Understanding the Islamic Scripture

This book makes the Qur'an accessible to the English-speaking student who lacks the linguistic background to read it in the original Arabic by offering accessible translations of, and commentary on, a series of selected passages that are representative of the Islamic scripture. Mustanstir Mir, Director of the Center for Islamic Studies at Youngstown State University, offers clear translations and analysis of 35 selected passages of the Qur'an that will help students understand what kind of book the Qur'an is, what the scripture says, and how it says it.

Mustansir Mir

Introduction; Chapter 1 The Essence of the Qur??n; Chapter 2 The Story of Adam; Chapter 3 Abraham Builds the Ka?bah and Prays for a Prophet; Chapter 4 True Piety; Chapter 5 A Battle Between the Israelites and the Philistines; Chapter 6 The Throne Verse; Chapter 7 No Compulsion in the Matter of Religion; Chapter 8 Spending in the Way of God; Chapter 9 Making a Loan Transaction; Chapter 10 Creed and Commitment; Chapter 11 Love of Desirable Things; Chapter 12 Jesus: Birth, Miracles, and Mission; Chapter 13 God's Blessing upon the Arabs; Chapter 14 One God, One Humanity; Chapter 15 Orphans, Justice, and Polygamy; Chapter 16 Structure of Authority in Islam; Chapter 17 Matrimony: Some Issues; Chapter 18 Prophets and Revelation; Chapter 19 Torah, Evangel, and Qur??n; Chapter 20 Nature as a Repository of Signs; Chapter 21 The Primordial Covenant; Chapter 22 Charity Offerings; Chapter 23 Joseph Interprets the Dreams of His Prison-Mates; Chapter 24 Inviting People to the Faith; Chapter 25 Commandments; Chapter 26 God Makes Moses a Prophet; Chapter 27 War in Self-Defense; Chapter 28 God Is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth; Chapter 29 Qualities of the Servants of God; Chapter 30 Luqm?n's Advice to His Son; Chapter 31 Behavior Unbecoming of a Believer; Chapter 32 Relations with Non-Muslims; Chapter 33 The Hypocrites; Chapter 34 An Argument for the Afterlife; Chapter 35 Mu?ammad Consoled; Chapter 36 Judgment Day; Chapter 37 Serving Only God; concludingremarks Concluding Remarks;