The Qur’an in its Historical Context

The Muslim World Book Review:

Islamic Thought and Sources

The Qur'an in its historical context. Edited by G.S. Reynolds, ISBN 9780415428996.

This book (Qur'an) came to prominence not because of its scholarly credentials but largely due to the extensive media coverage about one of its many critically discredited suggestions that the Qur'anic "Hurin 'Ayn" is a Syriac loan phrase meaning 'white grapes' and not the 'houries of paradise' mentioneed in today's Qur'an.] [ The book under review is based on the papers delivered at an academic gathering at the university of Notre Dame in 2005 which was motivated by the work of luxenberg. It is divided into three main sections. The historical context of the Qur'an is discussed first by examining the linguistic/historical evidence; second, by looking at the religious context of the late antique Near East and, finally, by exploring critically the Qur'an scholarship within the Muslim exegetical tradition.] [ The second part of the book explores the religious context of the late antique Near East which begins with a reflection by Samir Khalil Samir who tries to prove the 'obvious' influence of Christian theology on the Qur'an.

'The tenor of argument by the various contributors provides an example of the much-needed positive engagement between the ‘traditionalists’ and the ‘modernists’ in Qur’anic studies, such that the historical and textual minutiae of the Book will continue to inspire scholarly and dispassionate intellectual discourses.' - AMIDU OLALEKAN SANNI; Journal of Qur’anic Studies 13.1 (2011)