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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 1-883991-69-2
ISBN-13: 9781883991692
Publisher: White Cloud Press
Country:
Year: January 1, 2007
Edition: 2nd
Size: 13.97 x 22.35 x 2.03cm
Number of pages: 236
Weight: 454gr
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: 1-883991-69-2
ISBN-13: 9781883991692
Publisher: White Cloud Press
Country:
Year: January 1, 2007
Edition: 2nd
Size: 13.97 x 22.35 x 2.03cm
Number of pages: 236
Weight: 454gr
Binding: Paperback
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Product Description
A major event in religious publishing, this second edition offers * important new translations of Quranic suras, * a new preface addressing the ongoing controversy over teaching about Islam and the Quran in American universities * Introduction to the Quran * commentaries of the suras * a glossary of technical terms * chapters discussing the sound nature and gender aspects of the Arabic text Here are brilliant translations of the short, hymnic chapters, or suras, associated with the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. Complex and powerful, most appear at the end of the Qurans written text and are commonly reached only by the most resolute reader of existing English translations. Containing the Qurans prophetic and revelatory passages, the suras offer a vision of a meaningful and just life that anchors the religion of one-fifth of the worlds inhabitants. With a CD of Quranic reciters chanting several early suras, an opportunity to hear the Quran in its original form.
A major event in religious publishing, this second edition offers * important new translations of Quranic suras, * a new preface addressing the ongoing controversy over teaching about Islam and the Quran in American universities * Introduction to the Quran * commentaries of the suras * a glossary of technical terms * chapters discussing the sound nature and gender aspects of the Arabic text Here are brilliant translations of the short, hymnic chapters, or suras, associated with the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. Complex and powerful, most appear at the end of the Qurans written text and are commonly reached only by the most resolute reader of existing English translations. Containing the Qurans prophetic and revelatory passages, the suras offer a vision of a meaningful and just life that anchors the religion of one-fifth of the worlds inhabitants. With a CD of Quranic reciters chanting several early suras, an opportunity to hear the Quran in its original form.
reviews
Excellent material on the nuances of Quranic translation 
The material in the beginning of this book is excellent commentary by the author on the nuances of Quranic Arabic translation. The qirat (vocal recitation) in the accompanying CD is also quite good. I gave this book 4 stars because it does not contain actual quranic arabic text (either roman transliteration or Arabic text), making it difficult for most Muslims to recognize the excerpts of the Quran from their English translation alone.
The material in the beginning of this book is excellent commentary by the author on the nuances of Quranic Arabic translation. The qirat (vocal recitation) in the accompanying CD is also quite good. I gave this book 4 stars because it does not contain actual quranic arabic text (either roman transliteration or Arabic text), making it difficult for most Muslims to recognize the excerpts of the Quran from their English translation alone.
Inspiring 
The book is written by a non-muslim author, but it is obvious that he is trying very hard to explain that that fact isn't important (there is one hadith which says that the one who is trying to understand the Qur'an (one who is studying it) will never understand or accept it because he hasn't opened enough his heart – so people – OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND TRY NO TO BE NARROW MINDED). In the introduction he is an »objective« approacher as objective he can be when talking about the word of God. The gender explanations and other language mysteries are explained in a very understandable way. GOOD WORK! CD might be helpful for those who had never heard the Qur'anic recitations! Exuse me for any grammatical errors, but I'm not from USA.
The book is written by a non-muslim author, but it is obvious that he is trying very hard to explain that that fact isn't important (there is one hadith which says that the one who is trying to understand the Qur'an (one who is studying it) will never understand or accept it because he hasn't opened enough his heart – so people – OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND TRY NO TO BE NARROW MINDED). In the introduction he is an »objective« approacher as objective he can be when talking about the word of God. The gender explanations and other language mysteries are explained in a very understandable way. GOOD WORK! CD might be helpful for those who had never heard the Qur'anic recitations! Exuse me for any grammatical errors, but I'm not from USA.
The Translators' Dilemma in Approaching the Holy Quran
APPROACHING THE QUR'AN: THE EARLY REVELATIONS. The Quran (Arabic-literal meaning: The Book to be Recited)is Islam's Holy Book or scripture, and by consensus of most non-Muslim scholars, is unique in many respects. The first is its literal and linguistic status as a challenge in linguistic and expressive strength ever since it began to be revealed to the Prophet Mohammad in Mecca, and this aspect is adequately dealt with in Michael Sell's introduction to the Early Meccan Suras (Chapters). This Has been a challenge to the poetic and oratorial Arabian gurus of the 7th Century AD when the Quran was revealed, and is still a challenge to the modern scholars how to to transmit the actual meaning and sounding of the Quranic Ayat (sentences- but not quite- the word Ayat inspires a miraculous expression, statement or order from God Almighty as all Muslims beleive, be they are Sunni or Shia). The translator's dilemma is how to express the meaning of each word in the Quran to another language- say English. This is exemplified in the tenslation of the Quranic word 'Al-Rahman', one of the supreme names given to Allah (God)the Almighty King of all Creation which we perceive and that which we do not perceive. Michael Sells, author of the book being reviewed translates this name of God as »The Compassionate«, where as two earlier translations which are heald in great esteam in bothe East and West. The first of these is the most popular and officially approved in most Islamic countries is the translation of A. Yusuf Ali (Lahore, 1934). In this officially accepted translation Al-Rahman is translated as »(God)Most Gracious«. The other scholarly translation is that by A.J. Arberry, 'The Koran interpreted'. although not officially recognised in Muslim countries, the interpretation goes close to the Arabic text. In this translation Al-Rahman is translated »The All Merciful«. In fact all three interpretations give the meaning of this wonderful word ' 'Al-Rahman' from diofferent angles, different perceptions and perhaps different cultural backgrounds. Not being a Quranic scholar myself I humbly submit that you can only get the right meaning of the Quran by trying to read it in the original and work your way around the meanings you can absorb by reading, rereading with the help of explanatory books such as this book and other standard books which specialize in the interpretation 'Tafsir' of the Quran to the Arabic reader. I highly recommend this book as an aid to the reading of the Quran in the original and not as a substitute. Hassan Badrek-Amoudi, MD
APPROACHING THE QUR'AN: THE EARLY REVELATIONS. The Quran (Arabic-literal meaning: The Book to be Recited)is Islam's Holy Book or scripture, and by consensus of most non-Muslim scholars, is unique in many respects. The first is its literal and linguistic status as a challenge in linguistic and expressive strength ever since it began to be revealed to the Prophet Mohammad in Mecca, and this aspect is adequately dealt with in Michael Sell's introduction to the Early Meccan Suras (Chapters). This Has been a challenge to the poetic and oratorial Arabian gurus of the 7th Century AD when the Quran was revealed, and is still a challenge to the modern scholars how to to transmit the actual meaning and sounding of the Quranic Ayat (sentences- but not quite- the word Ayat inspires a miraculous expression, statement or order from God Almighty as all Muslims beleive, be they are Sunni or Shia). The translator's dilemma is how to express the meaning of each word in the Quran to another language- say English. This is exemplified in the tenslation of the Quranic word 'Al-Rahman', one of the supreme names given to Allah (God)the Almighty King of all Creation which we perceive and that which we do not perceive. Michael Sells, author of the book being reviewed translates this name of God as »The Compassionate«, where as two earlier translations which are heald in great esteam in bothe East and West. The first of these is the most popular and officially approved in most Islamic countries is the translation of A. Yusuf Ali (Lahore, 1934). In this officially accepted translation Al-Rahman is translated as »(God)Most Gracious«. The other scholarly translation is that by A.J. Arberry, 'The Koran interpreted'. although not officially recognised in Muslim countries, the interpretation goes close to the Arabic text. In this translation Al-Rahman is translated »The All Merciful«. In fact all three interpretations give the meaning of this wonderful word ' 'Al-Rahman' from diofferent angles, different perceptions and perhaps different cultural backgrounds. Not being a Quranic scholar myself I humbly submit that you can only get the right meaning of the Quran by trying to read it in the original and work your way around the meanings you can absorb by reading, rereading with the help of explanatory books such as this book and other standard books which specialize in the interpretation 'Tafsir' of the Quran to the Arabic reader. I highly recommend this book as an aid to the reading of the Quran in the original and not as a substitute. Hassan Badrek-Amoudi, MD
A Wonderful Window into a Complex Spiritual Classic
Yes, this is the book that, some years ago, touched off a controversy at the University of North Carolina –- an unfortunate misunderstanding of the importance of this book. If you're a non-Muslim shopping for something helpful to read about Islam –- and you want to learn about the Quran –- you should realize that this is NOT the entire Quran. Editions of that sacred text in Arabic and English are widely available at bookstores, but they're also provided to visitors at virtually all Muslim centers. And, visiting a mosque or other Muslim center also should be a step in learning about Islam. I am a non-Muslim journalist and I have been welcomed in hundreds of mosques all around the world –- so paying a visit and finding a copy of the Quran is not hard. What is very difficult for American readers, especially, is understanding the complex poetry of this spiritual classic. Even in an English translation with footnotes, so much context is missing that one would pick up while growing up in a Muslim community and bring to the text. This book is about understanding that essential context of the Quran and its beautiful, timeless poetry. Among other great concepts in this book is an audio CD that allows you to hear recitations from the Quran –- an absolutely essential step in grasping its power and beauty over so many centuries. The author is an educator and the book really is ideal for classes or small groups –- whether you're Muslim or not. It's a great choice as a »first book on the Quran« for newcomers –- and a number of Muslim reviewers have pointed out over the years that it's also an eye-opener for many Muslim readers as well. Personally, I own two copies –- because I often find myself wanting to give away a copy to an inquisitive friend.
Yes, this is the book that, some years ago, touched off a controversy at the University of North Carolina –- an unfortunate misunderstanding of the importance of this book. If you're a non-Muslim shopping for something helpful to read about Islam –- and you want to learn about the Quran –- you should realize that this is NOT the entire Quran. Editions of that sacred text in Arabic and English are widely available at bookstores, but they're also provided to visitors at virtually all Muslim centers. And, visiting a mosque or other Muslim center also should be a step in learning about Islam. I am a non-Muslim journalist and I have been welcomed in hundreds of mosques all around the world –- so paying a visit and finding a copy of the Quran is not hard. What is very difficult for American readers, especially, is understanding the complex poetry of this spiritual classic. Even in an English translation with footnotes, so much context is missing that one would pick up while growing up in a Muslim community and bring to the text. This book is about understanding that essential context of the Quran and its beautiful, timeless poetry. Among other great concepts in this book is an audio CD that allows you to hear recitations from the Quran –- an absolutely essential step in grasping its power and beauty over so many centuries. The author is an educator and the book really is ideal for classes or small groups –- whether you're Muslim or not. It's a great choice as a »first book on the Quran« for newcomers –- and a number of Muslim reviewers have pointed out over the years that it's also an eye-opener for many Muslim readers as well. Personally, I own two copies –- because I often find myself wanting to give away a copy to an inquisitive friend.
A uniquely lateral approach to Quranic studies 
A refreshingly different look at the Quran and the sounds of its recitation. Especially interesting was the included CD with recitation recordings from different parts of the world.
A refreshingly different look at the Quran and the sounds of its recitation. Especially interesting was the included CD with recitation recordings from different parts of the world.
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