Reviews (69)

Error In Quran?
S18 v86 when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness."
Excellent, and no mistakes
This is a well-attempted translation of the Holy Qur'an.Though some people have issues with 18:86, this is due to their ignorance.the setting of the sun can be used to denote a physical location, ie when i was travelling, the sun set when i reached Anaheim.Also, the arabic word used is 'Wajada' which means "appeared", so it appeared to Zul-Qarnain that it set in a murky marsh.It 'appears' that the sun sets under the hills, but me saying that doesn't take away from my scientific integrity.
Mistake in the Koran - Read it Here!!!!!!
One of the questions which puzzled the ancient Arabs was, "Where did the sun go when night time came?" The Qur'an gave them Allah's answer.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - General    2. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions   

Reviews (36)

A wonderful translation with interesting notes and preface
It's pricey, it's a hardback, but for a western (or any intellectually curious) mind, this is THE translation to get.I especially like the introductions to the surahs, and the footnoes, which tie in the themes of particular chapters or parables.This is a beautiful gift for anyone who reads the Quran in English.

Good presentation
Muhammad Asad's classic translation of the Qur'an is presented here in a beautiful form similar to that of the 'coffee table Bible' concept. This book is large and heavy! Inside the endpapers are magnificently ornamented and the pages themselves are of high quality glossy stock. At various points within the volume, the editors have inserted large calligraphaic pages of the original Arabic text in full color. In short: this is the best presentation of the Qur'an available.
A non-Muslim review
I recently received this copy of the Qur'an as a gift.And while not a Muslim, I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to study Islam.With verses in English, Arabic, and transliterated; along with notes and references galore, this copy of the Qur'an gives a solid background on Islam and Islamic culture. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    2. Koran    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Islam    6. Religion / Koran    7. Sacred texts   

Reviews (48)

Error In Quran?
S18 v86 when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness."
Review - or diatribe?
People - you are both wrong in what you are doing. Pro and Anti-muslim arguments really don't belong here. Information regarding the translation and accuracy maybe, but the Quran is not on trial here. Focus on the product - not it's teaching.
Too many hatemongering reviews on here.
TO AMAZON.COM moderators!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    2. Religion    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Islam    5. Religion & Beliefs    6. Sacred texts   

Reviews (46)

Error In Quran?
S18 v86 when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness."
Divine Words in Human Language
Very comprehensive and clear manual to operate in this world. Excellent source to understand the purpose of life. These are the true words of God revealing the code and way of life to make life easier and purposeful. Commentary is very helpful to understand the literal translation. Language is simple and beautiful. Summing up, this is the most useful book I've ever read and it is imperative to read this book for anyone who is trying to find the purpose of this life.

the English standard
For most English-speaking Muslims, Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation is _the_ standard. His language is ornate in the Elizabethan style, but not pretentious to the point of being incomprehensible. Ali lends the Qur'an a dignity and refinement that has seldom been reached by any subsequent English translation since.
Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Islam - General    3. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Islam    7. Sacred texts   

Reviews (38)

Good translation
I am no authority on Quran translations, but was told by a Christian who has spent his life ministering to Muslims and studying Islam that this is the best English translation out there.Many translations put the Quran into Western-acceptable terms; this version does not. If you want to read what Arabs read, this is probably the closest you will get.

Enough of the religious/political spite in these reviews already!
TO AMAZON.COM moderators!
clearing misconceptions
susan said:
Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    2. Religion    3. Religion - Church History    4. Religion / Koran   

Reviews (22)

Well
A tough book to read but it still doesn't explain why muslims are just so intolerant,of other peoples belief's.
A DifficultBut Informative Book
This book is the most difficult I have as yet attempted to read on the topic of Islam. The introduction by Warraq suggests it will be an exposition about the history and structure of the Koran, like those available for general readers about the Bible. What we get instead from Warraq is the unvarnished conversation of scholars with one another. Only Warraq himself attempts to address the general reader.
Serious academic exploration...
of an important topic.Warraq begins with an in-depth introduction of over 100 pages of his own analysis that draws on both Islamic and western scholarship.His is a genuine attempt to provide balance to the quest for the genesis (NPI) of the Koran.He begins with a critical analysis of the vagaries of the Arabic(s), Semitic, Aramaic and other languages that pose so many difficulties in the attempt to understand the passages of the Koran. Naturally, this requires that he pose the question of whether or not it developed directly and immediately as the "modern traditionalists" would have us believe, or whether it came about in some other way. The evidence for the traditionalist view is looked for, but absent.On the other hand, first Warraq and then the other contributing authors, present several hundred pages of analysis of the historic record and a tremendous source list to illuminate both the complexities and contradictions of the Koran and its history. I recommend this book for those interested in learning the historical facts surrounding the evolution of Arabic, the contradictions and abrogations of Koranic passages and the late-appearing evidence for the life of Mohammed.However, I would suggest that the modern traditionalist - who simply accepts the theory of the Koran as the direct word of God through a single man - will find the lack of evidence for this puzzling and the evidence to the contrary, perhaps, disturbing.Any serious Muslim interested in learning the history of their faith should be prepared for a scientific discussion, lots of sources and evidence, and the likelihood that they may either reject it all or face some troubling questions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Controversial literature    2. Criticism, interpretation, etc    3. Islam    4. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    5. Koran    6. Language, style    7. Religion    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Sacred texts   

Reviews (19)

Good all around
I own multiple translations of the Qur'an, including those by N.J. Dawood, J.M. Rodwell, A. Yusuf Ali, Muhammad Asad, and Thomas Cleary. Each has its strong and weak points (for example: Dawood's is clear and readable, but heavily edited and incomplete). This translation strikes a fine balance in terms of both the translated text and the features accompanying it.
Mindset makes all the difference
In response to the person who claims that there was a mistake in the Qur'an: you are bending God's words to fit your own close minded point of view. God did not say that the Sun did set in a pond, but rather, that is how the man (Alexander the Great) saw it. If you read the Qur'an without the intent of finding faults in it, you would not find any; that's because there are none! However, tests of faith such as these are set up throughout the book so that if you do try to find fault in them, you will.
easy to read
I am a non Arab speaking,non-Muslim who decided to read the Koran for myself to try to gain an understanding of what Islam is about.The first Koran translation I bought was the one I heard was the most popular by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.I liked the commentary in this one, but the translation itself put me off because it was done in old "King James style" English.I wanted a translation that was in modern English yet considered to be an accurate translation by actual Muslims.I heard about this translation by Haleem, bought it, and found it to be much, much easier to read and comprehend.I have heard it is accurate and faithful to the original Arabic, but I don't speak Arabic myself, so I hope that this is the case.The commentary in this translation is much less than Ali's and more to the point.If you are curious and don't like olde English, and desire minimal but pertinent commentary,this modern translation is the one to get. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Islam - General    3. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Islam    7. Religion & Theology | Islam    8. Religion / Koran   

Reviews (61)

A very readable translation and good complement to others
This is a very readable translation of the Quran. For the Western reader, it is much more accessible than translations such as that of Shakir. This translation attempts to capture some of the literary style and beauty of the original. The footnotes are especially helpful in pointing out the meanings of difficult words or phrases. Often, the footnotes clarify who is speaking and about whom or what. I find that difficult passages are best understood by comparing several translations and this translation is often the most helpful. An example is Quran 4:3 where Shakir says "what your right hands possess" whereas Dawood translates it as "slave girls". I fault Shakir for obscuring the true meaning by his overly literal translation. My only frustration is that Dawood changed the traditional order of the chapters, and this makes cross referencing rather slow. I highly recommend this book, especially for who are reading the Quran for the first time.

Go elsewhere
I have read the other reviews with great interest.
A summary, not complete
N.J. Dawood's translation has been held in high regard throughout the English speaking world (though not by English speaking MUSLIMS). It certainly achieves the translator's stated goal: to render the Koran in contemporary English. In comparison to Abdullah Y. Ali and especially Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, Dawood's translation flows easily and naturally, while retaining in some part the forcefulness of the original Arabic.
Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    3. Religion    4. Religion - Socialissues    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Islam    7. Religion / Koran    8. Sacred texts   

Reviews (15)

Koran for real dummies who can't think
For the first time since buying a book on-line I was tempted to wrap it up and send it back, this book was that terrible. It went out of its way to avoid any negativity or criticism about the Koran or about Moslems, whether mainstream or fanatical. This is a very sanitized version of this holy book, and unobjective to the extreme.I was searching for true meanings of the Koran elements but reading this version was a complete waste of time.

Koran
I agree with the reviewer below...the koran is a dud of a book. I can't believe people are willing to kill, rape, and destroy over this turgid tome. It has NO STRUCTURE! The suras are all jumbled together with no cronological sequence or thematic order at all. There is no consistancy in thought or theme - one minute the text says one thing then it switches to another subject that has no relation to the previous statement. Sometimes you cannot even tell who is speaking...mohommad or allah.
Good but missing a few points
This is a very good book but I believe it is missing a few points to understand the Quran clearly. When a person having no background in Arabic reads the translation of Quran he finds the writing to be boring and dull. He also fails to see consistency in text, one time the text says one thing and then it abruptly changes to something else.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Essence, genius, nature    2. Islam    3. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    4. Koran    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Theology    8. Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts    9. Religion / Koran   

Reviews (13)

Understanding the Koran
I bought this book along with a copy of the Koran.I found the book extreamly helpful in getting an understanding of the Moslem religion.The author does and excellant job on comparing Christanity and Islam.The text is easy to read and very understandable.In these times anyone wanting to have a better understanding of Islam should read this book.

For Christians Only
I am a Muslim from Somalia and so I wanted to see what Christians say about our Holy Book. This book pretends to be an examination of the Koran but the author tries to show that Christianity is better.In many ways the author's discussion of the Koran is fair to make Westerners more sympathetic to our people and in that his heart is in the right place.But ultimately this is a book by an infidel for infidels.It is not for Muslims.

not good at all..read an honest book
Preaching to the converted. Pun intended.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity and other religions    3. Controversial literature    4. Islam    5. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    6. Koran    7. Reference    8. Relation to the Bible    9. Relations    10. Religion    11. Religion - World Religions    12. Christian Interest    13. Religion / Reference    14. Sacred texts   

Reviews (41)

A wonderful resource
Excellent introduction to the Qur'an and Islam. The translation is a little clunky in places, but the commentary on facing pages is absolutely priceless. I found all the appendices on sound figures difficult to slog through and not very rewarding, but the main part of the text is excellent. I think Sells does a good job of getting across how beautiful the Qur'an is, as well. It certainly reignited my own desire to learn Arabic and be able to experience the Qur'an in the same form heard by Muslims.
A solid introduction
'Approaching the Qur'an' is one of the finest introductions to the Muslim scripture available today. Unlike books such as 'Understanding the Koran' or 'Secrets of the Koran,' which purport to introduce the Qur'an but are more interested in tearing it down, Michael Sells--a ranking Middle Eastern scholar--writes with a palpable respect for the Islamic holy book.
Beautiful approach to Quran
A must read for understanding Quran for beginners to masters.Dr. Sells has done a tremendous job exposing the beauty of Quran's literary power.CD is a bonus, it has beautiful recitation of some of the chapters of Quran.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Commentaries    2. Criticism, interpretation, etc    3. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    4. Koran    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Islam    8. Sacred texts   

Reviews (1)

An Excellent Collection of Current Scholarship in Islamics
The Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an represents the most current knowledge available regarding Islam and Qur'anic Studies.Jane Dammen Mcauliffe has done an excellent job compiling contributions from an impressive list of scholars.Andrew Rippin, G.R. Hawting, Patricia Crone, Herbert Berg, Bowering, Beatrice Greundler, and a host of others all weigh in on issues ranging from the Chronology of the Qur'an to its Compilation; and from Exegetical issues to the controversial questions of the Origins of the Qur'an.Excellent Scholarship marks the first volume's entries on the topics of Arabic Scripts, Language, and Paleography.It draws on recent research and scholarship, including the "paper grave" of manuscripts discovered in Sana'a Yemen which are currently being analyzed by German Professor Gerhard Puin.This first available volume covers topics from "A" through "D", and makes many references to future entries in the volumes which are to follow. While the entries are based on thorough research and academic study, several of the conclusions and observations will be quite controversial in the Muslim community, particularly those which call into question the reliability of Muslim Literary Traditions, and those which are damaging to the traditional understandings of the nature of the Qur'an as a monolithic, unevolved (or even uncreated) source of Divine Revelation.This volume, and those which follow, are certain to establish themselves as instant classics in the libraries of scholars and academic students of Islam around the world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Interior Design - General    3. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    4. Islamic Studies    5. Koran    6. Muslims    7. Religion    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Islam    10. Reference works    11. Sacred texts   

Reviews (16)

A very good book
Michael Cook's 'very short introduction' is the ideal way to approach the Islamic scripture for the first time. Writing with wit and knowledge intermingled, Cook engages the reader from the introduction on forward--the story of the Koran is a fascinating trip interweaving faith and history, and Cook revels in the ride.
A Very Good Introduction:Praises the Praiseworthy, Blames the Blameworthy, & Can Tell the Difference
In looking for enlightenment on Islam, I have found that the currently available literature falls into three basic categories:anti-Islamic polemic, pro-Islamic apologetic, politically correct circumlocution.None of the three types promotes objectivity.
Cook's Koran Demystifies Fundamentalism
There is no better way to learn so much about The Koran in so little time as is possible with Michael Cook's A Very Short Introduction.I own several titles from the series and each has its strengths and weaknesses.This one shares a weakness with several of the other Short Introductions in that the topic is too exhaustive to cover in the less than two hundred pages used by Cook.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Criticism, interpretation, etc    2. Islam - General    3. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    4. Koran    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts    8. Islam    9. Islamic studies    10. Religion & Theology | Islam    11. Religion / Koran   

Reviews (12)

Possibly the best and most faithful
A.J. Arberry's translation of the Koran has taken pre-eminence among religious and world literature scholars. Although Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation of the Koran has pride of place in many English-speaking Islamic households, Arberry's work above all others renders the Koranic language in suitably appropriate, easily-comprehended, English.
TO AMAZON.COM moderators!
I look through the reviews of the Qurans available on amazon and I see many hatemongering diatribes. I want to read reviews that tell me the quality of the book, not to read peoples religious fanaticism and political viewpoints. I see waaaay too much hatemongering in these reviews. Please clean it up or I will take my business elsewhere. Please people, don't take the bait and respond to them, instead report the posts, give them a no rating for 'helpfulness' and call and complain to Amazon customer service.

Answer to 'mistake in Quran'
This interpretation of the Quran is quite good- however much is lost in terms of meaning as a result of the translation, which is often the case when translating a book like the Quran. For instance, one word in Arabic may have multiple meanings. Much is also lost in terms of the sounds of the Quran and it's beautiful rhetoric. This is even what A.J Arberry said himself:
Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    2. Religion    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Religion & Beliefs    5. Religion / General   

Reviews (24)

Quran and women
wow! for a small book it is rich in scholarly discourse. It is not an easy book to read even for the well read. However, it's a welcome exegis for those who want a solid base in Quranic revelation regarding women (from a woman's perspective), and then move forward. This is a rare and encouraging opportunity to see genius at work.

Everyone should read this
Most Muslims are not Arabs, and consequently don't speak Arabic, the language of the Qur'an. So an awful lot of Muslims themselves have never actually read the Qur'anic verses about women and tried to make sense of them. On the other hand, most non-Muslims have never read the Qur'an, and tend to assume that the Muslim view of women is more or less that of the Taliban or the Saudis. This book, written by an progressive Muslim American academic with a Ph.D. in Arabic, should be essential reading for both the above groups.

AN IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE
This black American Muslim woman's profound study of the Qu'ran with respect to women in Islam ismuch needed because it questions the widely accepted attitude among Muslims that women are in certain respects inferior. This is not a superficial study and it bears re-reading and reflection. I read it once while reading the work by Irshad manji, "What is Wrong with Islam." The two books are quite different, but I found they complement each other. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - General    2. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    3. Koran    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Social Science    7. Theology    8. Women In Islam    9. Women in the Koran    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Islam    12. Religion & Theology | Islam    13. Religion / Islam    14. Sacred texts    15. Women's studies   

Reviews (5)

Wonderfully clear writing
Here's a sample of the book's prose. After describing the challenge to some traditional Islamic tenets posed by Izz al-Din Ibn Abd al-Salam al-Sulami, and others, Fazlur Rahman writes "But orthodoxy had developed an amazing shock-absorbing capacity: all these thinkers were held in high esteem by orthodox circles as great representatives of Islam, but such statements of theirs as had radical import were invariably dismissed as 'isolated' (shadhdh) or idiosyncratic and were quietly buried. It took real rebels like Ibn Taymiya to make any perceptible dent in this stieel wall of ijma (consensus.)"
Islamic Intellectual History's Holy Grail
Arguably the greatest Arab-American intellect of the 20th Century, the late Fazlur Rahman's writings are essential readings for the Near East scholar, whether novice or PhD Candidate.No scholar can establish more authority in his or her field of study than did Rahman, which he accomplished through his neverending criticism of Orientalist tendencies.In essence, he breathed back into Islam the very life that the Western Orientalist saps out of it. Islamic Intellectual History's Holy Grail
Arguably the greatest Arab-American intellect of the 20th Century, the late Fazlur Rahman's writings are essential readings for the Near East scholar, whether novice or PhD Candidate.No scholar can establish more authority in his or her field of study than did Rahman, which he accomplished through his neverending criticism of Orientalist tendencies.In essence, he breathed back into Islam the very life that the Western Orientalist sucks out of it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Hermeneutics    2. History    3. Islam    4. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    5. Islamic education    6. Koran    7. Religion    8. Religion - Theology    9. Theology    10. Islamic studies    11. Religion / Theology   

Reviews (1)

Best introduction to quranic arabic
This is best introduction oout there for quranic arabic. Coveres the many important aspects of quranic arabic in a detailed way. As a non-native student of arabic this book has considerably increased my ability to not only understand the lietral meaning of many quranic words the context in which those words occur is also dealt with in this book. The author has many years of teaching arabic and this book certianly will help you benfit from his wealth of experience. Having said all that it is sinply an introduction and more advanced study should be done with texts from the arabic sources. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arabic    2. Arabic Language    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. Foreign Language Study    5. Grammar    6. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    7. Koran    8. Language    9. Grammar & vocabulary    10. Islam    11. Religion / Islam / Rituals & Practice    12. Sacred texts   

Reviews (10)

One of the bases of today's fundamentalist Islam
This treatis on political Islam is helpful in understanding the mindset of violent Muslim Jihadists in today's world.You may disagree with the logic--or after close study lack thereof, in this book.I wish this volume included a better introduction of who the historical Sayyid Qutb was, it helps put this volume and what it was/is trying to accomplish in its proper context.