Overview

A RUSA 2007 Outstanding Reference Title The Qur'an is the source of inspiration for one of the world's major religions, followed today by over a billion people. It plays a central role in Islam and ever since it appeared fourteen hundred years ago has been the subject of intense debate. Some of this has been carried out by Muslims and some by those hostile or indifferent to Islam, producing a very wide range of views. Authored by forty-three international experts, the objective of The Qur'an: An Encyclopedia is to present this diversity of thought, approach and school without priority, in order to give a strong appreciation of the range of response that the text has provoked throughout its history and providing students and researchers with a powerful one-volume resource covering all aspects of the text and its reception. Islam and the Qur'an are much in the news today and there is a public debate going on in which things are said about the Qur'an without much knowledge or understanding of the book. Every effort has been made to help the reader use the Encyclopedia as an investigative tool in Quranic studies. The volume assumes no previous knowledge of the Qur'an, Islam or Arabic. Technical terms are explained in the text itself and the style of each entry is designed to be as self-contained as possible. Entries are cross-referenced and many include a brief bibliography. At the end of the work there is a substantial annotated bibliography providing a detailed guide to the most significant books, journals and articles in Qur'anic Studies. There is a full index. The readership will include those seeking basic information on the Qur'an, however the substantial number of longer entries means that it will also be used by specialists.

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9780415326391

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A RUSA 2007 Outstanding Reference Title Readers with serious interest in the Qur'an and Islamic concepts will enjoy this Encyclopedia, gaining a well-rounded sense and knowledge of the material without being overwhelmed by extraneous detail... Because it is approachable and provides an entry point for anyone becoming acquainted with the Qur'an, this useful reference deserves consideration by libraries with religion collections and with interest in Islam and the Qur'an. --Library Journal Quite a number of the entries are of a serious, substantive, academic nature and contain useful bibliographies for those interested in probing a particular subject in greater depth. Highly recommended. All academic and public libraries concerned with the study of Islam and religion more generally. --Choice The complex teachings and meanings of the Qur'an, its commentators, main figures, places, and events are some of the topics described in entries written for the general reader. A clear focus on the Qur'an is carefully maintained throughout, but current affairs, approaches, and controversies are discussed in the broader entries. The entry on the term jihad, for example, is confined to the Qur'anic interpretations in a single paragraph. The history of the term and its later meanings are discussed at length, however, in the entry on war and violence. Copious cross-referencing directs the reader to other related entries or to the appropriate alphabetical location of an entry (Ibrahim, rather than Abraham, for example). Indexes are included by Qur'anic passage, subject, and name. A lengthy subject-arranged bibliography is provided. Leaman (philosophy, U. of Kentucky) authored many of the entries. His 42 co-contributors are in academic settings worldwide. --Reference & Research Book News

A RUSA 2007 Outstanding Reference Title Readers with serious interest in the Qur'an and Islamic concepts will enjoy this Encyclopedia, gaining a well-rounded sense and knowledge of the material without being overwhelmed by extraneous detail... Because it is approachable and provides an entry point for anyone becoming acquainted with the Qur'an, this useful reference deserves consideration by libraries with religion collections and with interest in Islam and the Qur'an. --Library Journal Quite a number of the entries are of a serious, substantive, academic nature and contain useful bibliographies for those interested in probing a particular subject in greater depth. Highly recommended. All academic and public libraries concerned with the study of Islam and religion more generally. --Choice The complex teachings and meanings of the Qur'an, its commentators, main figures, places, and events are some of the topics described in entries written for the general reader. A clear focus on the Qur'an is carefully maintained throughout, but current affairs, approaches, and controversies are discussed in the broader entries. The entry on the term jihad, for example, is confined to the Qur'anic interpretations in a single paragraph. The history of the term and its later meanings are discussed at length, however, in the entry on war and violence. Copious cross-referencing directs the reader to other related entries or to the appropriate alphabetical location of an entry (Ibrahim, rather than Abraham, for example). Indexes are included by Qur'anic passage, subject, and name. A lengthy subject-arranged bibliography is provided. Leaman (philosophy, U. of Kentucky) authored many of the entries. His 42 co-contributors are in academic settings worldwide. --Reference & Research Book News

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