An Anthology of Qur'anic Commentaries : Volume 1: On the Nature of the Divine

The vast and varied corpus of Islamic scriptural commentary is attracting much interest from contemporary western scholarship.

Of seminal value within the Muslim tradition, Qur'an interpretation has been and continues to be the expression of diverse theological, legal, and mystical understandings of the letter and meanings of God's word.

In this first volume, the interpretations of a selection of Sunni, Shi'i, Ibadi, Mu'tazili, and Sufi scholars on six key Qur'anic verses are presented as a chronological and doctrinal cross-section stretching from the second century of Islam to the present day.

This selection represents thirteen centuries of exegetical activity from the principal theological and confessional groups of Islam, reflecting the plurality and diversity of Qur'anic interpretation in the Muslim world.

The work has been conceived with the general reader in mind, but it has also been designed to meet the specialist needs of those engaged in Islamic studies, its sub-fields, and related academic fields.

The way in which the primary material is introduced, analyzed, and supported with extensive annotation, will particularly appeal to teachers and students within the field.