Thursday, July 5, 2018

The Qur'an and the Bible: Text and Commentary by Gabriel Said Reynolds

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
A fascinating look at the parallels and differences between the Christian scriptures and the subsequent writing of the Quran. The researcher takes a unique approach by beginning with the Quran texts and comparing those to the texts of biblical scriptures.

The emergence of Muslim traditions is examined in light of Muslim readings over the centuries. For example, the author postulates that the choice of Mecca may be because it matches descriptions in the Quran, rather than being established from the beginning. The overlap of vocabulary from various versions of the Bible may have determined the choice of Quranic words, which influenced how Muslim exegetes interpret the Quran (since some of the terms used do not have Arabic roots).

Read this and enjoy the similarities and contrasts presented between the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic holy books. Well worth considering for scholars and also for those interested in understanding the migration of Muslims and how they adapt their religion to their surrounding cultures.

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