Ulum Al-Quran

by Von Denffer, Ahmad

• ISBN13: 9780860372486
• ISBN10: 0860372480
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-06-01
• Publisher: Islamic Foundation

Summary

This classic and popular introduction to the sciences developed to interpret and understand Islam's holy book is ideal for all serious students of the Qur'an. Precise, yet comprehensive, it covers the traditional disciplines, including the meaning and contexts of revelation, the history and transmission of the text, and exegesis, as well as more contemporary topics like the recording of the Qur'an, the history of Orientalist approaches, and a survey of translations. It ends with a guide for the correct recitation of, and etiquette toward, the Qur'an.

Author Biography

Ahmad Von Denffer was born in Germany in 1949. He studied Islamics and Social Anthropology at the Universty of Mainz, where he also attended additional courses in the Department of Missiology. His special interests include Christian-Muslim relations. He has made a number of contributions to scholarly journals and has several publications to his credit. He joined the Islamic Foundation as Research Fellow in 1978 and is presently working with the Islamic Centre, Munich.

Table of Contents

Preface	5	(7)
Foreword to the Second Edition	7	(1)
Introduction	8	(3)
The Qur'an and Revelation	11	(20)
Revelation and Scripture before the Qur'an	11	(6)
The Qur'an, Hadith and Hadith Qudsi	17	(4)
Revelation and how it came to the Prophet Muhammad	21	(3)
Beginning of the Revelation	24	(7)
Transmission of the Qur'anic Revelation	31	(26)
Memorisation and Oral Transmission	31	(3)
Transmission of the Written Text	34	(1)
The Written Text at the time of the Prophet Muhammad	34	(12)
The Masahif of the Companions	46	(6)
The Mushaf of `Uthman	52	(5)
The Qur'an in Manuscript and Print	57	(10)
The Qur'anic Script	57	(2)
Early Manuscripts	59	(1)
Old Manuscripts of the Qur'an	60	(5)
The Qur'an in Print	65	(2)
Form, Language and Style	67	(18)
Divisions of the Text	67	(4)
Language and Vocabulary	71	(3)
Literary Forms and Style	74	(2)
Style	76	(3)
Muhkamat and Mutashabihat	79	(6)
Understanding the Text	85	(36)
Makkan and Madinan Revelations	85	(5)
Asbab al-nuzul	90	(12)
Al-nasikh wa al-mansukh	102	(9)
Variety of Modes	111	(4)
The Various Readings	115	(6)
Interpreting the Text	121	(26)
Tafsir, its Kinds and Principles	121	(13)
The Tafsir Literature	134	(7)
Translation of the Qur'an	141	(6)
Some Related Issues	147	(16)
The Qur'an as a Miracle	147	(6)
The Qur'an and Science	153	(3)
The Qur'an and the Orientalists	156	(7)
Reading and Studying the Qur'an	163	(18)
Etiquette with the Qur'an	163	(3)
Reciting the Qur'an	166	(8)
Memorisation of the Qur'an	174	(1)
The Qur'an on Records, Tapes and Cassettes	175	(2)
How to Study the Qur'an	177	(4)
Select Bibliography	181	(6)
Supplementary Select Bibliography	187	(6)
Plates 1-8	193