The Koran for dummies
A reference and companion guide to Islam provides an impartial introduction to the Koran, from how it was received by Mohammed and compiled to what it teaches and how it is interpreted by Islam's two main branches
1 online resource (362 pages) : illustrations
9781118053980, 1118053982
759517990
Foolish Assumptions
Part I. Revealing the Word of God: The Book
Chapter 1. Getting to Know the Koran
Receiving Revelation Straight from the Source
Guiding the Way: Prophet Muhammad
Discovering the Basic Messages of the Koran
Naming the Revelation
Hearing the Words: The Audience of the Koran
Knowing the Essentials about Islam and Muslims
Chapter 2. From Revelation to Written Book
Revealing the Koran to Muhammad
Collecting the Koran as a Book
Memorizing Miracles: Preserving the Koran throughout History
Experiencing the Koran as Divine Art
Chapter 3. Mapping Out the Structure of the Book
Discerning the Structure of the Koran
Discovering Surah Names and Themes
Finding Your Way Through the Moral Narrative
Simplifying the Moral Narrative of Shorter Surahs
Chapter 4. Discovering the Language of the Koran
Arabic: Plain, Clear, and Eloquent
Literary Style in the Sacred Scripture
Hearing the Voice of the Koran
Chapter 5. Relating the Koran to Abrahamic Revelations
Previous Revelations: Between Sacred and Corrupted
Linking the Three Faiths: Common Experiences in the Scriptures
Contrasting the Koran with Judeo-Christian Scriptures
Part II. Searching for the Soul of the Koran
Chapter 6. Interpreting the Koran
Coming to Know the Guidance
Drawing Out Interpretations
Chapter 7. Understanding Interpretations of the Koran Today
Getting to Know Famous Commentators of the Koran
Influential Movements of the Twentieth Century
Another School of Thought: The Shi'ites
Part III. Seeing the Koranic Worldview
Chapter 8. Meeting God, Prophets, and Mankind
Conceptualizing God
Prophets of God: Preaching a Divine Message
The Status and Nature of Man
Chapter 9. Divining Nature, the Universe, and the Unseen
The Divine Ways of Nature
Inheriting the Earth: The Role of Mankind in Nature
The Unseen World: Angels versus Satan
Accounting for the Soul
Chapter 10. Taking the Koranic View of Other Faith Traditions
Islam: One Religion under God
Honoring Freedom of Choice and Respecting Diversity
Examining Some Controversial Passages on Interfaith Relations
Part IV. Living the Koran
Chapter 11. Following in the Footsteps of Muhammad
The Scripture Speaks about Muhammad
Doing as God and His Messenger Do
Looking at Some Key Prophetic Sayings
Chapter 12. Putting Meaning into Ritual
Declaring Faith: More than Just Words
Conversing with the Divine: Prayer
Raising the Soul Over the Ego: Fasting
Purifying Wealth, Uplifting the Needy: Almsgiving
Journeying to the House of God: Pilgrimage
Chapter 13. Understanding the Koranic View of Self
Connecting the Three Dots of Self Awareness
The Seven Gates to the Heart
Blessed Is the Baby's Soul, a Soul without Sin
The Soul's Journey: From Pre-Birth to the Hereafter
The Muslim Self: A State of Being
The Kafir: A Faithless Self
Chapter 14. Achieving Koranic Ethics and Morality
Discovering Ethical Principles in the Koran
Leading the Life of Good Virtue and Character
Purifying the Heart
Chapter 15. Raising a Family the Koranic Way
Healthy Family Equals Healthy Society
Looking for a Spouse: Let the Search Begin
Celebrating Marriage as the Basis of Family
Bringing Up Children
A Matter of Inheritance: Who Gets What
Tackling Divorce in the Koran
Part V. Relating the Koran to the World
Chapter 16. Connecting the Koran to Society
Divining a Community of the Middle Path
Witnessing the Truth
Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
Uniting a Community with the Rope of God
Leadership and Citizenship in the Koran
Jihad: Struggling in the Path of God
Chapter 17. Purifying Society through Islamic Law
Defining Shariah
Extracting and Interpreting Sacred Law
Searching for Rulings and Principals
Exploring the Contents of the Sacred Law
Understanding the Islamic Penal Code
Looking at the Four Schools of Law
Chapter 18. Struggling for God: Jihad
Finding the Spirit of Jihad
Connecting Qital with Islamic Law
Understanding Martyrdom
Looking at Jihad in Today's World
Chapter 19. Discussing Women in the Koran
Finding Equality in the Scripture
Discerning Women's Rights in Divine Law
Chapter 20. The Koran and Modernity
Differentiating between Modernity and Modern Culture
Promoting Social Progress
Focusing on Issues of Modernity
Imagining an Islamic Democracy
Part VI. The Part of Tens
Chapter 21. Ten Misconceptions about the Koran
Misconception #1. Muhammad Wrote the Koran
Misconception #2. The Koran Is Incoherent and Unorganized
Misconception #3. The Koran Is Void of Reason
Misconception #4. The Koran Espouses Polytheism
Misconception #5. The Koran Says That God Belongs to One People
Misconception #6. God Is Wrathful and Unloving in the Koran
Misconception #7. The Koran Preaches Fatalism
Misconception #8. Jihad Means "Holy War"
Misconception #9. The Koran Discourages Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation
Misconception #10. The Scripture Values Men More Than Women
Chapter 22. Ten Ways to Dig Deeper into the Koran
Comparing "Translations"
Listening to the Koran
Looking at Different Interpretations
Reading Books
Studying Arabic
Studying the Koran
Surfing Web Sites
Taking Classes
Talking to Muslims
Visiting Your Local Mosque
Appendix A. Glossary of Koranic Terms
Appendix B. Finding Prophets in the Koran