The Origins of the Koran: Classic Essays on Islam's Holy Book [Hardcover]

Ibn Warraq (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998

This volume rejects the notion that Islam's sacred text is error free and cannot be critically evaluated. The study of the Koran must develop and mature. Scholars of Islam are of course familiar with the book's many errors and contradictions, but these inherent flaws have rarely been revealed to a wider public. "The Origins of the Koran" is an attempt to remedy this deficiency by bringing together classic critical essays which raise key issues surrounding Islam's holy book. Divided into four parts, this important anthology begins with Theodor Noldeke's first truly scientific study of the Koran. Part Two focuses on the difficulty of establishing a reliable Koranic text, while Part Three examines the Jewish, Christian, and Zoroastrian sources of Muhammad's 'revelation'. Part Four is a consideration of the controversial interpretations of contemporary scholar John Wansbrough, who questions the historical reliability of the earliest Islamic sources. This superb collection, which includes additional selections from Leone Caetani, Arthur Jeffery, David Margoliouth, Andrew Rippin, C C Torrey, and more, will prove indispensable to scholars and all those interested in the textual underpinning of one of the fastest growing religions in the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Recommended to college libraries..." -- Middle East Studies Association Bulletin 35, 2001

Product Details

• Hardcover: 420 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157392198X
• ISBN-13: 978-1573921985
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

133 of 153 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Untold truth about Quran!, October 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Origins of the Koran: Classic Essays on Islam's Holy Book (Hardcover)

Hi, I live in Turkey which is a Muslim country. I was looking for the truth in Quran, and try to find some answers for its contridicting parts. It was not an easy task. It took years to find answers, but at the end I found this book which is convering most of the gaps of my knowledge and most of the things UNTOLD to us by our Muslim leaders and teachers. This is such a religion that even asking such question is SIN.

It is amazing to see that how Arabs mixed the verses in Quran after the death of Propet Muhammed. Although they call Christians and Jews as the destroyer of the original Gospels and books. We have a Turkish saying "Clever thief overcomes the house owner when he is caught!"

As for this book, this is magnificent work and a MUST READ for evey Turkish Muslim, to open their eyes and hearts on the topics that is not told, this will help all of us how we have been lied! I am truly impressed about this courages work.
When I see the average rating for this book which is 3 stars, I suprised because it should be higher than that. Then when I checked the reviews I see the reaon. There are two groups of reviews first one with 5 stars and second with 1 and so the average becomes 3 stars.

Please read and check the readers reviews, this second group with one star is the one that blinded our beliefs and hearts, they are the ones in my country who take us away fom the absolute truth.

Since if we do not know anything, will not suspect anything or think but keep following and respecting them. We will become easier to control and lead! This is what they want!

I am just suprised to see that how they reach so far to this site and TRY to conveince the new buyers NOT TO BUY and READ this wonderful material! Unbelievable!

Please, specially, if you are a Muslim go on an read this book to see the untold truths and do not LET OTHERS THINK FOR YOURSELVES but think with your own heart!

50 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still valuable, August 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Origins of the Koran: Classic Essays on Islam's Holy Book (Hardcover)

It is true that this book contains essays that are not the newewst ones (why, do you think, does it say "Classic Essays" in the title, hm?). But it provides the layman with a good overview about the scientific research about the orgins of the koran of the past 150 years, and that is exactly what this book is supposed to do: to make classical knowledge of orientalists more known and widespread on a popular level. And this purpose it meets very well. Therefore I rate it five stars.

113 of 142 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN excellent eye-opening Book, September 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Origins of the Koran: Classic Essays on Islam's Holy Book (Hardcover)

I fully agree with Rahman, the other Asian reviewer and give Warraq's book another 5 Stars. As is clearly evident from here, Muslims have litle of no sense of tolerance towards their detractors. That is no surprise because of the blind faith and acceptance with which the majority of them swallow the religion wholesale. Most of the non-arabic adherents manifest next to nothing in understanding when their scriptures are read in the original tongue, and most will never try questioning the text and its meanings critically. But when discrepencies, contradictions and factual errors glaringly evidence themselves, upon closer examination of their scriptures, as Warraq has done, they will be the first to cry 'foul' but to date have failed miserably to offer any rational explanations for these scriptural errors and contradictions,etc. But what Warraq has done is the honest and bold thing, that is to document the reasons why he cannot accept the tenets of his former beliefs and his reasons for rejecting them. Open-minded people will gain a lot from giving his reasons due consideration. Good work ibn Warraq-and for the other two Books as well!