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Introduction to the Qur’an

By: Martyn Oliver, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Professor Martyn Oliver
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Publisher's Summary

For people of the Muslim faith - nearly 25 percent of the world’s population - the Qur'an represents the most intimate and direct experience of the divine. For the Islamic faithful, the Qur'an is the eternal and perfect Word of God, and it lies at the very heart of their understanding of themselves and the world. And yet, many non-Muslims have little familiarity with or understanding of this influential text. As a result, myths and misconceptions about the Qur'an and how it functions in the Islamic faith abound. In an increasingly global society, it has never been more important to understand the complicated history and message of the Qur'an, and its significance to millions of believers around the world.

Often, much of what is misunderstood about Islam is the result of a lack of information - and some dangerous and prolific myths. To combat these myths and better understand the complex Islamic tradition, Dr. Martyn Oliver, a senior professorial lecturer at American University, presents 12 in-depth lectures to provide you with a multifaceted approach to Muhammad, Islam, and the revelation known today as the Qur'an. You will understand the origins of Islam, as well as its growth and development across the ages, and you will see how the religion is practiced and understood today. Along the way, you will explore familiar terms and ideas that have become complicated by misrepresentation, such as sharia and the concept of jihad. Combining literary, theological, and historical perspectives, Dr. Oliver gives you a rich introduction to a complex and influential religious text. This course is also a rare opportunity to hear the Qur'an recited aloud by an award-winning reciter who brings the beautiful language of the ancient text to life for believers and the curious alike.

Only by understanding the historical, cultural, and religious framework of Islam can we hope to understand the complexity of Islam, both historically and theologically. For those who practice Islam, this course may help believers better understand the ongoing struggle to understand God’s will and to live according to his law, while those who come from the outside can have a better understanding of an often-misunderstood tradition. Introduction to the Qur'an will show you the beauty and the challenge of Muhammad’s revelation, and how it has moved and guided its adherents for centuries.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 The Great Courses (P)2019 The Teaching Company, LLC

What listeners say about Introduction to the Qur’an

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An incredible overview

This really does enlighten the western mind on Islam and it’s culture and background and present. Excellent and interesting lectures.

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Academic and honest study

This is a very unique non Muslim perspective of the Holy Quran by a exceptionally gifted professor who is distinguished in simplification of such a phenomenal text

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Brief and in analytical

Disappointed with the limp and shallow approach to the Koran. I’ve just finished listening to Lectures on The New and Old Testament which we’re twice this long and critical without being demeaning. I felt like this lecture series was trying so hard to be politically correct and neutral that they were unable to have any meaningful discussion about the Koran. A waste of time and didn’t learn anything.

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Reasonable

Once you understand the epistemological problems of the secular academy. This guy makes a decent and fair attempt.
The main issue is that he has good knowledge in some areas, but some weird holes in others. His pronunciation of arabic words is dreadful, and he doesn't know what the sunnah is. He also doesn't realise that some of the things he relates as fact, and others that he casts doubt on, have exactly the same source, and he's picking and choosing based on his religious beliefs rather than anything emperical. Other than that I think this is a decent introduction, and he tries his best.

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