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Review
Ingrid Mattson has written a stimulating and scholarly account of Islam, focusing on the Quran. She has a gift for condensing complex material without oversimplifying and her approach, although scholarly, is far from being a dry analysis of well–known historical events and religious debates. ( Journal of Islamic Studies, September 2009)
This well–researched, informative, carefully written introduction to the Qur′an by a young Muslim scholar is a sign of the times. Mattson (Hartford Seminary) brings to her work an impressive set of credentials. Readers of whatever stripe will find her introduction a welcome addition to the academic literature on the Qur′an. This is an ideal undergraduate text, but also a useful resource for a general audience. Highly recommended. (Choice Reviews, October 2008)
A balanced, academically–based, and well–documented introduction Mattson throws a much–needed light on what it means to be a Muslim. (Islamic Horizons)
Review
“It takes rare skill to make an introduction to scripture compelling, but Mattson has done it. Students will find the text fascinating, a delicate balance of highly scholarly material and inviting anecdotes. Scholars will also find the text of interest, particularly its deft compilation of a remarkable breadth of scholarship. Perhaps most importantly, this text is the first full introduction to the study of the Qur’an from the perspective of a Western Muslim woman, bringing the Qur’an alive in ways only someone fully engaged in and sensitive to twenty–first century realities can do.” –Tamara Sonn, College of William & Mary
“The author has been entirely successful in accomplishing her aims: she has written an academically–based, well–documented introduction to the Qur′an which will find wide readership.”
–Andrew Rippin, University of Victoria
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book provides an excellent overview of Islam focussing on the Qur'an. It covers a number of early theological debates without excessive jargon and would be a good coursebook for students or those interested in gaining a better grasp of Islamic thought.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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8 reviews
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
You will never Hear the Qur'anic Narrative the Same Again
5 Feb 2008
Format:Paperback
If you are among the fortunate ones to read Dr. Mattson's book before your first encounter with the Qur'anic narrative, I envy you. As a prison chaplain I offer that this book will be very pivotal in helping to broaden the frame of reference of new Muslims with limited access to traditional sources. Moreover, as a graduate student in seminary I suggest this introduction to the Qur'an will develop your intellectual capacity to hear God's Voice in the most subtle and generous ways possible. The Story of the Qur'an takes into account where mainstream America is and graciously extends an invitation to sit and engage the divine narrative in the classroom of Dr. Mattson. The normal patriarchal Qur'anic history meets herstory's narrative in this book and an absolutely inspiring transformation occurs to those who suffered from gender tone deafness. Read it for yourself and I guarantee you will never read the Qur'an the same way thereafter. First time readers of Qur'an will be enriched by the supportive and diverse resources to help novices be engaged intimately with the scripture. More seasoned Qur'anic readers are challenged to listen deeper and more affectionately to the Voice of God, so I envy the novices who will be able to listen to the Qur'an almost as if they were with the Prophet Muhammad and the first community of revelation both males and females.
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
A terrific resource on the Quran
24 Feb 2009
Format:Paperback
I am a Christian pastor and high school Religion teacher, and I'm currently using "The Story of the Qur'an" as part of a course for Juniors and Seniors on Islam. It's an excellent resource: deeply scholarly, but also user-friendly. It's technical, but absolutely approachable. Even those just beginning to learn about Islam and the Qur'an will be able to get it.
For teachers: Mattson's book occupies a niche that others don't cover. It explains "what's in the Qur'an," to be sure, but also questions including: "how did the Qur'an take shape?" and "what role(s) does it play within Muslim culture throughout history and today?" and "how have Muslims interpreted the Qur'an?" (Note: these are my summaries, not its chapter headings, per se.)
It's really the last three questions that set the book apart from other introductory texts. Most of these will tell you THAT the Qur'an is important, and many will tell you WHY, at least in a general way. But none I know offer the same nuanced view of HOW the text evolved and how its reception and interpretation have also evolved.
Why does that matter? Well, I've found that my students come to the Qur'an with a great deal of interest, but also suspicion. They are attracted to its emphasis on social justice and are often surprised by its beauty, but put off by its eschatology (which, in fairness, they have only just begun to learn). They struggle mightily to understand the authority of a text -- a struggle that is made harder by the general distrust of any authority that is typical of their age, but also compounded by the media treatments of Islam which are often all they know of the faith.
Mattson is brilliant in giving them ways to understand that authority as the product of revelation, but also history.
If you're serious about introducing students to the Qur'an as part of a course on Islam, this is an invaluable resource. Also good for helping students develop paper topics and bibliographies, as well as for developing a mental framework to understand the Qur'an on something closer to its own terms. It quotes a lot of Qur'anic material, so it might also be used as a reserve book or for the teacher to prep a unit for him/herself. Easy to use as a roadmap for teachers trying to decide which passages to teach and how to understand them.
For teachers: Mattson's book occupies a niche that others don't cover. It explains "what's in the Qur'an," to be sure, but also questions including: "how did the Qur'an take shape?" and "what role(s) does it play within Muslim culture throughout history and today?" and "how have Muslims interpreted the Qur'an?" (Note: these are my summaries, not its chapter headings, per se.)
It's really the last three questions that set the book apart from other introductory texts. Most of these will tell you THAT the Qur'an is important, and many will tell you WHY, at least in a general way. But none I know offer the same nuanced view of HOW the text evolved and how its reception and interpretation have also evolved.
Why does that matter? Well, I've found that my students come to the Qur'an with a great deal of interest, but also suspicion. They are attracted to its emphasis on social justice and are often surprised by its beauty, but put off by its eschatology (which, in fairness, they have only just begun to learn). They struggle mightily to understand the authority of a text -- a struggle that is made harder by the general distrust of any authority that is typical of their age, but also compounded by the media treatments of Islam which are often all they know of the faith.
Mattson is brilliant in giving them ways to understand that authority as the product of revelation, but also history.
If you're serious about introducing students to the Qur'an as part of a course on Islam, this is an invaluable resource. Also good for helping students develop paper topics and bibliographies, as well as for developing a mental framework to understand the Qur'an on something closer to its own terms. It quotes a lot of Qur'anic material, so it might also be used as a reserve book or for the teacher to prep a unit for him/herself. Easy to use as a roadmap for teachers trying to decide which passages to teach and how to understand them.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Quran--History, Traditions and its Relevance.
4 Sep 2008
Format:Paperback
An outstanding book addressing the commonly asked questions--is Quran really word of God, how was it compiled, who is the author, have no changes been incorporated etc.The book describes in detail the importance of oral traditions and how they are continued in 21st century--chap 3 describes the journey of a 17yr old American teenager-Reem- in ensuring the continuation of the oral traditions.
Reader will also learn about the role played by some women and Jews during the life of the prophet. A great book written by a practicing Muslim female adresses most of the commonly asked questions regarding Quran and Muslims. Highly recommend it.
Reader will also learn about the role played by some women and Jews during the life of the prophet. A great book written by a practicing Muslim female adresses most of the commonly asked questions regarding Quran and Muslims. Highly recommend it.
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