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Introduction to the Qur’an

By: Martyn Oliver, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Professor Martyn Oliver
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Summary

For people of the Muslim faith - nearly 25 percent of the world’s population - the Qur'an represents the most intimate and direct experience of the divine. For the Islamic faithful, the Qur'an is the eternal and perfect Word of God, and it lies at the very heart of their understanding of themselves and the world. And yet, many non-Muslims have little familiarity with or understanding of this influential text. As a result, myths and misconceptions about the Qur'an and how it functions in the Islamic faith abound. In an increasingly global society, it has never been more important to understand the complicated history and message of the Qur'an, and its significance to millions of believers around the world.

Often, much of what is misunderstood about Islam is the result of a lack of information - and some dangerous and prolific myths. To combat these myths and better understand the complex Islamic tradition, Dr. Martyn Oliver, a senior professorial lecturer at American University, presents 12 in-depth lectures to provide you with a multifaceted approach to Muhammad, Islam, and the revelation known today as the Qur'an. You will understand the origins of Islam, as well as its growth and development across the ages, and you will see how the religion is practiced and understood today. Along the way, you will explore familiar terms and ideas that have become complicated by misrepresentation, such as sharia and the concept of jihad. Combining literary, theological, and historical perspectives, Dr. Oliver gives you a rich introduction to a complex and influential religious text. This course is also a rare opportunity to hear the Qur'an recited aloud by an award-winning reciter who brings the beautiful language of the ancient text to life for believers and the curious alike.

Only by understanding the historical, cultural, and religious framework of Islam can we hope to understand the complexity of Islam, both historically and theologically. For those who practice Islam, this course may help believers better understand the ongoing struggle to understand God’s will and to live according to his law, while those who come from the outside can have a better understanding of an often-misunderstood tradition. Introduction to the Qur'an will show you the beauty and the challenge of Muhammad’s revelation, and how it has moved and guided its adherents for centuries.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 The Great Courses (P)2019 The Teaching Company, LLC
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Brilliantly explained

Very clear explanation of the fundamental understanding of the religion. Facts and ambiguities are presented.

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An Enlightening Read

As a revert trying to grapple with the dynamics between islamic culture, tradition, gender norms, language, and my own lived expériences, differing thoughts and opinions, these 12 lectures offer succinct contextual introduction to understanding of a book I hold dear. This is an important read for anyone seeking to journey towards understanding the Quran.

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Some serious errors

Though overall engaging and balanced, the lecturer makes some serious errors, especially when talking about the muslim interpretative tradition in the latter chapters. For example the term ‘Sunnah’ refers to the actions and practices of the Prophet Muhammad, not of the community. There is to my knowledge no exception to this, at least not in the Sunni tradition.
As there are several of those errors, some lesser and quite serious, one would need to consult other sources in order gain a more correct understanding of the Muslim tradition.

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Skips the contentious parts

It’s a shame that the author decided to skip the parts of the Quran which might be contentious thus making the book a disappointment for me. At time it felt like the author was being apologetic for pointing out certain aspects of the Quran.

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7 people found this helpful