Prophets in the Quran: An Introduction to the Quran and Muslim Exegesis (Comparative Islamic Studies) - Hardcover

Brannon Wheeler

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826449565 ISBN 13: 9780826449566

Publisher: Continuum, 2002

Synopsis

What was the name of Noah's son who did not survive the Flood? Why do Pharaoh and Haman build the Tower of Babel? For what reasons does Moses travel to the ends of the Earth? Who is the 'Horned-One' who holds back Gog and Magog until the Day of Judgement? These are some of the questions answered in the oral sources and Quran commentaries on the stories of the prophets as they are understood by Muslims. Designed as an introduction to the Quran with particular emphasis on parallels with Biblical tradition, this book provides a concise but detailed overview of Muslim prophets from Adam to Muhammad. Each of the chapters is organized around a particular prophet, including an English translation of the relevant verses of the Quran and a wide selection of classical, medieval and modern Muslim commentaries on those verses. Quran commentaries include references to Sunni and Shi'i sources from Spain, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. An extensive glossary provides an annotated list of all scholarly transmitters and cited texts with suggestions for further reading.This is an excellent book for undergraduate courses, and students in divinity and seminary programmes. Comparisons between the Quran and Bible, and among Jewish, Christian and Islamic exegesis are highlighted. Oral sources, references adapted from apocryphal and pseudepigraphical works, and inter-religious dialogue are all evident throughout these stories of the prophets. This material shows how the Quran and its interpretation are integral to a fuller and more discerning understanding of the Bible and its place in the history of Western religion.

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Review

Brannon Wheeler s Prophets in the Quran: An Introduction to the Quran and Muslim Exegesis lives up to its billing more than adequately. The choice of this topic, so central to both theology and narrative literature and lore generally, makes for a superb entree to the Islamic tradition. Wheeler s introduction offers a concise overview of the topic and its principle textual sources, including hadith (sayings of Muhammad), major exegetical works, and the important genre tales of the prophets. Wheeler s fairly extensive Glossary of Interpreters and Transmitters is particularly useful, providing brief bio-historical sketches on nearly two hundred important figures in the history of exegesis and hadith studies. His suggestions for further reading, along with excellent Qur anic and general indexes, also much enhance the volume s utility makes this volume a natural for classroom use in religious studies approaches to Islam Religion & Literature, Spring 2005

"This book is a most welcome addition to the relatively limited number of works that mediate the primary sources of early Islamic tradition to English-speaking audiences. By concentrating on the central Qur'anic theme of God prophets and messengers from Adam to Muhammad, it offers a rich but focused selection of original passages from both the Qur'an itself and other early Islamic texts. Selected and translated with thoughtfulness and care, the contents are accessible to beginning students in conjunction with secondary literature on the Qur'an and early Islam; the collection can serve also as a useful quick-reference handbook for scholars interested in the treatment of a particular prophetic figure in the Qur'an and early Muslim interpretation." William A. Graham, Professor of the History of Religion and Islamic Studies, Harvard University

"[a] useful and accessible tool to understanding Muslim exegesis." Middle East Journal, Winter 2003

Synopsis

Designed as an introduction to the Quran with particular emphasis on parallels with Biblical tradition, this work provides a concise but detailed overview of Muslim prophets from Adam to Muhammad. Each of the chapters is organized around a particular prophet, including an English translation of the relevant verses of the Quran and a wide selection of classical, medieval and modern Muslim commentaries on those verses. Quran commentaries include references to Sunni and Shi'i sources from Spain, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia.

About this edition

• Publisher: Continuum
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0826449565
• ISBN 13: 9780826449566
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 411
• Editor: Brannon Wheeler