Approaches to the Qur'an (Routledge/SOAS Series on Contemporary Politics and Culture in the Middle East) Abdul-Kader A. Shareef
Description
ISBN: 0415057558
Author: Abdul-Kader A. Shareef (editor); G. R. Hawting
Publisher: Routledge (May 1993)
Pages: 304 Binding: Hardcover
Description from the publisher:
In recent years, the study of the Qur'an and its interpretation has expanded to incorporate insights gained from historical, biblical, literary and critical studies. A variety of approaches to the Qur'an and the Muslim exegetical tradition are currently available. Approaches to the Qur'an consists of thirteen essays by leading scholars, both Muslim and non-Muslim, in the fields of qur'anic studies and Islamic studies. Taken together, they offer a sample of the aims, methods and topics of enquiry now being pursued. Each study has a full critical apparatus, and the book includes a consolidated bibliography which will be of great value to students and specialists.
That the Qur'an needed interpretation and commentary was recognized by Muslims right from the start, and over the 14 centuries of the Islamic era a considerable body of exegesis has been produced. That exegesis (the "Tafsir" tradition) reflects a wide variety of methods, presuppositions, focuses of interest and substantive conclusions. Modern attempts to understand the Qur'an have generally been based on that Muslim tradition, which has also itself become an object of study. In recent years, however, there have been attempts to widen the field of discussion and to experiment with new approaches which develop insights gained from historical, biblical, literary, critical and other studies. The result is that a variety of approaches to the Qur'an and the Muslim exegetical tradition are currently available. This book consists of 13 essays by several leading scholars in the academic field of Qur'anic studies. Taken together, they offer a sample of the aims, methods and topics of enquiry now being pursued. Its "apparatus criticus" and consolidated bibliography should add to the use and interest of the volume for anyone concerned with the study of Islam.
G. R. Hawting is Senior Lecturer in the History of the Middle East and Chairman of the Centre of Religion and Philosophy at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.