The koran, the sacred book of islam, comprises in its 114 suras or chapters the total of revelations believed to have been communicated to the prophet muhammad, as a final expression of gods will and purpose for man. I really appreciated this very short introduction to the koran. The koran has constituted a remarkably resilient core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. Indeed, the word islam in arabic means selfsurrender and is closely related to salaam, the word for peace. Feb 24, 2000 in this very short introduction, michael cook provides a lucid and direct account of the significance of the koran both in the modern world and in that of traditional islam. When you read the quran, seek refuge with god from satan the outcast. In what ways do the attitudes of muslims to the koran resemble those of members of other. Since then, talal has been studying the quran, researching it, and teaching it to others.
A very short introduction very short introductions book kindle edition by cook, michael. The author seems to be very capable and wellversed. It illustrates the practical power of this ideology by describing populist movements of the modern eraeuropean. A very short introduction 2e very short introductions 2 by ruthven, malise isbn. Arthurs classic novels the koran interpreted a translation by a. Arberry contents volume i preface i the opening ii the cow iii the house of imran iv women v the table vi cattle vii the battlements viii the spoils ix repentance x jonah. A short introduction to the quran quran add comments. As you will see, the attitude of the koran towards unbelievers is very negative. The original sources of the quran 3 quran and the traditions, taken together, form the foundation of islam. The essence of the first surah is man, crying out to allah swt. In this very short introduction, michael cook provides a lucid and direct account of the significance of the koran both in the modern world and in that of traditional islam. The books can rapidly introduce people to a given subject, in a readable and accessible way. This very short introduction explores the significance of the koran both. In that book, the author reflected on the islamic injunction, incumbent on every muslim, to forbid wrongdoing.
Talal itani first read the quran 1992, in order to discredit it. Why is the quran written from longest to shortest pages. He has no authority over those who believe and trust in their lord. Forbidding wrong in islam an introduction michael cooks massive study in islamic ethics, commanding right and forbidding wrong in islamic thought, was published to much acclaim in 2001. For example, this short chapter which was revealed to the prophet at a difficult time reminded him of allahs favors to him and gave him support and patience. This is an enjoyable and authoritative introduction to the mythology that helped sustain earths first great civilization for thousands of years.
A very short introduction by paul engel ed stoicism. Fay weldon has described the quran as food for no thought. This very short introduction explores the significance of the koran both in the modern world and in traditional muslim culture. A very short introduction is unsurprisingly a short text on a complex and loaded topic. A very short introduction very short introductions by brad inwood. The meaning of koran and its basic message the korans place pdf in history and in islamic spiritual life explanations of its language, structure, and narrative style how to live by the korans teachings the korans role in key global issues, such as jihad vs. Arberry, taken from the original etext koran arberry10. Cook questions for thought and discussion what does the koran have in common with other scriptures. He sent down to you the book with the truth, confirming what came before it. Clear easy to read modern english pure allah, there is no god but he, the living, the eternal. This is an excellent introduction to an understanding of the position and the role of islam in the contemporary world.
The miniature format of the very short introduction and its miniature price only make the study more alluring. This surah begins with the example of three types of people and how they receive allah swts message. Oxford university presss very short introductions is a useful series. A very short introduction audio bookmalise ruthven 2004. A very short introduction very short introductions. Sep 11, 2015 this very short introduction explores the significance of the koran both in the modern world and in traditional muslim culture. Some of the longer aayahs are much longer than the shortest. In this very short introduction, michael cook provides a lucid and direct account of the significance of the koran. In a beautifully written, concise, and insightful study, packed into one of a series of very short introductions to a multitude of subjects, cook makes clear some of the mysteries of this holy book, in part by his comparisons with other scriptures, in part by his excellent examples.
A very short introduction, michael cook states that a short introduction does not have time to say much p. The word islam means submission, from the arabic root slm, the same root as the arabic word salam or peace. It is not a poem on which a society can be safely or sensibly based. After youve bought this ebook, you can choose to download either the pdf. But is the reason for it because at the time it was revealed to be like this. Yet these disturbing images are at odds with a faith that most adherentswho now number over a billion worldwidewould regard as no less pacific than buddhism or christianity. Malise ruthvens very short introduction contains essential insights into. The hadith contains the sunna the ideal speech or action of moham med, that is, his pronouncements.
Since the koran is to the faithful muslim the very word of god, from earliest times orthodox. European union institute for security studies october 2014 2 although several attempts have been made to restore the title since the abolishment, the muslim consensus necessary to pick the next caliph. Please read our short guide how to send a book to kindle. In a very short introduction it is often hard to get much done. Im sorry to report that what should have been one of the best and most important works in the seriesfeminismis among oxfords worst offerings. Ruthven covers a large number of topics in a dense space. The actual words or deeds, then, that one should follow, are the sunna. He gives vivid accounts of its role in muslim the koran has constituted a remarkably resilient core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its. The quran is one of the worlds most important and most enigmatic books. Much importance is also attached to early commentators on the quran, and to the deductions from it made by early jurists and doctors of the law. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and. In islam, christians and jews are infidels and people of the book.
It is usually translated as unbeliever, but that translation is wrong. The concept of jihad, the role of sharia law, the place of women and the ability of muslims to adjust to the modern world all get special emphasis since they are hotbutton issues. The translated text loses the inimitable quality of the original, so be aware of the degree to which a translation reflects the original message at every level of meaning. Feb 24, 2000 this very short introduction explores the significance of the koran both in the modern world and in traditional muslim culture. Here is a new translation of the quran by talal itani, who kindly offered to post it as an ebook. A very short introduction explores the significance of the koran both in the modern world and in traditional muslim culture, by looking at the koran as. Arberry, taken from the original etext koranarberry10. A short introduction to islam plus islam explained by philip voerding a short introduction to islam what is islam. The original sources of the quran white horse media. A very short introduction very short introductions series by michael cook. Download it once and read it on your kindle device. A very short introduction audio book malise ruthven 2004. Fatihah the opening, is relatively short twentyfive words.
Islamic scholar sohaib sultan provides a clear road map, revealing. Kafir is the actual word the koran uses for nonmuslims. From the second surah onward, the surahs gradually decrease in length, although this is not a hard and fast rule. As a christian who is fairly familiar with my own traditions sacred book, the bible, i found it helpful. The author does not evade the difficult debate about the relationship between the west and the islamic world, but succeeds in creating a broader perspective on this controversial issue. But the koran, a very short introduction turns out to be a very witty and interesting book, full of insights that the most pious muslim will find informative and stimulating. The concept of jihad, the role of sharia law, the place of women and the ability of muslims to adjust to the modern world all get special emphasis since they are hot. The koran interpreted introduction oxford islamic studies. The book is a collection of classical essays, some translated for the first time, that provide commentary on the traditions and language of the koran, discussing its grammatical and logical discontinuities, its syriac and hebrew foreign vocabulary, and its possible. The koran has constituted a remarkably strong core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. It contains mercy and healing, and it is beyond doubt from the lord of the worlds.
If we take him at his word, then the title of his book is misleading, for all that is short about his book is its length. Ruthven is helpful in explaining the origins and characteristics of the different branches of islam. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas. A very short introduction presents populism as an ideology that divides society into two antagonistic camps.
Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. Islam is one of the three major world religions, along with christianity and buddhism. The book is a collection of classical essays, some translated for the first time, that provide commentary on the traditions and language of the koran, discussing its grammatical and logical discontinuities, its syriac and hebrew foreign. It gives weapons and strength to the thoughtpolice and the thoughtpolice are easily set marching, and they frighten. Michael cook provides a lucid and direct account of the koran as codex, as scripture, as liturgy, and as the embodiment of truth, and examines its means of formation and dissemination. Ahmad, mirza bashiruddin mahmud, 1889 1965 introduction to the study of the holy quran 1. Islam dominates the news, often in stories filled with images of violence. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. She clearly knows and loves her subject, and recognizes the difficulties of getting to grips with it. But the koran, a very short introduction turns out to be a very witty and interesting book, full of insights that the most. In this thorough revision of an earlier volume, ruthven offers a quick overview of islam and its adherents. Michael cook provides a lucid and direct account of the koran as codex, as scripture, as liturgy, and as. The quran free pdf ebook english translation of the quran. Jamal badawi, please can you start introducing the quran and what you feel is the message of the quran to muslims.
Opening with a lucid overview of the rise and spread of islam, from the seventh to the twentyfirst century, this very short introduction introduces the story of islamic history, charting the evolution of what was originally a small, localized community of believers into an international religion with over a billion adherents. The last sixty surahs take up about as much space as the second. However, he also wastes some very valuable pages reflecting on the topic rather than presenting it. Well, first of all, i wish to thank you and the organizers for your kind invitation, and to greet all viewers with the traditional islamic greeting, the greeting of all of the prophets. What things are unique about the koran in comparison with other scriptures. Feb 24, 2000 the koran has constituted a remarkably strong core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. Language, text and commentary 2002 is a book edited by ibn warraq and published by prometheus books. Pinch has a very readable style, free from scholarly pomposity, but without any dumbingdown.
644 193 951 1012 1067 1031 11 701 299 245 195 1410 441 232 611 289 129 887 194 1525 444 551 192 885 654 239 1181 14 1535 1093 925 876 1121 195 522 1289 1012 421 318