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The Story of the Qur'an
Its History and Place in Muslim Life
“Ingrid Mattson offers fresh, thoughtful, and learned insights into the Qur’an that are rich in scholarly and historical detail, cultural depth and breadth, and personal meaning. This book will enlighten and engage the novice reader as well as those already familiar with the Qur’an. I recommend it as an excellent companion to the study of Islam or the Qur’an itself.”—Marcia Hermansen, Loyola University Chicago “Dr. Ingrid Mattson takes her readers, effortlessly, through the Qur'an with her eloquent 'zen' like writing style. The book takes its readers on a journey of discovery into Islam's Holy Scripture. It is an excellent introduction for students of Islam as well as non-academic circles as it touches upon the personnel effects of the Qur'an on the believer and its impact on society and culture at the same time maintaining a historical perspective of its formation.”—Khaled Keshk, DePaul University “In The Story of the Qur’an, Second Edition, Professor Ingrid Mattson achieves a rare synthesis of cutting-edge scholarship and Islamic piety. With the Holy Qu’ran as her guide and lens, Dr. Mattson graciously introduces the reader to Islam in all its major facets, from its origins to the present. This valuable book – written by one of the great leaders of North American Islam – should be must-reading for Muslims, Christians, Jews, and all who would understand the Qu’ran and its followers. Recommended for university, Church, Synagogue, and Mosque classes and reading groups.”—Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky, Jewish Theological Seminary
Ingrid Mattson (Author)
9780470673492, Wiley
Paperback / softback, published 25 January 2013
312 pages
22.9 x 15 x 1.5 cm, 0.363 kg
This popular introduction by a well-known Islamic scholar has been updated and expanded, offering a balanced portrayal of the Qur’an and its place in historic and contemporary Muslim society.
Preface and Acknowledgments to the Second Edition ix Preface to the First Edition xi 1 God Speaks to Humanity 1 God Hears and Responds 1 Defining the Qur’ an 2 Ancient Origins of the Meccan Sanctuary 4 The Arabian Context 7 The Arabic Language 11 The Jahiliyya: A Time of Lawlessness and Immorality 13 The Early Life of Muhammad 16 Muhammad as the Messenger of God 18 2 The Prophet Conveys the Message 27 Historicizing the Qur’ an 27 The Medium and the Message 34 God is One 37 Moral Conduct and Its Ultimate Consequences 46 Servants of God 50 Persecution of Believers Past and Present 55 Establishing a Viable State and a Just Political Order 61 Building Community 68 A Door to Heaven is Closed 73 3 The Voice and the Pen 79 A Sacred Pedigree 79 Recited and Written 85 The Prophet and the First Collection of the Qur’ an 88 The Early Generations: Regional Schools of Recitation and the Elaboration of the Mushaf 100 Standardizing the Curriculum 105 Qur’ anic Recitation and Ritual Life 109 Breaking the Tradition 119 The Value of Memorization 124 Transmission of the Qur’ an in the Modern Age 127 Conclusion 133 4 Blessed Words: The Qur’ an and Culture 141 The Qur’ an as the Word of God 141 The Qur’ an and Sacred Architecture 147 The Elevation of the Qur’ an 155 Language, Naming, and Common Expressions 157 Ritual Purity and Purifying Rituals 161 Death, Mourning, and the Afterlife 168 5 What God Really Means: Interpreting the Qur’ an 185 Exegesis before Hermeneutics 185 The Epistemological Challenge 193 Intertextuality: The Isra’iliyyat 197 Occasions of Revelation 201 Understanding the Language of the Qur’ an 204 Relating the Sunna to the Qur’ an 210 Deriving Legal Norms from the Qur’ an 215 Consensus and Diversity in Legal Reasoning 223 Modernity: Making the Words “Reasonable” 226 Some Contested Issues 235 Inheritance 235 Wife-beating 237 Conclusion 242 6 Conclusion: Listening for God 247 Glossary 267 Bibliography 271 Index of Qur’ anic Citations and References 287 Index 289
Subject Areas: Religion & beliefs [HR]
