Customer Reviews

The Story of the Qur'an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are among the fortunate ones to read Dr. Mattson's book before your first encounter with the Qur'anic narrative, I envy you. As a prison chaplain I offer that this book will be very pivotal in helping to broaden the frame of reference of new Muslims with limited access to traditional sources. Moreover, as a graduate student in seminary I suggest this introduction to the Qur'an will develop your intellectual capacity to hear God's Voice in the most subtle and generous ways possible. The Story of the Qur'an takes into account where mainstream America is and graciously extends an invitation to sit and engage the divine narrative in the classroom of Dr. Mattson. The normal patriarchal Qur'anic history meets herstory's narrative in this book and an absolutely inspiring transformation occurs to those who suffered from gender tone deafness. Read it for yourself and I guarantee you will never read the Qur'an the same way thereafter. First time readers of Qur'an will be enriched by the supportive and diverse resources to help novices be engaged intimately with the scripture. More seasoned Qur'anic readers are challenged to listen deeper and more affectionately to the Voice of God, so I envy the novices who will be able to listen to the Qur'an almost as if they were with the Prophet Muhammad and the first community of revelation both males and females.

I am a Christian pastor and high school Religion teacher, and I'm currently using "The Story of the Qur'an" as part of a course for Juniors and Seniors on Islam. It's an excellent resource: deeply scholarly, but also user-friendly. It's technical, but absolutely approachable. Even those just beginning to learn about Islam and the Qur'an will be able to get it.

For teachers: Mattson's book occupies a niche that others don't cover. It explains "what's in the Qur'an," to be sure, but also questions including: "how did the Qur'an take shape?" and "what role(s) does it play within Muslim culture throughout history and today?" and "how have Muslims interpreted the Qur'an?" (Note: these are my summaries, not its chapter headings, per se.)

It's really the last three questions that set the book apart from other introductory texts. Most of these will tell you THAT the Qur'an is important, and many will tell you WHY, at least in a general way. But none I know offer the same nuanced view of HOW the text evolved and how its reception and interpretation have also evolved.

Why does that matter? Well, I've found that my students come to the Qur'an with a great deal of interest, but also suspicion. They are attracted to its emphasis on social justice and are often surprised by its beauty, but put off by its eschatology (which, in fairness, they have only just begun to learn). They struggle mightily to understand the authority of a text -- a struggle that is made harder by the general distrust of any authority that is typical of their age, but also compounded by the media treatments of Islam which are often all they know of the faith.

Mattson is brilliant in giving them ways to understand that authority as the product of revelation, but also history.

If you're serious about introducing students to the Qur'an as part of a course on Islam, this is an invaluable resource. Also good for helping students develop paper topics and bibliographies, as well as for developing a mental framework to understand the Qur'an on something closer to its own terms. It quotes a lot of Qur'anic material, so it might also be used as a reserve book or for the teacher to prep a unit for him/herself. Easy to use as a roadmap for teachers trying to decide which passages to teach and how to understand them.

An outstanding book addressing the commonly asked questions--is Quran really word of God, how was it compiled, who is the author, have no changes been incorporated etc.The book describes in detail the importance of oral traditions and how they are continued in 21st century--chap 3 describes the journey of a 17yr old American teenager-Reem- in ensuring the continuation of the oral traditions.
Reader will also learn about the role played by some women and Jews during the life of the prophet. A great book written by a practicing Muslim female adresses most of the commonly asked questions regarding Quran and Muslims. Highly recommend it.

As an American who doesn't speak Arabic, "The Story of the Qur'an" offers a clear, well-researched introduction to the Qur'an. Dr. Mattson covers a broad spectrum of issues in a very concise way. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to not only better understand the Qur'an, but also Islam's historical context and how Muslims use the Qur'an today.

Once again Dr. Mattson provide a great insight about Islam & Quran and it's values in a easy to read format,,,
I'm looking forward to see one from Story from Ahadiath's soon --
Masha'Allah Great work keep up the good work Dr. Mattson.
Regards,
Malahat Qureshi Ph.D.

I may not repeat the other reviewers input, but the appeal of Mrs. Mattson book is her view as a very capable scholar and native westerner convert. This is very refreshing and important contribution which is free from the influence of the regular cultural heritage and baggage of the common muslim scholars in the middle east. I only wish that English language books that quote Quran in translation would also add paragraphs for the original quotation in Arabic for the benefit of their native Arabic readers, it is not smooth read as we're constantly trying to get the original text which we may not memorize without interrupting the line of thought which the author is conveying, this is my advise.

The Story of the Qur'an, Its History and Place in Muslim Life, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, 2008, Oxford UK, Blackwell Publishing, 262 pages.
This work is written by Dr. Mattson as a result of teaching introductory Qur'an to graduate students. She wanted an academic book that served as a starting point for those who will pursue this subject further. This book details Dr. Mattson's own perspective on the Qur'an, which is the perspective of a western academic who is a practicing Muslim. As the author admitted, an introductory book on the Qur'an can only scratch the surface of the subject and has to be selective in what it chooses to cover from verses and sources.
The book is comprised of the following Chapters: God Speaks to Humanity; The Prophet Conveys the Message; The Voice and the Pen; Blessed Words: The Qur'an and the Culture; What God Really Means: Interpreting the Qur'an and finally; Conclusion: Listening for God
In reviewing this book, I will look at it as a text book for mainly non-Muslims who are attempting to get a handle on this complex Book (the Qur'an). I believe that Dr. Mattson managed to achieve most of what she set out to achieve. I do recommend this book to its intended reader group as well as to anyone who is new to the subject of Qur'anic Studies (Muslim or Non-Muslim.)
The book has a very easy eloquence about it. In many parts it reads like a novel. I found myself unable to put it down even with tired eyes. Some of the explanations in this book regarding the meaning of the Qur'an to non-Muslims are among the best I have read.

This is an excellent book for anyone who wishes to learn about the Qur'an in a holistic fashion. In my opinion it has achieved its goals as stated in the preface. I do recommend this book to any Muslim and Non-Muslim who wishes to learn more about the subject. The storyline in the book makes it very readable with clear language and well defined arguments. You feel in some sections as if you are reading a well-written novel. The book also serves as a very abridged history of Islam, particularly of the important events in its history. I can see how this book will be invaluable to anyone truly wanting to know more about Islam. Very well written book.