7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rare book in English for Ulum al-Quran, October 28, 2003
There have been very few translations in ulum al-Quran from the Arabic sources (books) and this book by Ahmad Von Denffer is one of them. It consists of six chapters, namely:
CHAPTER 1: The Qur'an and Revelation
This chapter mainly discusses God's communication with man. How revelation came to previous Messengers, and what are their scriptures. How Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). What is the difference between hadith and Quran.
CHAPTER 2: Transmission of the Qur'anic Revelation
This chapter discusses how Quran was memorized by Prophet himself and his companions, and how it was transmitted orally. It also discusses the transmission of the written text and how Quran was collected.
CHAPTER 3: The Qur'an in Manuscript and Print
This chapter discusses about the old transcripts of Quran and when it first came to light in print.
CHAPTER 4: Form, Language and Style
It discusses division of the text to surah and ayah, and the language and vocabulary used in the text. Style narrative in the Quran. Non-Arabic words in Quran. Literary forms and style.
CHAPTER 5: Understanding the Text
It discusses about Makkan and Medinan revelation. Division of the surahs according to this two phases. The reasons of the revelations, sometimes revelations came to specific event and sometimes response to general question..etc Variety of the Modes in reciting Quran.
CHAPTER 6 - Interpreting the Text
This chapter deals with Importance of Interpreting the Text (Tafsir). Different kinds of Tafsir. Grades of sources. And basic conditions.
It is a great start in understanding Quran. I would recommend for all english speaking Muslims (non-Muslims) who does not have the opportunity to read the arabic books on this topic.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GOOD INTRODUCTION ON THE HISTORY AND STUDY OF THE QURAN, April 20, 2001
This review is from: Ulum al Qur'an: An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur'an (Koran) (Paperback)
As a person who converted to Islam and curious about how the Quran was revealed and compiled, this book answers a lot of questions. Despite the so called bad review from the person before me, this book is very accurate, non contradictory. Any educated Muslim or person interested in Islamic history knows this book is a fine work and a must for those who want to learn more about the Quran. It even presents arguments by the Orientalists (those who study islam who are not muslim) on the Quran.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Honest and Telling Book, September 16, 2003
Many Muslims recommended this book to me (as a non-Muslim) and I finally went ahead and got it. It's an excellent book for studying the history of the Quran and how it came to be.
The author, a Muslim, is very honest about the Quran's compilation, which happens to not match the typical propaganda stories which are promoted by Muslims all over the world. In this book, he discusses the textual variances in the ancient copies of the Quran and the presence of non-Arabic words found within it's pages.
As most of us know, Muslims take great pride in the idea that the Quran is and has always been the exact same way as the present one used today. However, this author is unafraid to state the truth in that there are some textual variants as well as the existence of foreign words found in the Quran (i.e., not purely Arabic).
It's a great book for Muslim and non-Muslim alike. It's time to get away from the propaganda and the hype and start being real and honest about Islam and the Quran.
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