Opening the Qur'an

<p>Opening the Qur'an can be a bewildering experience to non-Muslim English-speaking readers. Those who expect historical narratives stories or essays on morals are perplexed once they pass the beautiful first Surah often shocked and then bogged down by Surah 2 and even offended by Surah 3's strictures against nonbelievers. Walter H. Wagner opens the Qur'an by offering a comprehensive and extraordinarily readable step-by-step introduction to the text making it accessible to students teachers clergy and general readers interested in Islam and Islam's holy Book.</p> <p>Wagner first places the prophet Muhammad the Qur'an and the early Muslim community in their historical geographical and theological contexts. This background is a basis for interpreting the Qur'an and understanding its role in later Muslim developments as well as for relationships between Muslims Jews and Christians. He then looks in detail at specific passages moving from cherished devotional texts to increasingly difficult and provocative subjects. The selected bibliography serves as a resource for further reading and study. Woven into the discussion are references to Islamic beliefs and practices. Wagner shows great sensitivity toward the risks and opportunities for non-Muslims who attempt to interpret the Qur'an and sympathy in the long struggle to build bridges of mutual trust and honest appreciation between Muslims and non-Muslims.</p>