This book is the second in a series that presents an attempt to understand the Qur'anic revelation—published concurrently with the first and third volumes. It continues on the work presented in the first volume of this series to propose a new interpretation of the Qur'anic revelation that is claimed to constitute a more accurate representation of the revelation.
The first three volumes of this series argue that the religion of Islam or rather the numerous interpretations of Islam are unacceptable representations of the Qur'anic revelation. The proposed interpretation of the Qur'anic revelation challenges the standpoints of Traditional Islam on three key issues: inclusiveness, the sources of religious knowledge, and the composition of any acceptable Qur'anic-based interpretation of religion. Each of the first three volumes of this series is dedicated to one of these topics, respectively.
In this book the stance of the proposed interpretation of the Qur'anic revelation in regard to the Sunna (teachings of Prophet Muhammad) and the Hadith (reports on the Sunna) is addressed. The proposed interpretation of the Qur'anic revelation recognizes—in reference to the followers of the Qur'an—the Qur'an to be the sole source of religious knowledge. It does not consider the Sunna to represent an independent or complementary source of religious knowledge. Furthermore, it does not consider the Hadith to represent the Sunna, nor does it consider the Hadith a source of religious knowledge.
What Islam is the book talking about? Is it one Islam that around one-quarter of the world's population follows? Is the Sunna a source of religious knowledge? Does the Hadith actually report on the Sunna? What of the Hadith is certain in its attribution to Prophet Muhammad? These questions and a multitude of others are addressed in this volume of the series.
This book is self-contained. It can be read as part of the series or independently. It does not require the reader to have previous knowledge in any of the topics discussed. The book discusses topics you do not find in your typical book about the Qur'an or Islam. It would interest those who want to learn about the Qur'an, its message, the Sunna and the Hadith. Among this group would be those searching for a reformed understanding of the Qur'an and how it applies today; those interested to learn about the Sunna and the Hadith—what they are and what they are not; and those interested in monotheistic religions in general.
SERIES INFO:
This series explores the Qur'an through a fresh lens, looking at its message, contexts, and implications in ways that are accessible and relevant today.
The series, "The Qur'anic Revelation: A Reformed Understanding," attempts to unravel what can be described as the confusion surrounding the understanding of the Qur'an. It argues that this confusion experienced by Muslims and non-Muslims alike is a confusion arising from and depicted in the available interpretations of the Qur'anic revelation, the numerous interpretations of Islam. The only thing the present author takes for granted is that the Qur'an is the speech of God that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad, everything else is put in doubt. Alternatively, for those who do not recognize the Qur'an to be the speech of God, this series would represent a study of the Qur'an as an independent source of religious knowledge.
This work presents a perspective on what the Qur'an is saying—through a voice independent from the three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It presents an interpretation of the Qur'an and explains how it would apply to people...