The Qur'an: An Introduction

The Qur’an is often encountered through selective quotations, yet its depth and complexity extend far beyond such fragmentary readings. This thoroughly revised second edition of The Qur’an: An Introduction provides an accessible yet scholarly guide to the many dimensions of Qur’anic study, designed for Muslim and non‑Muslim students across both Muslim and Western contexts. This comprehensive new edition features:

• Revisions across multiple chapters – incorporating new research and contemporary debates in Qur’anic studies
• Integration of a diverse range of Muslim scholarly voices, particularly thinkers and exegetes from the modern period
• Expanded discussion on the history of the Qur’anic text – drawing on recent scholarship
• A new practical chapter introducing a contextualist approach to interpreting the Qur’an
• Updated recommended readings that reflect current scholarship

Maintaining its student‑friendly approach – with illustrative examples, clear summaries, helpful timelines and a comprehensive glossary – this edition engages both Western academic perspectives and the rich interpretive traditions that have evolved from the time of Prophet Muhammad to the present day. This essential guide bridges historical understanding with contemporary relevance, offering readers a balanced and thorough introduction to Islam’s foundational text and its profound influence across centuries of religious thought.

Introduction 1. The Qur’an in its Context 2. Revelation and the Qur’an 3. The Qur’an as scripture 4. Major themes and text types 5. The Qur’an in daily life 6. Western scholarship and the Qur’an 7. Translation of the Qur’an 8. The Qur’an and other scriptures 9. Ethico-legal teachings 10. Selected exegetical principles and ideas 11. Approached to Qur’anic exegesis 12. Modern interpretation of the Qur’an 13. A Contextualist Approach to Interpreting the Qur’an Today: A Practical Guide

Abdullah Saeed is the Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies and Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor at the University of Melbourne. He has written widely on the Qur’an, Islamic thought, and contemporary Muslim issues. His publications include Contemporary Muslim Qur’ānic Hermeneutics (editor, 2026), Contemporary Approaches to the Qur’an and Its Interpretation in Iran (co‑author, 2020), Reading the Qur’an in the Twenty‑First Century: A Contextualist Approach (2014), Interpreting the Qur’an (2006), Approaches to the Qur’an in Contemporary Indonesia (editor, 2005), Freedom of Religion, Apostasy and Islam (co‑author, 2004), Islam and Political Legitimacy (co‑editor, 2004), Islam in Australia (2003) and Islamic Banking and Interest (1996).