The Qur'anic Narrative: The Journey of Life as Told in the Qur'an (Hardcover)

~ Louay M. Safi (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Dr. Louay Safi has written a book that deserves immediate attention and is a must read for both the academic and general readers. The book opens a new way of relating Islamic beliefs and values to the demands of modern life.”–Sulayman S. Nyang, Professor and chairman of the African Studies Department, Howard University

“In presenting the Qur'anic narrative, Safi eschews the selective literalism of extremist Muslims as well as ideological opponents of Islam who distort the meaning of the Qur'an. This is an excellent book for readers who sincerely wish to know how mainstream Muslims read the Qur'an.”–Ingrid Mattson, Professor of Islamic Studies, Hartford Seminary, President, Islamic Society of North America

“In an age when verses of the Noble Qur'an are often taken out of context to misrepresent the foundational teachings of Islam, it is important to study this book in order to see how each part of the Sacred Text provides the deepest solutions to different present day human problems. The author is to be congratulated on being able to turn to the most central concerns of contemporary humanity and demonstrate how the eternal and yet timely message of the Word of God provides the deepest answers to predicaments with which men and women of thought and discernment are confronted today.”–Sayyed Hossein Nasr, Professor of Islamic Studies at the George Washington University

“Louay Safi's meditations or short essays about the message of the Qur'an perform a needed service today. They set forth clearly and gently the core teachings of this important book and show how important it is to put bewildering passages into their literary and historical context so as to make sense of them. Safi's explanatory exposition of themes in the Qur'an shows clearly why it appeals to so many and why all of us, regardless of our religious orientation, need to become acquainted with its enduring teachings.”–Charles E. Butterworth, Professor, Department of Government and Politics, University of Maryland

“Safi has done a great service for all those who may be tempted by a superficial and decontextualized reading of the Qur'an. The great value of this book is the elegant yet accessible way in which it uncovers and celebrates the authentic narrative of faith and human flourishing that lies at the heart of Qur'anic teaching.”–Scott C. Alexander, Ph.D., Director, Catholic-Muslim Studies Catholic Theological Union, Chicago

“This text is a compelling and clear articulation of how Muslims traditionally understand the Qur'an. For non-Muslims, it is not pedagogic or mystifying but a gift for those misinformed by current media. For many twenty-first century Muslims it will inspire personal growth and serve as a reminder of the truth as they read and ponder. I found it not a defense of Islam but an invitation to explore.”–Aminah McCloud, Professor of Islamic Studies and the Director of the Islamic World Studies Program, DePaul University

Book Description

This work attempts to spell out the overall message of the Qur'an by exploring key Qur'anic themes.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (October 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313361991
• ISBN-13: 978-0313361999
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,728,661 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I need to read this to understand Quran better, June 8, 2009

By	Fazrul Ismail "Book Lover" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I want to make it short here, because I just feel amazed with the way Safi looks at Quran. Quran is a book - which needs to be treated as a whole, not to read in fragmentation. If one needs to understand Islam and Quran, read this first. The problem in media and those attacking Quran is because they read in fraction, ignoring the other part of Quran. So every time you feel confused or read anything to attack Islam and Quran, try to take this book. It helps me a lot to rationalize why people can't understand Quran in true sense - simply because they don't read Quran in systemic way or in whole .