The Contemporary Qur'an

The Contemporary Qur'an
Author: Muhammad 'Abdul Mannan
Publisher:
Total Pages: 638
Release: 2021-02-13
Genre:
ISBN:

The Glorious Qur'an is God's divine book of guidance for all mankind. And The Contemporary Qur'an is an English translation of the Glorious Qur'an written in simple modern English for the reading pleasure of everyone who understands English. This translation is named The Contemporary Qur'an for three main reasons. Firstly because the Qur'an is always relevant at all times, hence it must be read and understood in the context of how its message can be related with and applied to the modern and contemporary setting that we live in today. Secondly because the passages are translated contextually instead of literally to bring out their meaning clearer and more accurately. And finally because wherever applicable, the interpretation takes into account of relevant historical and scientific facts that have only been made available by recent advancements in science and technology. Other than helping Muslims and new converts to gain better understanding of the meaning of God's literal words, The Contemporary Qur'an also strives to address the most fundamental question asked by non-Muslims about the Qur'an and Islam, which typically is: "How do you prove that the Qur'an is truly God's words and how can I be convinced that Islam is the true religion to follow?" The following approaches were taken to address this question: 1. In the book's Foreword section, I discussed about my own experience in seeking the truth and how I applied simple logic to show that Islam stands out from the other religions. 2. Through irrefutable historical and scientific evidence that have been proven by recent advancements in science and technology, I impressed on how impossible it is for the Qur'an to be authored by a mortal, especially so for someone who lived in the 7th century; and I also briefly explained how its linguistic beauty is a miracle that can never be rivaled until the end of time. 3. I also showed passages from the Qur'an that Islam is a truly universal religion for all which transcends race and ethnicity as it places very high emphasis on social justice for all. There is no racial supremacy in Islam. Everyone is equal in the sight of God and will be solely judged by their true faith and piety towards Him and the good deeds that they do. A true religion must have this universal feature because everyone is equal before his/her Creator. God cannot be God if He practices racial discrimination. 4. Through my footnotes on certain selected verses, I endeavored to make non-Muslims see that there is actually nothing wrong with Islam even though many of its followers and nations are besieged with woeful conditions mired by corruption and disunity. The problem is not with Islam, but with Muslims themselves who taint its beauty with their ignorance and over-emphasis on rituals that are not authentically prescribed by Islam but are instead "products" of culture and tradition that have been blindly inherited from earlier generations. Because of this, they become occupied with many unprescribed acts of worship until they unwittingly neglect the more important social responsibilities that have been commanded by God to address, such as the pursuit for quality education and equality before the law. Even worse, some tarnish and betray Islam simply because of their hypocrisy that is brought out from their insatiable greed for worldly gains. In summary, the Qur'an is truly a book of divine guidance for mankind which should not be ignored as it addresses the real concerns and challenges faced by every society at all times. And The Contemporary Qur'an is truly special in its own distinctive way which sets it apart from other English Qur'an translations as it aims to help us see Islam as a well balanced religion in living a blessed life in this world and emerge victorious in the next life to come if its true concept and teachings are properly understood and adhered to.

Reading the Qur'an

Reading the Qur'an
Author: Ziauddin Sardar
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 430
Release: 2017-02
Genre: History
ISBN: 0190657847

"First published in the United Kingdom by C. Hurst & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 2010"--T.p. verso.

Quran

Quran
Author: Talal Itani
Publisher: ClearQuran.com
Total Pages: 517
Release: 2014-08-17
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

Perhaps the best Quran English translation. It is clear, easy to read, and very faithful to the Arabic original. It closely follows the Arabic text, and often reminds the reader of the Arabic original. It uses today's English language, and today's English vocabulary, thus it is easy to read and understand. The flow is smooth, the sentence structure is simple, the meaning is clear. This Quran translation has no interpretations, no footnotes, and no explanations. It is a pure translation of the Quran, from Arabic to English, and it does not try to emphasize any school of thought. The text purely and accurately translates the Holy Quran, from Arabic, into contemporary English. It was translated by a Muslim, who saw firsthand the miracles inside the Quran. His native language is Arabic; his everyday language is American English. For 15 years, he studied the Quran. For many years, he translated speech between his mother and his wife. For a living, he develops quality software. This Quran translation is available in two editions. This edition (A) uses the word "Allah" to refer to the Creator. Edition (B) uses the word "God". Quran Sura 91. The Sun. ash-Shams. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. 1. By the sun and its radiance. 2. And the moon as it follows it. 3. And the day as it reveals it. 4. And the night as it conceals it. 5. And the sky and He who built it. 6. And the earth and He who spread it. 7. And the soul and He who proportioned it. 8. And inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness. 9. Successful is he who purifies it. 10. Failing is he who corrupts it. 11. Thamood denied in its pride. 12. When it followed its most wicked. 13. The messenger of Allah said to them, "This is the she-camel of Allah, so let her drink." 14. But they called him a liar, and hamstrung her. So their Lord crushed them for their sin, and leveled it. 15. And He does not fear its sequel. The Quran is the last Book from the Creator. It contains guidance, mercy, and healing. The Quran is a blessing, within reach.

Following Muhammad

Following Muhammad
Author: Carl W. Ernst
Publisher: Univ of North Carolina Press
Total Pages: 273
Release: 2005-10-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0807875805

Avoiding the traps of sensational political exposes and specialized scholarly Orientalism, Carl Ernst introduces readers to the profound spiritual resources of Islam while clarifying diversity and debate within the tradition. Framing his argument in terms of religious studies, Ernst describes how Protestant definitions of religion and anti-Muslim prejudice have affected views of Islam in Europe and America. He also covers the contemporary importance of Islam in both its traditional settings and its new locations and provides a context for understanding extremist movements like fundamentalism. He concludes with an overview of critical debates on important contemporary issues such as gender and veiling, state politics, and science and religion.

The Qur'an

The Qur'an
Author: Massimo Campanini
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 215
Release: 2010-10-04
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1136927638

The Qur’an: Modern Muslim Interpretations offers a lucid guide to how Muslims have read the Qur’an in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Massimo Campanini explores early approaches to the understanding of the Qur’an, including that of the Salafis and the construction of the Islamic Renaissance Movement, contrasting the development of traditionalist and ‘scientific’ interpretations and examining the work of the phenomenologists who followed. This lively book explores the radical ideas of Sayyid Qutb and his followers, a significant part of what is known as political Islamism, and investigates the idea of exegesis as a liberation theology, through the work of Esack and Wadud. Students taking courses on the interpretation of the Qur’an will find this an invaluable aid to their study, and it is essential reading for all those interested in how Muslims have understood the Qur’an in the contemporary period.

The Ulama in Contemporary Islam

The Ulama in Contemporary Islam
Author: Muhammad Qasim Zaman
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 312
Release: 2010-12-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1400837510

From the cleric-led Iranian revolution to the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, many people have been surprised by what they see as the modern reemergence of an antimodern phenomenon. This book helps account for the increasingly visible public role of traditionally educated Muslim religious scholars (the `ulama) across contemporary Muslim societies. Muhammad Qasim Zaman describes the transformations the centuries-old culture and tradition of the `ulama have undergone in the modern era--transformations that underlie the new religious and political activism of these scholars. In doing so, it provides a new foundation for the comparative study of Islam, politics, and religious change in the contemporary world. While focusing primarily on Pakistan, Zaman takes a broad approach that considers the Taliban and the `ulama of Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, and the southern Philippines. He shows how their religious and political discourses have evolved in often unexpected but mutually reinforcing ways to redefine and enlarge the roles the `ulama play in society. Their discourses are informed by a longstanding religious tradition, of which they see themselves as the custodians. But these discourses are equally shaped by--and contribute in significant ways to--contemporary debates in the Muslim public sphere. This book offers the first sustained comparative perspective on the `ulama and their increasingly crucial religious and political activism. It shows how issues of religious authority are debated in contemporary Islam, how Islamic law and tradition are continuously negotiated in a rapidly changing world, and how the `ulama both react to and shape larger Islamic social trends. Introducing previously unexamined facets of religious and political thought in modern Islam, it clarifies the complex processes of religious change unfolding in the contemporary Muslim world and goes a long way toward explaining their vast social and political ramifications.

Al-Qur'an

Al-Qur'an
Author: Ahmed Ali
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 576
Release: 2001-07-22
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0691074992

English; Arabic text with parallel English translation.

Interpreting the Qurʼān

Interpreting the Qurʼān
Author: Abdullah Saeed
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 214
Release: 2006
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780415365383

How is the Qur'an - central to all Muslim societies - to be understood today in order to meet the needs of these societies? Abdullah Saeed, a distinguished Muslim scholar, explores the interpretation of the ethico-legal content of the Qur'an, whilst taking into consideration the changing nature of the modern world. Saeed explores the current debates surrounding the interpretation of the Qur'an, and their impact on contemporary understanding of this sacred text. Discussing the text's relevance to modern issues without compromising the overall framework of the Qur'an and its core beliefs and practices, he proposes a fresh approach, which takes into account the historical and contemporary contexts of interpretation. Inspiring healthy debate, this book is essential reading for students and scholars seeking a contemporary approach to the interpretation of the Qur'anic text.

Contemporary Approaches to the Qur'an and Sunnah

Contemporary Approaches to the Qur'an and Sunnah
Author: Mahmoud Ayoub
Publisher: International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)
Total Pages: 250
Release: 2012-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1565645774

The Qur’an and Sunnah are the two primary sources of Muslim faith, life, law and morality. The Qur’an is for Muslims the foundation of their faith and the Sunnah is the framework of their morality. Together they constitute the two sources of the law (Shari’ah) of God, a guide to prosperity and happiness in this life and to the bliss of the hereafter. Although the Qur’an and Sunnah are materially and formally two independent sources, they are inextricably bound in a dynamic relationship. The rulings and precepts (ahkam) of the Qur’an constitute the law (shar’) of God. They are supplemented by the precepts of the authentic Sunnah, which possess authority second only to the precepts of the Qur’an. The Qur’an commands Muslims, “Whatever the Messenger gives you, that you must take, and whatever he forbids you, you must desist therefrom....” (59:7).

Early Islam

Early Islam
Author: Karl-Heinz Ohlig
Publisher:
Total Pages: 650
Release: 2013
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 161614825X

This successor volume to The Hidden Origins of Islam (edited by Karl-Heinz Ohlig and Gerd-R. Puin) continues the pioneering research begun in the first volume into the earliest development of Islam. Using coins, commemorative building inscriptions, and a rigorous linguistic analysis of the Koran along with Persian and Christian literature from the seventh and eighth centuries--when Islam was in its formative stages--five expert contributors attempt a reconstruction of this critical time period. Despite the scholarly nature of their work, the implications of their discoveries are startling: -Islam originally emerged as a sect of Christianity. -Its central theological tenets were influenced by a pre-Nicean, Syrian Christianity. -Aramaic, the common language throughout the Near East for many centuries and the language of Syrian Christianity, significantly influenced the Arabic script and vocabulary used in the Koran. -Finally, it was not until the end of the eighth and ninth centuries that Islam formed as a separate religion, and the Koran underwent a period of historical development of at least 200 years.Controversial and highly intriguing, this critical historical analysis reveals the beginning of Islam in a completely new light.