Overview

In this book the distinguished Islamic scholar M.A. Draz, one of the Muslim world's most erudite authorities of this century, sets out the fundamental principles of the Qur'an and its much misunderstood and misquoted teachings on gender and women, polygamy, war, faith, Judaism, Christianity and the many other issues on which the Qur'an pronounces. Draz emphasises the continuity of monotheistic doctrine and ethics through Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

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9781860644214

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Written in 1947 by a scholar from Al-Azhar, who also had a PhD from the Sorbonne, and newly translated into English, this is a commentary on, and explication of, the Qur'an as a 'treasury of ideas'. Evidently conceived by a man of faith and goodwill, it seeks to persuade the reader of the universal applicability of Qur'anic teaching, but as with any such volume, it will only sway those already predisposed to believe. Despite its claim to objectivity, the book asserts that Islam is the only true religion. Its arguments are logically circular: for example, since aggressive Muslims fight 'in the way of Allah', while aggressive non-believers 'fight in the way of the devil', war for the Muslims supporting the Prophet Mohammed at Medina was a blessed duty. The image of Muslims at communal prayer 'well arranged, in perfect order, tightly packed', is not one to appeal to the individualistic Westerner, nor will female readers find any comfort in its repeated emphasis on the brotherhood of polygamous warriors. Even in its newly-written preface, this is not a book that takes issue with contemporary concerns, such as how secular democratic countries can best maintain a relationship with immigrant communities for whom the separation of religion and government is a godless and repugnant notion, or how far Muslim women can and should balance the ethical prescriptions of two different cultures. The fear of being termed racist seems to prohibit any questioning of this relationship from the Western point of view, and we have so far waited in vain for a Muslim scholar to initiate a debate about the here-and-now. Despite its obvious sincerity, this study unfortunately repeats what we have heard so many times before. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

M.A. Draz was a Professor of Islamic Studies at Al Azhar University.

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