Product: Book ISBN-10: 1-4051-2258-7 ISBN-13: 9781405122580 Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Country: Year: December 17, 2007 Size: 15.19 x 22.61 x 1.80cm Number of pages: 272 Weight: 399gr Binding: Paperback
Product Description 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.
reviews
Once again a Great book
Once again Dr. Mattson provide a great insight about Islam & Quran and it's values in a easy to read format,,,
I'm looking forward to see one from Story from Ahadiath's soon –-
Masha'Allah Great work keep up the good work Dr. Mattson.
Regards,
Malahat Qureshi Ph.D.
Quran--History, Traditions and its Relevance.
An outstanding book addressing the commonly asked questions--is Quran really word of God, how was it compiled, who is the author, have no changes been incorporated etc.The book describes in detail the importance of oral traditions and how they are continued in 21st century--chap 3 describes the journey of a 17yr old American teenager-Reem- in ensuring the continuation of the oral traditions.
Reader will also learn about the role played by some women and Jews during the life of the prophet. A great book written by a practicing Muslim female adresses most of the commonly asked questions regarding Quran and Muslims. Highly recommend it.
Great Introduction to the Qur'an
As an American who doesn't speak Arabic, »The Story of the Qur'an« offers a clear, well-researched introduction to the Qur'an. Dr. Mattson covers a broad spectrum of issues in a very concise way. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to not only better understand the Qur'an, but also Islam's historical context and how Muslims use the Qur'an today.
You will never Hear the Qur'anic Narrative the Same Again
If you are among the fortunate ones to read Dr. Mattson's book before your first encounter with the Qur'anic narrative, I envy you. As a prison chaplain I offer that this book will be very pivotal in helping to broaden the frame of reference of new Muslims with limited access to traditional sources. Moreover, as a graduate student in seminary I suggest this introduction to the Qur'an will develop your intellectual capacity to hear God's Voice in the most subtle and generous ways possible. The Story of the Qur'an takes into account where mainstream America is and graciously extends an invitation to sit and engage the divine narrative in the classroom of Dr. Mattson. The normal patriarchal Qur'anic history meets herstory's narrative in this book and an absolutely inspiring transformation occurs to those who suffered from gender tone deafness. Read it for yourself and I guarantee you will never read the Qur'an the same way thereafter. First time readers of Qur'an will be enriched by the supportive and diverse resources to help novices be engaged intimately with the scripture. More seasoned Qur'anic readers are challenged to listen deeper and more affectionately to the Voice of God, so I envy the novices who will be able to listen to the Qur'an almost as if they were with the Prophet Muhammad and the first community of revelation both males and females.
A terrific resource on the Quran
I am a Christian pastor and high school Religion teacher, and I'm currently using »The Story of the Qur'an« as part of a course for Juniors and Seniors on Islam. It's an excellent resource: deeply scholarly, but also user-friendly. It's technical, but absolutely approachable. Even those just beginning to learn about Islam and the Qur'an will be able to get it.
For teachers: Mattson's book occupies a niche that others don't cover. It explains »what's in the Qur'an,« to be sure, but also questions including: »how did the Qur'an take shape?« and »what role(s) does it play within Muslim culture throughout history and today?« and »how have Muslims interpreted the Qur'an?« (Note: these are my summaries, not its chapter headings, per se.)
It's really the last three questions that set the book apart from other introductory texts. Most of these will tell you THAT the Qur'an is important, and many will tell you WHY, at least in a general way. But none I know offer the same nuanced view of HOW the text evolved and how its reception and interpretation have also evolved.
Why does that matter? Well, I've found that my students come to the Qur'an with a great deal of interest, but also suspicion. They are attracted to its emphasis on social justice and are often surprised by its beauty, but put off by its eschatology (which, in fairness, they have only just begun to learn). They struggle mightily to understand the authority of a text –- a struggle that is made harder by the general distrust of any authority that is typical of their age, but also compounded by the media treatments of Islam which are often all they know of the faith.
Mattson is brilliant in giving them ways to understand that authority as the product of revelation, but also history.
If you're serious about introducing students to the Qur'an as part of a course on Islam, this is an invaluable resource. Also good for helping students develop paper topics and bibliographies, as well as for developing a mental framework to understand the Qur'an on something closer to its own terms. It quotes a lot of Qur'anic material, so it might also be used as a reserve book or for the teacher to prep a unit for him/herself. Easy to use as a roadmap for teachers trying to decide which passages to teach and how to understand them.