The Koran For Dummies

With the current turmoil in the Middle East, there is a growing interest about Islam—the world’s second largest religion and one of the fastest growing—and its holy book, the Koran (or Qur’an). Now, with this easy-to-follow, plain-English guide, you can explore the history, structure, and basic tenets of Islam’s sacred scripture.


The Koran For Dummies is for non-Muslims interested in the Koran as well as Muslims looking to deepen their understanding. Islamic scholar Sohaib Sultan provides a clear road map, revealing:


* The meaning of Koran and its basic message

* The Koran’s place in history and in Islamic spiritual life

* Explanations of its language, structure, and narrative style

* How to live by the Koran’s teachings

* The Koran’s role in key global issues, such as Jihad vs. terrorism

* Different interpretations of the Koran



No other book provides such a straightforward look at what the Koran says, how it says it, and how believers live according to its guidance. From how the Koran was received by Mohammed and how it was compiled to how it’s interpreted by Islam’s two main branches, you’ll see how to put the Islamic faith in perspective.


Plus, you’ll discover:


* What the Koran really says about women and civil law

* How Islam relates to Judaism and Christianity

* The Koran’s view of God, prophets, mankind, and the self

* How its teachings are lived and recited every day by devout Muslims

* Common misconceptions of the Koran

* How to raise a family the Koranic way



Complete with lists of important passages, Koranic terminology, famous quotes, and further reading resources, The Koran For Dummies makes it easy and enjoyable for you to grasp the teachings and significance of Islam's holy book.

Sohaib Sultan is a freelance journalist and student of the Islamic tradition who has studied the Koran and Islam extensively with Islamic scholars in the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Introduction.


Part I: Revealing the Word of God: The Book.


Chapter 1: Getting to Know the Koran.


Chapter 2: From Revelation to Written Book.


Chapter 3: Mapping Out the Structure of the Book.


Chapter 4: Discovering the Language of the Koran.


Chapter 5: Relating the Koran to Abrahamic Revelations.


Part II: Searching for the Soul of the Koran.


Chapter 6: Interpreting the Koran.


Chapter 7: Understanding Interpretations of the Koran Today.


Part III: Seeing the Koranic Worldview.


Chapter 8: Meeting God, Prophets, and Mankind.


Chapter 9: Divining Nature, the Universe, and the Unseen.


Chapter 10: Taking the Koranic View of Other Faith Traditions.


Part IV: Living the Koran.


Chapter 11: Following in the Footsteps of Muhammad.


Chapter 12: Putting Meaning into Ritual.


Chapter 13: Understanding the Koranic View of Self.


Chapter 14: Achieving Koranic Ethics and Morality.


Chapter 15: Raising a Family the Koranic Way.


Part V: Relating the Koran to the World.


Chapter 16: Connecting the Koran to Society.


Chapter 17: Purifying Society through Islamic Law.


Chapter 18: Struggling for God: Jihad.


Chapter 19: Discussing Women in the Koran.


Chapter 20: The Koran and Modernity.


Part VI: The Part of Tens.


Chapter 21: Ten Misconceptions about the Koran.


Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Dig Deeper into the Koran.


Appendix A: Glossary of Koranic Terms.


Appendix B: Finding Prophets in the Koran.


Index.