse, frequently cited as a justification for jihad. He also questions the 'tribute' verse, associated with the Muslim state subjugating Jews and Christians; and the idea of Paradise in the Qur'an, often viewed by the West as emphasising merely physical pleasures, or used by Islamic fighters as their just reward for holy war. The author argues that wrenching the verses out of the context of the whole has led to dangerous ideologies being built on isolated phrases which have then assumed afterlives of their own. This nuanced, holistic reading has vital interfaith ramifications.

Exploring the Qur'an

Exploring the Qur'an PDF Author: Muhammad Abdel Haleem
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1786731657
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 362

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Book Description
The teachings, style and impact of the Qur'an have always been matters of controversy, among both Muslims and non-Muslims. But in a modern context of intercultural sensitivity, what the Qur'an says and means are perhaps more urgent questions than ever before. This major new book by one of the world's finest Islamic scholars responds to that urgency. Building on his earlier groundbreaking work, the author challenges misinterpretations of particular Qur'anic verses from whatever quarter. He addresses the infamous 'sword' verse, frequently cited as a justification for jihad. He also questions the 'tribute' verse, associated with the Muslim state subjugating Jews and Christians; and the idea of Paradise in the Qur'an, often viewed by the West as emphasising merely physical pleasures, or used by Islamic fighters as their just reward for holy war. The author argues that wrenching the verses out of the context of the whole has led to dangerous ideologies being built on isolated phrases which have then assumed afterlives of their own. This nuanced, holistic reading has vital interfaith ramifications.

The Qur’an in Its Historical Context

The Qur’an in Its Historical Context PDF Author: Gabriel Reynolds
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134109458
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 311

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Book Description
Providing commentary on the controversial revisionist school of Qur’anic studies, this book explores the origins, scholarship and development of the Qur'an. The collection of articles, each written by a distinguished author, treat very familiar passages of the Qur’an in an original manner, combining thorough philology, historical anthropology, and cultural history. This book addresses in a critical fashion the hottest issues in recent works on the Quran. Among other things, the contributors analyze the controversial theories of Luxenberg regarding Syriac and the Quran, and in particular his argument that the term Hur refers not to virgins but to grapes.

Muhammad and the Empires of Faith

Muhammad and the Empires of Faith PDF Author: Sean W. Anthony
Publisher:
ISBN: 0520340418
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
Introduction : the making of the historical Muḥammad -- The earliest evidence -- Muḥammad the Arabian merchant -- The Beginnings of the corpus -- The letters of 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr -- The court impulse -- Prophecy and empires of faith -- Muḥammad and Cædmon -- Epilogue : The future of the historical Muḥammad.

New Perspectives on the Qur'an

New Perspectives on the Qur'an PDF Author: Gabriel Said Reynolds
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136700773
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 662

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Book Description
This book continues the work of The Qur’ān in its Historical Context, in which an international group of scholars address an expanded range of topics on the Qur’ān and its origins, looking beyond medieval Islamic traditions to present the Qur’ān’s own conversation with the religions and literatures of its day. Particular attention is paid to recent debates and controversies in the field, and to uncovering the Qur’ān’s relationship with Judaism and Christianity. After a foreword by Abdolkarim Soroush, chapters by renowned experts cover: method in Qur'ānic Studies analysis of material evidence, including inscriptions and ancient manuscripts, for what they show of the Qur'ān’s origins the language of the Qur'ān and proposed ways to emend our reading of the Qur'ān how our knowledge of the religious groups at the time of the Qur'ān’s emergence might contribute to a better understanding of the text the Qur'ān’s conversation with Biblical literature and traditions that challenge the standard understanding of the holy book. This debate of recent controversial proposals for new interpretations of the Qur'ān will shed new light on the Qur’anic passages that have been shrouded in mystery and debate. As such, it will be a valuable reference for scholars of Islam, the Qur’an, Christian-Muslim relations and the Middle East.

The Qurʾān in Context

The Qurʾān in Context PDF Author: Angelika Neuwirth
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9047430328
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 872

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Book Description
Although recent scholarship has increasingly situated the Qur'ān in the historical context of Late Antiquity, such a perspective is only rarely accompanied by the kind of microstructural literary analysis routinely applied to the Bible. The present volume seeks to redress this lack of contact between literary and historical studies. Contributions to the first part of the volume address various general aspects of the Qur’an’s political, economic, linguistic, and cultural context, while the second part contains a number of close readings of specific Qur’ānic passages in the light of Judeo-Christian tradition and ancient Arabic poetry, as well as discussions of the Qur’ān’s internal chronology and transmission history. Throughout, special emphasis is given to methodological questions.

A Journey Through the Qur'an

A Journey Through the Qur'an PDF Author: Muḥammad Ghazālī
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781870582902
Category : Koran
Languages : en
Pages : 558

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Book Description


Reading the Bible in Islamic Context

Reading the Bible in Islamic Context PDF Author: Daniel J Crowther
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351605046
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 367

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Book Description
In the current political and social climate, there is increasing demand for a deeper understanding of Muslims, the Qur’an and Islam, as well as a keen demand among Muslim scholars to explore ways of engaging with Christians theologically, culturally, and socially. This book explores the ways in which an awareness of Islam and the Qur’an can change the way in which the Bible is read. The contributors come from both Muslim and Christian backgrounds, bring various levels of commitment to the Qur’an and the Bible as Scripture, and often have significantly different perspectives. The first section of the book contains chapters that compare the report of an event in the Bible with a report of the same event in the Qur’an. The second section addresses Muslim readings of the Bible and biblical tradition and looks at how Muslims might regard the Bible - Can they recognise it as Scripture? If so, what does that mean, and how does it relate to the Qur’an as Scripture? Similarly, how might Christian readers regard the Qur’an? The final section explores different analogies for understanding the Bible in relation to the Qur’an. The book concludes with a reflection upon the particular challenges that await Muslim scholars who seek to respond to Jewish and Christian understandings of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. A pioneering venture into intertextual reading, this book has important implications for relationships between Christians and Muslims. It will be of significant value to scholars of both Biblical and Qur’anic Studies, as well as any Muslim seeking to deepen their understanding of the Bible, and any Christian looking to transform the way in which they read the Bible.

A Concise Guide to the Quran

A Concise Guide to the Quran PDF Author: Ayman S. Ibrahim
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1493429280
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
What is so unique about Islam's scripture, the Quran? Who wrote it, and when? Can we trust its statements to be from Muhammad? Why was it written in Arabic? Does it command Muslims to fight Christians? These are a few of the thirty questions answered in this clear and concise guide to the history and contents of the Quran. Ayman Ibrahim grew up in the Muslim world and has spent many years teaching various courses on Islam. Using a question-and-answer format, Ibrahim covers critical questions about the most sacred book for Muslims. He examines Muslim and non-Muslim views concerning the Quran, shows how the Quran is used in contemporary expressions of Islam, answers many of the key questions non-Muslims have about the Quran and Islam, and reveals the importance of understanding the Quran for Christian-Muslim and Jewish-Muslim interfaith relations. This introductory guide is written for anyone with little to no knowledge of Islam who wants to learn about Muslims, their beliefs, and their scripture.

Qur'an and Woman

Qur'an and Woman PDF Author: Amina Wadud
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198029438
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 145

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Book Description
Fourteen centuries of Islamic thought have produced a legacy of interpretive readings of the Qu'ran written almost entirely by men. Now, with Qu'ran and Woman, Amina Wadud provides a first interpretive reading by a woman, a reading which validates the female voice in the Qu'ran and brings it out of the shadows. Muslim progressives have long argued that it is not the religion but patriarchal interpretation and implementation of the Qu'ran that have kept women oppressed. For many, the way to reform is the reexamination and reinterpretation of religious texts. Qu'ran and Woman contributes a gender inclusive reading to one of the most fundamental disciplines in Islamic thought, Qu'ranic exegesis. Wadud breaks down specific texts and key words which have been used to limit women's public and private role, even to justify violence toward Muslim women, revealing that their original meaning and context defy such interpretations. What her analysis clarifies is the lack of gender bias, precedence, or prejudice in the essential language of the Qur'an. Despite much Qu'ranic evidence about the significance of women, gender reform in Muslim society has been stubbornly resisted. Wadud's reading of the Qu'ran confirms women's equality and constitutes legitimate grounds for contesting the unequal treatment that women have experienced historically and continue to experience legally in Muslim communities. The Qu'ran does not prescribe one timeless and unchanging social structure for men and women, Wadud argues lucidly, affirming that the Qu'ran holds greater possibilities for guiding human society to a more fulfilling and productive mutual collaboration between men and women than as yet attained by Muslims or non-Muslims.

The Contemporary Qur'an

The Contemporary Qur'an PDF Author: Muhammad 'Abdul Mannan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 638

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Book Description
The Glorious Qur'an is God's divine book of guidance for all mankind. And The Contemporary Qur'an is an English translation of the Glorious Qur'an written in simple modern English for the reading pleasure of everyone who understands English. This translation is named The Contemporary Qur'an for three main reasons. Firstly because the Qur'an is always relevant at all times, hence it must be read and understood in the context of how its message can be related with and applied to the modern and contemporary setting that we live in today. Secondly because the passages are translated contextually instead of literally to bring out their meaning clearer and more accurately. And finally because wherever applicable, the interpretation takes into account of relevant historical and scientific facts that have only been made available by recent advancements in science and technology. Other than helping Muslims and new converts to gain better understanding of the meaning of God's literal words, The Contemporary Qur'an also strives to address the most fundamental question asked by non-Muslims about the Qur'an and Islam, which typically is: "How do you prove that the Qur'an is truly God's words and how can I be convinced that Islam is the true religion to follow?" The following approaches were taken to address this question: 1. In the book's Foreword section, I discussed about my own experience in seeking the truth and how I applied simple logic to show that Islam stands out from the other religions. 2. Through irrefutable historical and scientific evidence that have been proven by recent advancements in science and technology, I impressed on how impossible it is for the Qur'an to be authored by a mortal, especially so for someone who lived in the 7th century; and I also briefly explained how its linguistic beauty is a miracle that can never be rivaled until the end of time. 3. I also showed passages from the Qur'an that Islam is a truly universal religion for all which transcends race and ethnicity as it places very high emphasis on social justice for all. There is no racial supremacy in Islam. Everyone is equal in the sight of God and will be solely judged by their true faith and piety towards Him and the good deeds that they do. A true religion must have this universal feature because everyone is equal before his/her Creator. God cannot be God if He practices racial discrimination. 4. Through my footnotes on certain selected verses, I endeavored to make non-Muslims see that there is actually nothing wrong with Islam even though many of its followers and nations are besieged with woeful conditions mired by corruption and disunity. The problem is not with Islam, but with Muslims themselves who taint its beauty with their ignorance and over-emphasis on rituals that are not authentically prescribed by Islam but are instead "products" of culture and tradition that have been blindly inherited from earlier generations. Because of this, they become occupied with many unprescribed acts of worship until they unwittingly neglect the more important social responsibilities that have been commanded by God to address, such as the pursuit for quality education and equality before the law. Even worse, some tarnish and betray Islam simply because of their hypocrisy that is brought out from their insatiable greed for worldly gains. In summary, the Qur'an is truly a book of divine guidance for mankind which should not be ignored as it addresses the real concerns and challenges faced by every society at all times. And The Contemporary Qur'an is truly special in its own distinctive way which sets it apart from other English Qur'an translations as it aims to help us see Islam as a well balanced religion in living a blessed life in this world and emerge victorious in the next life to come if its true concept and teachings are properly understood and adhered to.