Muhammad Abdel Haleem – författare

The tenets of Islam cannot be grasped without a proper understanding of the Qur'an. In this important new introduction, Muhammad Haleem examines its recurrent themes - life and eternity, marriage and divorce, peace and war, water and nourishment - and for the first time sets these in the context of the Qur'an's linguistic style. Professor Haleem examines the background to the development of the surahs (chapters) and the ayahs (verses) and the construction of the Qur'an itself. He shows that popular conceptions of Islamic attitudes to women, marriage and divorce, war and society, differ radically from the true teachings of the Qur'an.

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 book by one of the world's finest Islamic scholars responds to that urgency. Building on his earlier ground-breaking 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.

Traditionally revered as the literal word of God, the Qur’an serves as Islam’s sacred book of revelation. Accordingly, its statements and pronouncements rest at the core of the beliefs and teachings that have inexorably defined expressions of the Islamic faith. Indeed, over the centuries, engaging with and poring over the contents of the Qur’an inspired an impressive range of traditional scholarship. Notwithstanding its religious pre-eminence, the Qur’an is also considered to be the matchless masterpiece of the Arabic language and its impact as a text can be discerned in all aspects of the Arabic literary tradition. Presenting contributions from leading experts in the field, The Oxford Handbook of Qur’anic Studies offers an authoritative collection of chapters that guide readers through the gamut of themes, subjects, and debates that have dominated the academic study of the Qur’an and its literary heritage. These range from chapters that explore the text’s language, vocabulary, style, and structure, to detailed surveys of its contents, concepts, transmission, literary influence, historical significance, commentary tradition, and even the scholarship devoted to translations. With the aim of serving as an indispensable reference resource, the Handbook assesses the implications of research discourses and discussions shaping the study of the Qur’an today. There exists no single volume devoted to such a broad review of the scholarship on the Qur’an and its rich commentary tradition.

The Qur’an is a multifaceted text that can be challenging, especially for non-Arabic speakers relying solely on English translations. This book unlocks the rhetorical devices, structural features and stylistic choices that the Qur’an employs and which are so vital to its meaning. While some of these subjects form an important part of the Arabic Qur’anic Studies curriculum - and are prioritised in schools and universities in the Arab world - they continue to puzzle some readers of the Qur’an in English translation.This is the eagerly-awaited final instalment of Professor Abdel Haleem’s IB Tauris trilogy on the Qur'an. It is unique in combining linguistic analysis, literary appreciation and relevance to contemporary issues: an essential companion for students and general readers studying the Qur’an, whether in English or in ArabicThe book is divided into three parts:· Part One “The Importance of Context” explains why context (siyaq) is vital when quoting from and interpreting the text.· Part Two “The Structure of the Sura: Seeing the Unity” uses case studies to demonstrate how the structures of the suras in the Qur'an are central to their meaning.· Part Three “Rhetorical and Stylistic Features” highlights the contribution of such features to the persuasive impact of the Qur’anic text.

The Qur’an is a multifaceted text that can be challenging, especially for non-Arabic speakers relying solely on English translations. This book unlocks the rhetorical devices, structural features and stylistic choices that the Qur’an employs and which are so vital to its meaning. While some of these subjects form an important part of the Arabic Qur’anic Studies curriculum - and are prioritised in schools and universities in the Arab world - they continue to puzzle some readers of the Qur’an in English translation.This is the eagerly-awaited final instalment of Professor Abdel Haleem’s IB Tauris trilogy on the Qur'an. It is unique in combining linguistic analysis, literary appreciation and relevance to contemporary issues: an essential companion for students and general readers studying the Qur’an, whether in English or in ArabicThe book is divided into three parts:· Part One “The Importance of Context” explains why context (siyaq) is vital when quoting from and interpreting the text.· Part Two “The Structure of the Sura: Seeing the Unity” uses case studies to demonstrate how the structures of the suras in the Qur'an are central to their meaning.· Part Three “Rhetorical and Stylistic Features” highlights the contribution of such features to the persuasive impact of the Qur’anic text.