The Koran Handbook: An Annotated Translation - Hardcover

Starkovsky, Nicolas A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0875863779 ISBN 13: 9780875863771

Publisher: Algora Pub, 2003

Synopsis

"This complete yet accessible translation of the Koran is designed as a teaching tool to explain in an analytical fashion the creed of nearly one billion people. Based on the most moderate Sunni tradition, it includes factual descriptions of Shi'ism, Sufism and other important distinctions."--Provided by publisher.

About this title

Synopsis:

America's recent interest in understanding the religious and cultural implications of Islam is evident: more than 15 translations of the Koran have appeared in recent years. But none of them aims at explaining and teaching! Most are presented in a confusing canonical form that presents insuperable challenges to a novice. They lack footnotes and explanations, or drown the essentials in distracting detail. Many of them reflect the doctrinal bias of one sect, whether the Shi'ites, Wahhabis or Ahmadiyyah. By contrast this presentation of the Koran, translated and annotated by Nicolas Starkovsky, is a complete and respectful translation of the suras in plain English, organized in a clear and simple format, augmented by comments intended to make it accessible to readers of all creeds. It is designed as a teaching tool, not as a devotional book - an analytical approach to the creed of nearly one billion people.

Based on the most moderate Sunni tradition, it includes a factual account of some divergences from the mainstream, such as Shi'ism with its flagellations and exuberance, Sufism with its contemplative or "dancing" mood, "martyrdomism" with its suicides in the way of God, and others, to explain the fragmentation of Islamic culture and thought. The Western world urgently needs to understand Islam. Even those who firmly believe that America is a Christian nation must come to realize that Islam is here to stay - and is growing. And to understand what Islam represents, the reading public needs free and impartial thinking, and guidance, as opposed to preaching. In the Starkovsky translation, the suras are grouped in a thematic and chronological order, to the extent feasible, without compromising the integrity of the Holy Scripture. The notes elucidate important aspects of Islam as well as the Koran, and historical notices, advice on how to read the Koran, and an explanation of the method and rules the translator/commentator followed in his work all contribute to the reader's understanding. Nicolas Starkovsky was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1922, to Russian parents.

He is fluent in French, German, Russian, Arabic and English, and has researched the Koran in more than 30 different translations in various languages. He holds a PhD from Cairo University and pursued post-doctoral studies at Columbia University and George Mason University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Algora Pub
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0875863779
• ISBN 13: 9780875863771
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 576