Book Announcement: The Story of the Qur’an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life (Ingrid Mattson)

Reviews:

“This well-researched, informative, carefully written introduction to the Qur’an by a young Muslim scholar is a sign of the times. Mattson (Hartford Seminary) brings to her work an impressive set of credentials. Readers of whatever stripe will find her introduction a welcome addition to the academic literature on the Qur’an. This is an ideal undergraduate text, but also a useful resource for a general audience. Highly recommended.” (Choice Reviews, October 2008)
“A balanced, academically-based, and well-documented introduction … Mattson throws a much-needed light on what it means to be a Muslim.” (Islamic Horizons)

“It takes rare skill to make an introduction to scripture compelling, but Mattson has done it. Students will find the text fascinating, a delicate balance of highly scholarly material and inviting anecdotes. Scholars will also find the text of interest, particularly its deft compilation of a remarkable breadth of scholarship. Perhaps most importantly, this text is the first full introduction to the study of the Qur’an from the perspective of a Western Muslim woman, bringing the Qur’an alive in ways only someone fully engaged in and sensitive to twenty-first century realities can do.” –Tamara Sonn, College of William & Mary

“The author has been entirely successful in accomplishing her aims: she has written an academically-based, well-documented introduction to the Qur’an which will find wide readership.”
–Andrew Rippin, University of Victoria

Synopsis: 

An essential introductory text for the study of the Qur’an, its content, and its place in Muslim society.

An insightful and authoritative introduction to the book at the heart of Muslim life, written by a well-known Islamic scholar

Examines the doctrines contained in the Qur’an, providing a comprehensive explanation of their significance to individual Muslims and the societies in which they live

Surveys the key themes of the Qur’an, its most significant historical interpretations, and some of the most significant figures who transmitted and taught the sacred scripture over the centuries

Considers the influence of the Qur’an on all major aspects of Muslim society, including personal relationships, popular culture, law, art and architecture, political movements, science, and literature

Helps the reader to understand the Qur’an, while throwing a much-needed light on what it means to be a Muslim.

From the Back Cover
This wonderful introduction to the Qur’an offers an insightful and authoritative description of the book at the heart of Muslim life. Written by a well known Islamic expert, this book is a knowledgeable account of the doctrines contained in the Qur’an and provides a comprehensive explanation of their significance to individual Muslims and the societies in which they live.

Beginning with the life of Muhammad and his revelation, the book then moves on to survey the key themes of the Qur’an, the most significant historical interpretations, and some of the most important figures who transmitted and taught the sacred scripture over the centuries. The vital influence of the Qur’an on all major aspects of Muslim society, such as personal relationships, popular culture, law, art and architecture, political movements, science, and literature is also explored.

This book helps the reader to understand the Qur’an, while throwing a much-needed light on what it means to be a Muslim.

About the Author
Ingrid Mattson is a Professor at the Macdonald Center for Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary. She has published numerous articles on Islam and is on the editorial board of The Muslim World. She travels and lecturers widely and is President of the Islamic Society of North America.

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (December 17, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1405122587
ISBN-13: 978-1405122580

Available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Story-Quran-History-Place-Muslim/dp/1405122587/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books