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. But is the reason for it because at the time it was revealed to be like this. 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. 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. 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. The books can rapidly introduce people to a given subject, in a readable and accessible way. As a christian who is fairly familiar with my own traditions sacred book, the bible, i found it helpful. 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 word islam means submission, from the arabic root slm, the same root as the arabic word salam or peace. The author seems to be very capable and wellversed. Feb 24, 2000 this very short introduction explores the significance of the koran both in the modern world and in traditional muslim culture. A short introduction to the quran quran add comments.
Language, text and commentary 2002 is a book edited by ibn warraq and published by prometheus books. Some of the longer aayahs are much longer than the shortest. A very short introduction very short introductions. The original sources of the quran white horse media. The koran has constituted a remarkably resilient core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. It is usually translated as unbeliever, but that translation is wrong. A very short introduction very short introductions by brad inwood. This very short introduction explores the significance of the koran both. 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. A very short introduction very short introductions book kindle edition by cook, michael. Sep 11, 2015 this very short introduction explores the significance of the koran both in the modern world and in traditional muslim culture. A very short introduction by paul engel ed stoicism. Fatihah the opening, is relatively short twentyfive words.
He has no authority over those who believe and trust in their lord. In islam, christians and jews are infidels and people of the book. Arberry, taken from the original etext koran arberry10. The koran interpreted introduction oxford islamic studies. This very short introduction explores the significance of the koran both in the modern world and in traditional muslim culture. Ruthven is helpful in explaining the origins and characteristics of the different branches of islam. Ahmad, mirza bashiruddin mahmud, 1889 1965 introduction to the study of the holy quran 1. A very short introduction, michael cook states that a short introduction does not have time to say much p. Michael cook provides a lucid and direct account of the koran as codex, as scripture, as liturgy, and as. After youve bought this ebook, you can choose to download either the pdf.
Oxford university presss very short introductions is a useful series. Here is a new translation of the quran by talal itani, who kindly offered to post it as an ebook. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. What things are unique about the koran in comparison with other scriptures. It is not a poem on which a society can be safely or sensibly based. A very short introduction presents populism as an ideology that divides society into two antagonistic camps. In what ways do the attitudes of muslims to the koran resemble those of members of other. 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. 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. This surah begins with the example of three types of people and how they receive allah swts message. 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. 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. The last sixty surahs take up about as much space as the second. The quran free pdf ebook english translation of the quran.
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. A very short introduction audio book malise ruthven 2004. Im sorry to report that what should have been one of the best and most important works in the seriesfeminismis among oxfords worst offerings. Pinch has a very readable style, free from scholarly pomposity, but without any dumbingdown. From the second surah onward, the surahs gradually decrease in length, although this is not a hard and fast rule. Since the koran is to the faithful muslim the very word of god, from earliest times orthodox. Malise ruthvens very short introduction contains essential insights into. The miniature format of the very short introduction and its miniature price only make the study more alluring. A short introduction to islam plus islam explained by philip voerding a short introduction to islam what is islam. Fay weldon has described the quran as food for no thought. A very short introduction 2e very short introductions 2 by ruthven, malise isbn.
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. As you will see, the attitude of the koran towards unbelievers is very negative. The actual words or deeds, then, that one should follow, are the sunna. It illustrates the practical power of this ideology by describing populist movements of the modern eraeuropean. This website is for people of various faiths who seek to understand islam and muslims. Arthurs classic novels the koran interpreted a translation by a. Islam is one of the three major world religions, along with christianity and buddhism. 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. Islam dominates the news, often in stories filled with images of violence. A very short introduction audio bookmalise ruthven 2004.
In this thorough revision of an earlier volume, ruthven offers a quick overview of islam and its adherents. The original sources of the quran 3 quran and the traditions, taken together, form the foundation of islam. Since then, talal has been studying the quran, researching it, and teaching it to others. Please read our short guide how to send a book to kindle. Download it once and read it on your kindle device.
It contains mercy and healing, and it is beyond doubt from the lord of the worlds. 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. 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. She clearly knows and loves her subject, and recognizes the difficulties of getting to grips with it. Jamal badawi, please can you start introducing the quran and what you feel is the message of the quran to muslims. Talal itani first read the quran 1992, in order to discredit it. Islamic scholar sohaib sultan provides a clear road map, revealing. 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. The quran is one of the worlds most important and most enigmatic books. A very short introduction is unsurprisingly a short text on a complex and loaded topic. This is an enjoyable and authoritative introduction to the mythology that helped sustain earths first great civilization for thousands of years. Ruthven covers a large number of topics in a dense space. 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.
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. In this very short introduction, michael cook provides a lucid and direct account of the significance of the koran. Arberry, taken from the original etext koranarberry10. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and. 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. It gives weapons and strength to the thoughtpolice and the thoughtpolice are easily set marching, and they frighten. 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. However, he also wastes some very valuable pages reflecting on the topic rather than presenting it. I really appreciated this very short introduction to the koran.
A very short introduction very short introductions series by michael cook. He sent down to you the book with the truth, confirming what came before it. Cook questions for thought and discussion what does the koran have in common with other scriptures. The koran has constituted a remarkably strong core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. 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. Kafir is the actual word the koran uses for nonmuslims. In a very short introduction it is often hard to get much done. Cook here succeeds in giving some basic interpretations on significant verses in the koran the famous sword verses, balanced against the verse that there should be no compulsion in islam. The essence of the first surah is man, crying out to allah swt. 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. Why is the quran written from longest to shortest pages.