The Qur'an

The Text Takes Shape Introduction

Origins o Where did the Qur'an come from? o Who is Muhammad? Did Muhammad write the Qur'an? o How did the Qur'an get its name? o How long did it take to finish the Qur'an? o Did Muhammad know any Jews or Christians? o What happened to the Qur'an after Muhammad died?

Structure o Does the Qur'an have different parts? o Why do people say that the Qur'an is hard to read? o Are some parts of the Qur'an more important than others? o Is the Qur'an poetry or prose or both?

Beliefs About o Why do Muslims say that the Qur'an is God's own word? o Who is Gabriel and what is his connection to the Qur'an? o Does the Qur'an talk about itself? o Do Muslims believe that the Qur'an existed from all eternity? o Are all Qur'ans exactly the same or do different Muslim groups have different Qur'ans? o Why do Muslims take a shower before touching the Qur'an?

Major Messages and Themes Introduction

God and Creation o What does the Qur'an say about God? o Is the God of the Qur'an the same as the God of the Bible? o Does the Qur'an tell a creation story? o How does the Qur'an talk about the natural world? o What is the relation of human beings to God and to nature? o Are there angels and devils in the Qur'an?

Revelation, Prophecy and History o Why is Muhammad called both a prophet and a messenger? o Does the Qur'an mention other prophets? o Does the Qur'an talk about historical events?

Behavior and Judgment o How does the Qur'an talk about death and life after death? o Are there descriptions of heaven and hell? o Is it true that the Qur'an promises a paradise of virgins? o Does the Qur'an have commandments? Is it a law book? o Do people determine their behavior or does God? o If people sin, can they repent and be forgiven? o Does the Qur'an predict the end of the world? Who is the AntiChrist?

Religious Practices o Why do Muslims pray five times a day? o Does the Qur'an say that Muslims must fast for an entire month? o Does the Qur'an require pilgrimage to Mecca? o What does the Qur'an teach about charity?

Family and Social Relations o What does the Qur'an say about love and marriage? About children? o If a person dies, who inherits his or her property? o Is there a concept of community in the Qur'an?

Other Religions and Nonbelievers o Does that Qur'an tell Muslims how to treat non-Muslims? o Can Muslims marry non-Muslims? o Are there Qur'anic passages about other religions? o Does the Qur'an promote religious tolerance?

Experiencing By Sound, Sight and Touch Introduction

Recitation o How do Muslims study the Qur'an? What if they don't speak Arabic? o Why is the Qur'an always recited in Arabic? o Do some people become famous for recitation? o Are there university degrees in Qur'anic studies as there are in Biblical studies?

Ritual and Prayer o Could you call the Qur'an a prayer book? o Is the Qur'an used in public worship? In other formal ceremonies? o What role does the Qur'an play in Islamic mysticism? o Can the Qur'an keep bad things from happening? Can it secure blessings?

Manuscripts, Public Architecture and Material Culture o How important is the Qur'an to art and architecture in the Muslim world? o Is there a tradition of calligraphy and illumination for the Qur'an? o Are verses of the Qur'an ever written on ordinary objects?

Interpretation, Influence (Intellectual, Artistic and Literary) and Global Diffusion Introduction

Interpretation o Can the Qur'an be interpreted? o What are hadith and are they part of the Qur'an? o Do certain verses in the Qur'an guide its interpretation? o Are there different schools of interpretation among Sunni Muslims? Among Shi'i Muslims? o Who decides which interpretation is the right one? o Can anyone interpret the Qur'an or do you have to be an expert? o Are there modern and contemporary interpreters of the Qur'an?

Scholarship o How have non-Muslims studied the Qur'an? o If a non-Muslim writes a book about the Qur'an, will that offend Muslims? o Is the Qur'an ever studied as a literary rather than a religious text?

Bible and Qur'an o Is there a connection between the Qur'an and the Bible? o Has the Bible been used to understand the Qur'an?

Influence o How did the Qur'an shape Islamic philosophy and theology? o What is the relationship between the Shari'a and the Qur'an? o How do some Muslims make a connection between the Qur'an and contemporary science? o What role does the Qur'an play in Arabic literature? In the literatures and folklore of other Muslim cultures?

Translation and transmission o Are Muslims allowed to translate the Qur'an? o When was the Qur'an translated into European languages? When was it translated into English? o Was the Qur'an printed as early as the Bible? o When did the Qur'an come to America? o How has the Internet affected the teaching and transmission of the Qur'an?

What Does the Qur'an Say About: · Women? · Veiling and separation? · Multiple marriages? · Circumcision and female genital mutilation? · Hetero- and homosexual relations? · Domestic violence? · Divorce? · Jihad? · War and terrorism? · Martyrs? · Slavery? · Peace? · Governance and politics? · Democracy? · International relations? · Financial transactions? · Science? · Environment? · Food and fasting? · Drinking and drugs? · Justice? · Punishment? · Jews? · Christians? · Apostasy? · Religious toleration/religious pluralism?