The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary

Nick Steffen
Nick Steffen Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭
edited December 2024 in English Forum

This commentary would provide a fantastic resource within a tagged Logos library.

The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Caner Karacay Dagli, Maria Massi Dakake, Joseph E.B. Lumbard, Mohammed Rustom

'An accessible and accurate translation of the Quran that offers a rigorous analysis of its theological, metaphysical, historical, and geographical teachings and backgrounds, and includes extensive study notes, special introductions by experts in the field, and is edited by a top modern Islamic scholar, respected in both the West and the Islamic world.

Drawn from a wide range of traditional Islamic commentaries, including Sunni and Shia sources, and from legal, theological, and mystical texts, The Study Quran conveys the enduring spiritual power of the Quran and offers a thorough scholarly understanding of this holy text.

Beautifully packaged with a rich, attractive two-color layout, this magnificent volume includes essays by 15 contributors, maps, useful notes and annotations in an easy-to-read two-column format, a timeline of historical events, and helpful indices. With The Study Quran, both scholars and lay readers can explore the deeper spiritual meaning of the Quran, examine the grammar of difficult sections, and explore legal and ritual teachings, ethics, theology, sacred history, and the importance of various passages in Muslim life.

With an introduction by its general editor, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, here is a nearly 2,000-page, continuous discussion of the entire Quran that provides a comprehensive picture of how this sacred work has been read by Muslims for over 1,400 years.'

Comments

  • John Kight
    John Kight Member Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭

    [y]

    For book reviews and more visit sojotheo.com 

  • Ben
    Ben Member Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭

    "The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected."- G.K. Chesterton

  • Nick Steffen
    Nick Steffen Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭
  • Ben
    Ben Member Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭

    The forum moves pretty fast sometimes. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.- Ferris Bueller. [H]

    "The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected."- G.K. Chesterton

  • Steven Yu
    Steven Yu Member Posts: 212 ✭✭

    [Y]

    "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free", John 8:32.
    "你們必定認識真理,真理必定使你們自由", 約翰福音 8:3.

  • Thomas Powers
    Thomas Powers Member Posts: 3 ✭✭

    How can I add another "vote" or encouragement for the Logos gnomes to code the book over to Logos.  I talked with the book editor at Harper Collins, Mickey Maudlin, and he'd love to have Logos pick up this book.

  • Glenn Crouch
    Glenn Crouch Member Posts: 560 ✭✭

    [Y]

    Pastor Glenn Crouch
    St Paul's Lutheran Church
    Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia

  • Fred Littlefield
    Fred Littlefield Member Posts: 145 ✭✭

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Logos was about the Bible and other Christian Resources. To call the Quran "Holy Text" is not accurate for a Christian. Either we believe the Bible or we don't. Both cannot be true. Don't get me wrong, I have a Quran in my Logos library, to see what it says on specific topics, and have spent time studying the blood thirsty history of Islam.

    I would rather see Logos use its precious resources and time on something more worthy of the name of Jesus Christ.

  • James Taylor
    James Taylor Member Posts: 1,408 ✭✭✭

    To call the Quran "Holy Text" is not accurate for a Christian

    Exactly, however notice the quotation marks on the original post, it was taken from a review/product description, it is obviously not written by a Christian! 

    Logos 10  | Dell Inspiron 7373 | Windows 11 Pro 64, i7, 16GB, SSD | iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • Caleb S.
    Caleb S. Member Posts: 585 ✭✭

    [Y]

  • Christopher J Schafer
    Christopher J Schafer Member Posts: 6 ✭✭

    Fred, you are right that Logos is a Bible Software, but if your job as Christian involves interfaith dialogue, as does mine, to include traveling as part of such a ministry then such a resources is 'worthy.'  The ability to have the Logos Library at my fingertips, to include such resources of other faiths is invaluable.  Keep in mind that while there are differences between the religions that we will never agree upon, there are also commonalities between Christians and Muslim.  You'd be surprised that if you open yourself up a bit, the cross-faith understanding can actually help you grow in and clarify your own.  I challenge you to consider that just because your personal study or ministry doesn't include conversations with people of faith doesn't mean that others don't.  Not every resource is designed for you.  I would be careful to throw hateful words like 'blood-thirsty history' around.  Such words don't demonstrate a more peaceful notion, not to mention the fact that you can't avoid the violence and extremism that has come out of Christianity.  Be careful what you say or you'll up perpetuating the discord.  I say all this say, check yourself, my brother.  Blessed are the peacemakers for they are to be called children of God.

  • Kiyah
    Kiyah Member Posts: 2,842 ✭✭✭✭

    This would be a great resource to have in the software.  If people are uncomfortable, maybe brand it as a Noet resource that is available for Logos users.  Many Christians around the globe live in countries that are either predominantly or largely Muslim, not to mention the fact that the US is increasingly religiously diverse.  Christians need to be realistic about the real world context that they live in and be well equipped to minister in that context.  A resource like this would be very helpful in having basic info about Islam and having a good, more up-to-date translation of the Quran.

  • Nick Steffen
    Nick Steffen Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭

    Now that Gordon Nickel's Quran with Christian Commentary has been completed, I would like to renew my (and Ben's) call to bring Nasr's Study Quran into Logos. Beyond what Nickel's commentary provides, Nasr's Study Quran provides a much deeper perspective of what's going on within the text itself and within the traditions of reading. I would like to provide an admittedly cherry-picked example of the increased depth on one particular verse that sets Nasr's commentary apart. From the example below, I hope you can see that while Nickel's commentary may be helpful for Christians learning about the Quran, Nasr's Study Quran would be a vital source for anyone wanting to understand the Quran and the tradition more deeply. I really hope we can bring it into Logos!

    ----

    In Surah 4:3, Nickel's Quran with Christian Commentary states:

    4.3—marry what seems good to you of the women: two, or three, or four

    The famous permission for Muslim men to have up to four wives is based on this verse. The surrounding context seems to concern the treatment of orphan girls.

    ----

    By comparison, here is Nasr's Study Quran commentary on the Surah 4:3 (the capital letters are references to commentators).

    3 This verse makes a connection between the just treatment of orphans and just marriage practices. It can indicate simply that people should be equally vigilant concerning the proper treatment of wives and orphans (Ṭ). This means marrying only the women whom one can properly support and whose rights in marriage one can uphold. All commentators are explicit that this verse did not establish a new license for polygamy or encourage it, but rather limited the more excessive practices of polygamy common in pre-Islamic Arabia by setting four as the maximum number of wives a man can have at one time. If a man is unable to adequately provide for multiple wives or treat them equitably, he is advised to take only one. If providing for even one would prove difficult, he is advised to take a slave wife (those whom your right hands possess), because a slave wife, although entitled to kind treatment, was not owed the same financial and conjugal rights as a free wife (see v. 25). A man who takes more wives than he can provide for from his own wealth may be tempted to pilfer the property of orphans in his care to maintain while mistreating her. The verse instructs men who might be tempted toward these abusive practices to marry women not in their custody and thus not vulnerable to these abuses (IK, Q, Ṭ). ʿĀʾishah asserts that v. 127, which criticizes men for wishing to marry orphan girls without giving them their bridal gifts, was a Divine clarification of the injunction in the present verse (IK).

    Dealing justly between one’s wives means treating them equitably with regard to financial support, love, companionship, and conjugal relations (Q). V. 129 states that men will never be able to deal equitably between their wives, even if they desire to do so. Some have asserted that although treating one’s wives equally is an ideal one should strive for, lack of perfection in this regard does not itself nullify the legitimacy of polygamous marriage (see 4:129c). This whole verse revolves around the issue of justice; it favors neither polygamy nor monogamy absolutely and advises the form that best facilitates the just treatment of orphans, wives, and other dependents.”

  • SineNomine
    SineNomine Member Posts: 7,012 ✭✭✭

    Beyond what Nickel's commentary provides, Nasr's Study Quran provides a much deeper perspective of what's going on within the text itself and within the traditions of reading. I would like to provide an admittedly cherry-picked example of the increased depth on one particular verse that sets Nasr's commentary apart.

    Relying only on your cherry-picked verse: Nickel tells me nothing, and that without confidence; Nasr tells me something, and that with scholarly authority.

    “The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself.” St. Peter of Alcántara

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,942 ✭✭✭

    Beyond what Nickel's commentary provides, Nasr's Study Quran provides a much deeper perspective of what's going on within the text itself and within the traditions of reading. I would like to provide an admittedly cherry-picked example of the increased depth on one particular verse that sets Nasr's commentary apart.

    Relying only on your cherry-picked verse: Nickel tells me nothing, and that without confidence; Nasr tells me something, and that with scholarly authority.

    I want Nars, but I’ll keep Nickel’s two cents until Nars comes along.

    DAL

  • Ted Hans
    Ted Hans MVP Posts: 3,174

    [Y][Y][Y]

    Dell, studio XPS 7100, Ram 8GB, 64 - bit Operating System, AMD Phenom(mt) IIX6 1055T Processor 2.80 GHZ

  • SineNomine
    SineNomine Member Posts: 7,012 ✭✭✭

    DAL said:

    Beyond what Nickel's commentary provides, Nasr's Study Quran provides a much deeper perspective of what's going on within the text itself and within the traditions of reading. I would like to provide an admittedly cherry-picked example of the increased depth on one particular verse that sets Nasr's commentary apart.

    Relying only on your cherry-picked verse: Nickel tells me nothing, and that without confidence; Nasr tells me something, and that with scholarly authority.

    I want Nars, but I’ll keep Nickel’s two cents until Nars comes along.

    DAL

    For two cents, I'd get Nickel's work too. [;)]

    “The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself.” St. Peter of Alcántara

  • Nick Steffen
    Nick Steffen Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭

    The conclusion of Abdullah Drury's book review of the Study Quran published in journal Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations offers this:

    "This project will appeal not only to Muslim students of the Qur’an (though they may benefit the most) but also to non-Muslims eager to advance their knowledge and comprehension of the Islamic faith. The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary will be a considerable asset to academics and graduate students of religious studies in particular. This meticulous approach to the erudition of the Qur’an, to the relationship between Muslims and their scripture, makes Nasr’s charming study book a refreshingly contemporary interpretation that relies on both traditional tafsīr sources and modern pedagogy, and fills a sorely felt gap."

    Abdullah Drury (2016): The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary, Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations, DOI: 10.1080/09596410.2016.1148886

  • Nick Steffen
    Nick Steffen Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭
  • Nick Steffen
    Nick Steffen Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭

    I created a Faithlife Feedback page requesting the Study Quran. Please add in your vote!

  • David Paul
    David Paul Member Posts: 6,121 ✭✭✭

    I've had a chance to read some in this title, and tbh, it was the only Quran I've ever felt enough interest to pick up. The commentary provides enough context to make the text come across as informational rather than preachy, doctrinal, and confrontational. I would pick this up if it were available in Logos. If Logos doesn't get it, I guess I'll send more money Amazon's way.

    ASUS  ProArt x570s Creator, AMD R9 5950x, HyperX 64gb 3600 RAM, ASUS Strix RTX 2080 ti

    "The Unbelievable Work...believe it or not."  Little children...Biblical prophecy is not Christianity's friend.

  • Nick Steffen
    Nick Steffen Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭

    It's been a year since the last comment, so I will renew my request and suggest that anyone else interested in Islam consider voting for this text.

  • Kathleen Marie
    Kathleen Marie Member Posts: 816 ✭✭

    Thank you for making me aware this book exists! I voted for it in Logos.

  • Nick Steffen
    Nick Steffen Member Posts: 673 ✭✭✭

    I will add in another bump for those interested to vote for this resource.