Reading the Qur`an The Contemporary Relevance of the Sacred Text of Islam

includes index and biblioraphy

1. Overview The Qur`an and me .....3 Style and structure ............13 Approach and interpretations............21 Questions of Authority ............31 The limits of Translations .............39 2. By way of Traditions Atributes of God ............63 THe straight path ..............67 The Qur`an and doubt............71 The Hypocrities ..........77 Al-Baqara: Paradise ..........83 Al- Baqara fall and Evil ...............89 Al baqara : Children of Israel .........95 Al- Baqara : A middle community ...................109 Al Baqara : Fasting ..........129 Al Baqara : War and Peace ..........135 Al -Baqara: Hajj........143 Apostasy and Migragion ....151 Marriage and Divorce .........161 Qualities of Leadership ...........173 Majesty of God and feedom of Religion ............179 Arguing with God...........183 Charity and Usury ...........189 Witness.......199 Prayer ...........205 3. Themes and Concepts Prophets and Revelation ..........215 Abrogation and Change .............225 Time and History ..............229 Truth and Plurality ...........235 Humanity and Diversity ...........235 Individual and Community ..............245 Reason and Knowledge ..........245 Crime and punishment ................255 Rights and Duties ............261 Nature and environment ...........265 Ethics and Morality .........273 Reading and writing ...............277 4. Contemporary topics The shariah...........285 Power and Politics ..........285 Polygamy and domestic Violence ............305 sex and Society ............313 Homosexuality ............323 The veil .................329 Freedom of Expression ..........337 Suicide ..........345 Science and Technology .......351 Evolution .......359 Art, Music and Imagination .............363