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. This book 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 Nöldeke'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.
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"Recommended to college libraries..." -- Middle East Studies Association Bulletin 35, 2001
About the Author
Ibn Warraq is the highly acclaimed author of Why I Am Not a Muslim, Virgins? What Virgins?, and Defending the West. He is also the editor of The Origins of the Koran, What the Koran Really Says, Leaving Islam, The Quest for the Historical Muhammad, and Which Koran?.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
144 of 164 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format: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!
... Read more ›55 of 64 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format: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.
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I read these essays online and thought them excellent and eye-opening. Many reviewers complain of their age. But the reason for that is that the kind of secular, post-Enlightenment critique to which the Christian and Jewish traditions have been subject for over 200 years now, and was begun on the Islamic in the 19th and early 20th centuries, has had to be suspended, largely for political reasons.
Whereas now, in Christian and Jewish, or post-Christian and post-Jewish academic circles, this kind of secular critique is normative, it has yet to make any headway in the wider Islamic academic world, including Western or European Islamic studies departments, where such an approach has largely halted in favour of consideration of devout Muslim academic or student sensibilities.
Perhaps that is a good thing.
But it means those, especially non-specialists such as myself, interested in, say, the roots and origins of Islamic material, or Qur'anic sources -whence certain Arabic terms derive from Christian, Jewish or Zoroastrian Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew or Farsi terms, for instance, or whence the Qur'an derives its stories- have little alternative but to turn to older scholarship.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I have little to compare it with. I cannot give it less than 4 stars.
Whereas now, in Christian and Jewish, or post-Christian and post-Jewish academic circles, this kind of secular critique is normative, it has yet to make any headway in the wider Islamic academic world, including Western or European Islamic studies departments, where such an approach has largely halted in favour of consideration of devout Muslim academic or student sensibilities.
Perhaps that is a good thing.
But it means those, especially non-specialists such as myself, interested in, say, the roots and origins of Islamic material, or Qur'anic sources -whence certain Arabic terms derive from Christian, Jewish or Zoroastrian Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew or Farsi terms, for instance, or whence the Qur'an derives its stories- have little alternative but to turn to older scholarship.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I have little to compare it with. I cannot give it less than 4 stars.
117 of 146 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format: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!
77 of 98 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Muslims believe that an angel revealed the Koran to Mohammed and that it is an exact reporduction of a book kept in heaven. Warraq shows that this is nothing but a fairy tale believed by followers who often can't even read their own scriptures because of a lack of education. I have read the Koran and once was engaged with some Islamic university students who were trying to evangelize westerners to their faith. Incredibly, the student I talked to admitted he had memorized large portions of the Koran but that he had memorized them in the original language and had no idea what it meant as he didn't understand that language!! He could only talk about the faith he grew up with but not what the Koran actually said! What he grew up with was fit for the mind of a child. He actually believed in genies (something that the Koran teaches) and said that a genie had once stolen his rent money and that he was upset about it. I suggested that next time a "genie" steals his rent money that he call the police on his roommate.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Horrible... Don't saste your time!
unscholarly, out of context,and full of lies! worst book ever! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY!I advise people to read books with at least some scholarly merit... Read more
Published 4 months ago by John
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very informative book
This book is very unusual and awakening the moslem world but unfortunately that world will be defiant to the facts exposed!
Published 13 months ago by cagdas
2.0 out of 5 stars
The opening sentence of the book...
""The stereotypic image of the Muslim holy warrior with a sword in one hand and the Koran in the other would only be plausible if he was left handed, since no devout Muslim should... Read more
Published on May 31, 2010 by Arun Gupta
5.0 out of 5 stars
A scholarly work
This is a thoroughly and well researched book, drawing on contributions by some of the world's leading scholars in the field of Koranic studies. Read more
Published on April 26, 2010 by Kunjani
1.0 out of 5 stars
wow
I haven't read this book ... but just by looking at the cover you can see the disrespect. He shows no decency, a piece of Qur'anic manuscript is portrayed upside down!! Read more
Published on November 25, 2008 by Adam Mackillop
2.0 out of 5 stars
not scholarly
This book is just a mere collection of journal articles written by missionaries (and Noldeke). the only original feature of his book is his introduction, and to tell you the truth,... Read more
Published on February 24, 2008 by reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Muslims and their belief system
The product of Muslim can be viewed every time we turn on the television set. We are experiencing a myriad of problems here in Amsterdam - lawlessness, and the inability to accept... Read more
Published on December 28, 2007 by Treasure Books
2.0 out of 5 stars
Speculative at Best
I find the author to be a skillful collector of ideas and thoughts. He obviously handpicked essays which would provide the most proof but if you read the rest of the works of say... Read more
Published on September 29, 2006 by bin Readin
5.0 out of 5 stars
great eye-opener
Some of the reviews of this book from muslims are quite laughable. The reason you dont know much about Ibn Warraq is that it is not his real name - if he reveiled his true identity... Read more
Published on February 23, 2006 by Michael Scott
2.0 out of 5 stars
An Honest Review
In his book, Ibn Warraq may portray someone that has done thorough research on the Quran's history. I am a well educated Muslim Revert that has done thorough research on the... Read more
Published on March 15, 2005 by Through the eyes of a Believer
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