Product Details

• Format: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• DVD Release Date: July 25, 2006
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000FOQ03W
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,520 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Television > History Channel > Decoding the Past

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Koran is one of the most important works ever written. For almost one billion people worldwide, it is the Holy Scripture, the word of God and his prophet. For others, it is a historical artifact that has left an indelible imprint on the world. DECODING THE PAST: SECRETS OF THE KORAN probes the heart of the work that many outside Islam find mysterious. This feature-length program examines the history of the verses and their implications for modern times, as wel as the striking similarities and differences between the Koran and the Bible. Trace the influence of the Koran from the Golden Age of Islam to the modern rise of jihadism, and hear from top Islamic scholars and holy men as they share their insights into the work that lies at the foundation of one of the world’s great religions. THE HISTORY CHANNEL provides the perfect guide to understanding the fundamental work that has shaped the Muslim faith for over 1,400 years, and will long continue to influence modern history. DVD Features: "Muhammad" Episode of the Award-Winning A&E Series BIOGRAPHY; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introductions to the message and Messenger of Islam, January 31, 2007

By	Kim Boykin (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

I'm very pleased with this DVD, which actually contains two programs: "Secrets of the Koran" and, as a bonus feature, "Muhammad" from A&E's "Biography" series. I've used excerpts from both of these programs in teaching world religions in college and high school. Both programs honor the Muslim tradition of not depicting Muhammad or members of his immediate family.

"SECRETS OF THE KORAN" (91 min.) is an excellent documentary on the history of the Koran and its interpretation. Topics include the religious and social milieu into which Muhammad was born; the life of Muhammad and the revelation of the verses of the Koran; the early Muslim community; the compilation of the Koran; the Koran's relationship to Jewish and Christian revelations; the Muslim understanding of the apocalypse and judgment; difficulties in the interpretation of the Koran; jihad; the Koran's emphasis on the value of knowledge; the golden age of Islam; the Crusades; Islamic fundamentalism; and violent vs. peaceful understandings of the message of the Koran.

"MUHAMMAD" (42 min.) isn't a biography precisely. Rather, it's a presentation of the traditional story of the life of Muhammad, with commentary by scholars who are Muslim or sympathetic to Islam (including two of the usual suspects, Karen Armstrong and John Esposito). This program does a good job of bringing the story of Muhammad to life, and because it's so concise, it may be more useful in my teaching than "The Message" (a three-hour movie about the life of Muhammad), which is also good.

Some other good videos on Islam:
- "Inside Islam" (History Channel);
- "Muslims" (Frontline);
- "Inside Mecca" (National Geographic).

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, December 1, 2006

By	Customer "Consumer" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This program is from History Channel and has two parts: Origin (revelation) of the Koran and Jihad (i.e. moral "struggle" in English) and how Muslims interpret the Koran. There is a bonus section of Prophet Muhammad's biography. Don't expect you'll see actors to perform as Pro. Muhammad and his immediate family as it is against the Muslims' beliefs. DVD quality is better than most HC's historical documentaries.

Minus one star because there's no mention of Five Pillars of Islam (the profession of faith, five prayers a day, charity, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca).

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, January 18, 2007

By	Christopher M. Fulton "Purveyor of Truth" (Streator, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Having watched it when it aired on television, I had decided I had to own this. This helped me to better understand the Koran. It is one thing to have read the Koran, it is another to have it explained (such as it were) by Muslims and scholars. All in all, this was a very informative, well presented look into the Koran and Islam; where it came from and where it may go in the future.