Qur'an in Conversation

by Michael Birkel

Overview

The Qur'an is God's verbatim speech for most traditional Muslims. Qur'an in Conversation reflects how this sacred text of Islam comes into dialogue with the contemporary world through the voices of the eloquent interpreters gathered in this volume.

In Qur'an in Conversation, author Michael Birkel engages North American Muslim religious leaders and academics in conversations of scriptural interpretation. Scholars, practicing imams, and younger public intellectuals wrestle with key suras of the Qur'an.

Qur'an in Conversation demonstrates a wide spectrum of interpretation and diversity of approaches in reading Islam's scripture. The discussions directly address key issues in Muslim theology--good versus evil, the nature of God, and the future of Islam. Younger North American Muslims read the Qur'an in varied ways; this is analogous to the diverse ways in which Jews and Christians have interpreted their own holy books.

Michael Birkel welcomes people of goodwill into a public conversation about the current role of Western Muslims in Islam. Qur'an in Conversation encourages non-specialists and Muslim scholars alike to imagine how the Qur'an will be interpreted among North American Muslims in years to come.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481303071
Publisher:	Baylor University Press
Publication date:	08/15/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	292
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Michael Birkel is Professor of Religion at Earlham College.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Knowledge Hidden and Manifest

2. Close Readings, Old and New

3. Living Tradition

4. Encountering Others

5. Contemporary Contexts

6. Justice

7. The Journey Inward

Concluding Reflections

List of Arabic Terms

Further Reading on Interpretation of the Qur'an

List of Participants

What People are Saying About This

Qur’an in Conversation presents an outstanding collection of interviews giving voice to a wide range of diverse contemporary North American Muslim individuals as they speak—often with great passion, warmth, and conviction—about passages from their sacred text that hold special meaning for each of them. The book is both accessible and engaging to a wide audience, and will hopefully open a channel of communication between contemporary Muslims and non-Muslims that is desperately needed.

Frederick S. Colby

Qur’an in Conversation presents an outstanding collection of interviews giving voice to a wide range of diverse contemporary North American Muslim individuals as they speak—often with great passion, warmth, and conviction—about passages from their sacred text that hold special meaning for each of them. The book is both accessible and engaging to a wide audience, and will hopefully open a channel of communication between contemporary Muslims and non-Muslims that is desperately needed.

Rev. Dr. Jay T. Rock

In Qur'an in Conversation, Michael Birkel introduces us to a well-chosen diversity of interpreters of the Qur'an. Birkel's volume presents Muslim teachers in their own words, with enough commentary to satisfy scholarly questions, but in a form that is accessible to beginners. I highly recommend this book to all who want to know how Muslims in North America are thinking about the Qur'an in this time and place.

Laleh Bakhtiar

Qur'an in Conversation is a remarkable, well-written journey of interfaith sharing.

Omid Safi

The Qur’an is more than merely the holy book of Muslims. It is a book read, debated, memorized, critiqued, emulated, internalized, and expounded upon by various Muslims. Here for the first time we have the Qur’an being read by a wide range of contemporary American Muslim leaders and intellectuals. It provides us with a rich opportunity to see the Qur’an become an American's scripture.

Editorial Reviews

This fine book encourages non-specialists and Muslim scholars alike to imagine how the Qur'an will be interpreted among North American Muslims in years to come.

Bible Review Journal

A critically important contribution to academic library Islamic Studies, reference collections, and supplemental studies lists...

The Midwest Book Review - James A. Cox

Birkel’s work is distinctive and easy to read, and will aid the curious learner who is suspicious of Islam to hear and listen to what Muslim scholars have to say about how the Qur’an should be discerned and interpreted in contemporary society. It provides both Muslims and non-Muslims with an opportunity and encouragement to respectfully engage each other on a personal, religious and academic level to an extent that has not been achieved before.

Blake Campbell

A unique contribution to the growing area of works accessible to learned nonspecialists of the Qur’an.

The Journal of Religion - Lauren E. Osborne

Though many of the writers are scholars, the text is accessible and at times remarkable for its heartfelt candor. Birkel’s book comes at a fine time, when serious critical study of the Qur’an is gaining momentum in the Western religion academy—it is groundbreaking.

Publishers Weekly

"Qur'an in Conversation is a remarkable, well-written journey of interfaith sharing." --Laleh Bakhtiar, Ph.D.

Baylor University Press

"In Qur'an in Conversation , Michael Birkel introduces us to a well-chosen diversity of interpreters of the Qur'an. Birkel's volume presents Muslim teachers in their own words, with enough commentary to satisfy scholarly questions, but in a form that is accessible to beginners. I highly recommend this book to all who want to know how Muslims in North America are thinking about the Qur'an in this time and place." --Rev. Dr. Jay T. Rock, former Director of Interfaith Relations at the National Council of Churches and Coordinator of Interfaith Relations for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Baylor University Press

From the Publisher