Synopses & Reviews
Approaching the Qurand#8217;and#225;n is a major event in religious publishing. Professor Michael Sells has captured the complexity, power, and poetry of the early suras of the Qurand#8217;and#225;n, the sacred scripture of Islam. In this second edition, Sells introduces important new translations of suras and a new preface that addresses the ongoing controversy over teaching about Islam and the Qurand#8217;an in American universities.
Approaching the Qurand#8217;and#225;n presents brilliant translations of the short, hymnic suras associated with the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. Most of these early revelations appear at the end of text and are commonly reached only by the most resolute reader of existing English translations. These suras contain some of the most powerful, prophetic and revelatory passages in religious history. They offer the vision of a meaningful and just life that anchors the religion of one-fifth of the worldand#8217;s inhabitants.
Approaching the Qur'and#225;n is enriched by inclusion of free downloadable audio recordings of Quranic reciters, allowing readers an opportunity to hear the Qur'and#225;n in its original form. The book includes Sellsand#8217; Introduction to the Qurand#8217;and#225;n, commentaries of the suras, a glossary of technical terms, and chapters discussing the sound nature and gender aspects of the Arabic text.