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There is much more to the Qur'an than the selective quotations favored by Islamic fundamentalists. This thoroughly revised third edition of
The Qur'an: An Introduction provides an accessible yet scholarly guide to the many dimensions of Qur'anic study, designed for both Muslim and Western non-Muslim students alike. This comprehensive new edition reflects significant developments in Qur'anic scholarship since 2008 and features:
- A new dedicated chapter exploring diverse Islamic theories of revelation and the concept of the Preserved Tablet
- Expanded discussion on the history of the Qur'anic text, incorporating recent groundbreaking research
- A broader, more nuanced examination of Orientalism's relationship with Qur'anic interpretation
- A newly added chapter on prophets in the Qur'an and their significance
- Thoroughly updated recommended readings reflecting contemporary scholarship
The book maintains its student-friendly approach with illustrative examples, clear summaries, helpful timelines, and a comprehensive glossary. It examines the Qur'an through Western academic perspectives while honoring the rich interpretive traditions that have evolved from the time of Prophet Muhammad to the present day. This essential guide bridges historical understanding with contemporary relevance, offering readers a balanced and thorough introduction to Islam's foundational text and its profound influence across centuries of religious thought.
List of contents
Introduction 1. The Qur'an in its Context 2. Revelation and the Qur'an 3. The Qur'an as scripture 4. Major themes and text types 5. The Qur'an in daily life 6. Western scholarship and the Qur'an 7. Translation of the Qur'an 8. The Qur'an and other scriptures 9. Ethico-legal teachings 10. Selected exegetical principles and ideas 11. Approached to Qur'anic exegesis 12. Modern interpretation of the Qur'an 13. A Contextualist Approach to Interpreting the Qur'an Today: A Practical Guide
About the author
Abdullah Saeed is the Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies and Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor at the University of Melbourne. He has written widely on the Qur'an, Islamic thought, and contemporary Muslim issues. His publications include
Contemporary Muslim Qur¿¿nic Hermeneutics (editor, 2026), Contemporary Approaches to the Qur¿an and Its Interpretation in Iran (co-author, 2020),
Reading the Qur'an in the Twenty-First Century: A Contextualist Approach (2014),
Interpreting the Qur'an (2006),
Approaches to the Qur'an in Contemporary Indonesia (ed., 2005),
Freedom of Religion, Apostasy and Islam (co-author, 2004),
Islam and Political Legitimacy (co-editor, 2004),
Islam in Australia (2003), and
Islamic Banking and Interest (1996).
