The Story of the Qur'an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life - Hardcover

A"Ingrid Mattson has written a stimulating and scholarly account of Islam, focusing on the Quran. She has a gift for condensing complex material without oversimplifying and her approach, although scholarly, is far from being a dry analysis of well-known historical events and religious debates.A" ( Journal of Islamic Studies, September 2009) A"It takes rare skill to make an introduction to scripture compelling, but Mattson has done it. Students will find the text fascinating, a delicate balance of highly scholarly material and inviting anecdotes. Scholars will also find the text of interest, particularly its deft compilation of a remarkable breadth of scholarship. Perhaps most importantly, this text is the first full introduction to the study of the Qur'an from the perspective of a Western Muslim woman, bringing the Qur'an alive in ways only someone fully engaged in and sensitive to twenty-first century realities can do.A" Tamara Sonn, College of William & Mary A"The author has been entirely successful in accomplishing her aims: she has written an academically-based, well-documented introduction to the Qur'an which will find wide readership.A" Andrew Rippin, University of Victoria A"A balanced, academically-based, and well-documented introduction A... Mattson throws a much-needed light on what it means to be a Muslim.A" Islamic Horizons

An essential introductory text for the study of the Qur'an, its content, and its place in Muslim society. * An insightful and authoritative introduction to the book at the heart of Muslim life, written by a well-known Islamic scholar * Examines the doctrines contained in the Qur'an, providing a comprehensive explanation of their significance to individual Muslims and the societies in which they live * Surveys the key themes of the Qur'an, its most significant historical interpretations, and some of the most significant figures who transmitted and taught the sacred scripture over the centuries * Considers the influence of the Qur'an on all major aspects of Muslim society, including personal relationships, popular culture, law, art and architecture, political movements, science, and literature * Helps the reader to understand the Qur'an, while throwing a much-needed light on what it means to be a Muslim.