The Story of the Quran: Its History and Place in Muslim Life

This wonderful introduction to the Qur an offers an insightful and authoritative description of the book at the heart of Muslim life. Written by a well known Islamic expert, this book is a knowledgeable account of the doctrines contained in the Qur an and provides a comprehensive explanation of their significance to individual Muslims and the societies in which they live.

Beginning with the life of Muhammad and his revelation, the book then moves on to survey the key themes of the Qur an, the most significant historical interpretations, and some of the most important figures who transmitted and taught the sacred scripture over the centuries. The vital influence of the Qur an on all major aspects of Muslim society, such as personal relationships, popular culture, law, art and architecture, political movements, science, and literature is also explored.

This book helps the reader to understand the Qur an, while throwing a much–needed light on what it means to be a Muslim.

Introduction.

1. God Speaks to Humanity.

2. The Prophet Conveys the Message.

3. The Voice and the Pen.

4. Blessed Words: The Qur an and Culture.

5. What God Really Means: Interpreting the Qur an.

6. Listening for God.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Index

Ingrid Mattson is a Professor at the Macdonald Center for Islamic Studies and Christian–Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary. She has published numerous articles on Islam and is on the editorial board of The Muslim World. She travels and lecturers widely and is President of the Islamic Society of North America.

?Ingrid Mattson has written a stimulating and scholarly account of Islam, focusing on the Quran. She has a gift for condensing complex material without oversimplifying and her approach, although scholarly, is far from being a dry analysis of well–known historical events and religious debates.? ( Journal of Islamic Studies, September 2009)

?It takes rare skill to make an introduction to scripture compelling, but Mattson has done it. Students will find the text fascinating, a delicate balance of highly scholarly material and inviting anecdotes. Scholars will also find the text of interest, particularly its deft compilation of a remarkable breadth of scholarship. Perhaps most importantly, this text is the first full introduction to the study of the Qur?an from the perspective of a Western Muslim woman, bringing the Qur?an alive in ways only someone fully engaged in and sensitive to twenty–first century realities can do.? Tamara Sonn, College of William & Mary

?The author has been entirely successful in accomplishing her aims: she has written an academically–based, well–documented introduction to the Qur′an which will find wide readership.?
Andrew Rippin, University of Victoria

?A balanced, academically–based, and well–documented introduction ? Mattson throws a much–needed light on what it means to be a Muslim.? Islamic Horizons