Interpreting the Qur'an Towards a Contemporary Approach

✍ Scribed by Saeed Abdullah

• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 209
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

How is the Qur'an - central to all Muslim societies - to be understood today in order to meet the needs of these societies? Abdullah Saeed, a distinguished Muslim scholar, explores the interpretation of the ethico-legal content of the Qur'an, whilst taking into consideration the changing nature of the modern world. Saeed explores the current debates surrounding the interpretation of the Qur'an, and their impact on contemporary understanding of this sacred text. Discussing the text's relevance to modern issues without compromising the overall framework of the Qur'an and its core beliefs and practices, he proposes a fresh approach, which takes into account the historical and contemporary contexts of interpretation. Inspiring healthy debate, this book is essential reading for students and scholars seeking a contemporary approach to the interpretation of the Qur'anic text.

✦ Table of Contents

Book Cover......Page 1
Half-Title......Page 2
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Dedication......Page 6
Contents......Page 8
Acknowledgements......Page 9
Foreword......Page 10
1 Introduction......Page 12
2 The context of the debate on interpretation......Page 19
3 Revelation and interpretation......Page 37
4 Interpretation based on tradition and textualism......Page 53
5 Interpretation based on reason......Page 68
6 Flexibility in reading the text......Page 80
7 Abrogation andreinterpretation......Page 88
8 The meaning of the text as anapproximation......Page 101
9 Recognition of the complexity of meaning......Page 113
10 Socio-historical context and interpretation......Page 127
11 Ethico-legal texts and a hierarchy of values......Page 137
12 Epilogue......Page 156
Glossary......Page 166
Notes......Page 170
Bibliography......Page 186
Index......Page 194