Understanding the Qur'an Today

by Mahmoud Hussein

Overview

The prevailing belief among Muslims is that, because the Qur'an is the Word of God and God is eternal, it follows that His Word is also eternal. The belief is based on the postulate that the Word of God must be of the same nature as God Himself. Mahmoud Hussein refutes this by showing that it contradicts the very teachings of the Qur'an. Whereas God transcends time, His Word is inscribed within time. It is not a monologue, but a living exchange, through which God reveals to His Prophet different orders of truth, weaving together the absolute and the relative, the general and the particular, the eternal and the contingent. An international bestseller, Understanding the Qur'an today offers a new perspective on one of the world's most influential texts and adds an invaluable contribution to the debate on Islam and modernity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780863568541
Publisher:	Saqi Books
Publication date:	03/11/2013
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	916 KB

About the Author

Mahmoud Hussein: Mahmoud Hussein is the pseudonym of Bahgat Elnadi and Adel Rifaat, French political writers of Egyptian origin. Together, they have published many successful works, including 'La lute de classes en Egypte' and 'Al-Sira, le Prophète de l’islam raconté par ses compagnons'.

Table of Contents

1 What the Qur'an says and what people make it say 9

2 The created and the uncreated 17

3 Understanding the Qur'an 21

4 The historical setting for Revelation 25

5 The beginnings of Revelation 29

6 The Qur'an in its historical context 39

7 The Qur'an in the time of Creation 43

8 Text and context 49

9 God replies to the arguments of the polytheists 53

10 God orders combat against the polytheists 69

11 God replies to the arguments of the Jews 75

12 God replies to the arguments of the Christians 85

13 God cares for the Muslim community 89

14 God guides His Messenger 107

15 Verses concerning the person of the Prophet 125

16 Verses concerning the contemporaries of the Prophet 129

17 Verses concerning historical events 133

18 The abrogated verses 141

19 Circumstances and causes 151

20 Yesterday and today 155

Notes 168

Works cited 175

Editorial Reviews

‘Understanding the Qur’an Today, with its careful explanations and logical reasoning, is a much-needed contribution to modern Islamic philosophy.’ Kalimat



‘Understanding the Qur’an Today, with its careful explanations and logical reasoning, is a much-needed contribution to modern Islamic philosophy.’ Kalimat

From the Publisher