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  4. Recommended books on Quran/Islam & related topics

Recommended books on Quran/Islam & related topics

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Questions/Comments on the Quran
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    arnoldyasin
    wrote on last edited by
    #22

    http//ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41amT6CqG8L.SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20.jpg

    Moral Agents and Their Deserts The Character of Mu'tazilite Ethics

    Review
    Moral Agents and Their Deserts is a significant addition to the study of Mu?tazilite thought and Muslim ethics. The book details other works on the subject and speaks with distinct authority about the material. It articulates the broad issues of this subject with rigor, personal engagement, and a distinct concern for relevance. The book will form a welcome bridge between this highly specialized subject and nonspecialists, and certainly others working in fields such as Islamic thought or medieval philosophy.
    (Toby Mayer, the Institute of Ismaili Studies, London )

    Product Description

    Must good deeds be rewarded and wrongdoers punished? Would God be unjust if He failed to punish and reward? And what is it about good or evil actions and moral identity that might generate such necessities? These were some of the vital religious and philosophical questions that eighth- and ninth-century Mu'tazilite theologians and their sophisticated successors attempted to answer, giving rise to a distinctive ethical position and one of the most prominent and controversial intellectual trends in medieval Islam. The Mu'tazilites developed a view of ethics whose distinguishing features were its austere moral objectivism and the crucial role it assigned to reason in the knowledge of moral truths. Central to this ethical vision was the notion of moral desert, and of the good and evil consequences--reward or punishment--deserved through a person's acts.

    Moral Agents and Their Deserts is the first book-length study of this central theme in Mu'tazilite ethics, and an attempt to grapple with the philosophical questions it raises. At the same time, it is a bid to question the ways in which modern readers, coming to medieval Islamic thought with a philosophical interest, seek to read and converse with Mu'tazilite theology. Moral Agents and Their Deserts tracks the challenges and rewards involved in the pursuit of the right conversation at the seams between modern and medieval concerns.

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      arnoldyasin
      wrote on last edited by
      #23

      Concise Dictionary of Koranic Arabic (Hardcover)
      by Arne A. Ambros

      http//ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41jEMpFjOEL.SL500_AA240.jpg

      The Nouns of Koranic Arabic Arranged by Topics A Companion Volume to the Concise Dictionary of Koranic Arabic (Hardcover)
      by Arne A. Ambros

      http//ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FYPQoiM%2BL.SL500_AA240.jpg

      This dictionary undertakes, for the first time, to group the substantives and adjectives in the Arabic Koran by topics, with glosses in English. The categories are partly derived from nature such as Astronomy, Metals or Human Sexuality, partly they reflect the great themes of the text, such as Guidance and Straying or Obedience and Disobedience. An English index enables the user to check if a certain concept occurs and how it is expressed in the Arabic Koran.

      These are beautiful and very informative books. The roots are laid out in all the forms and uses and how the words are used in the Qur'an. Here is a scanned page of the book

      http//deenrc.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/dictionary-of-koranic-arabicp164.pdf

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        the_seeker
        wrote on last edited by
        #24

        The Arabic Language
        by Kees Versteegh

        http//img.bol.com/intershoproot/BOOKCOVER/FC/0/7/4/8/6/0748614362.gif

        A general introduction to Arabic, which places special emphasis on its history and use. Charting the history and development of the Arabic language (mother tongue of more than 150 million speakers) from the earliest beginnings to modern times, the text concentrates on the difference between two types of Arabic the Classical standard language; and the dialects. It offers the student a solid grounding in the structure of the language, its historical context and its use in various literary and non-literary genres, as well as an understanding of the role of Arabic as a cultural, religious and political world language. Intended as an introductory guide for students of Arabic, this book aims to act as a catalyst for discussions from historical-linguistic and socio-linguistic perspectives.

        I found it very impressive in its honesty and how in 288 pages it describes all special matters on how Arabic developed, how it incorperated other languages, how the Quran used these, and how later on Arabic developed into Classic Arabic and then to Modern Arabic. It discusses the development of grammar and meanings on many keypoints.

        As we discuss the Arabic language much here, and also speculate much, this book is a must have and I recommend it to everybody how wants to learn more about the Arabic language in an honest and very professional way. I see it as a must-have for Quranic research.

        peace bro

        do you happen to have a pdf version of this?

        thanks.

        O0 ramon O0

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          arnoldyasin
          wrote on last edited by
          #25

          Peace,

          Sadly no.

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            the_seeker
            wrote on last edited by
            #26

            Peace.

            No worries )

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              Fahad1
              wrote on last edited by
              #27

              Four Basic Quranic Terms
              by Syed Abul-Ala Maududi

              Milestones
              by Sayyid Qutb

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                Soraya
                wrote on last edited by
                #28

                Defenders of The Reasons in Islam is a really good book..
                About Mutazilism
                However that was how traditionalists chose to go seperate ways..The distortion was due to the following questions that arose

                1. questions such as whether Al Quran was created or is it eternal?
                2. Whether people have free will or predestination(the concept of Qadr)
                  Qadariya was a word that the traditionalists used..

                Also Kitab-al-usul al khamsa which is very interesting..Mashah Allah

                Infact I believe that the Mutazilites were on a right track..But unfortunately they focused too much on their research and neglected the ordinary people..this was how the traditionalists used the ordinary people to gain power..

                Correct me if am mistaken

                Fee Amanillah

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                  the_seeker
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #29

                  http//books.iuniverse.com/booksfolder/0595479405/0595479405.gif

                  Exploring Islam in a New Light An Understanding from the Quranic Perspective
                  By Abdur Rab

                  http//www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-47940-5

                  Emphasizing the Quran?s messages of peace, tolerance, and compassion, this book intentionally avoids Hadith-based ideas to significantly contribute to the ?Quran only? movement in Islam.

                  Book Description
                  This Islam is spiritual, humane, and scientific, far from its fanatic and militant image it carries in the West. It shows how man can evolve spiritually to lead an enriched, progressive, and blissful life. It advocates tolerance and peaceful co-existence and disapproves of gender or human discrimination and harsh punishments. Abdur Rab argues that, regrettably, the Hadith undermines and misrepresents Islam. Numerous Hadith texts contradict the Quran, reason, and science and send conflicting, confusing messages. The criteria used to authenticate the Hadith are flawed and simply inadequate.

                  This book is an impassioned call to understand Islam solely in Quranic terms and to reform practiced Islam, distorted by Hadith-based ideas.


                  I just received the book and skipped through it. The first thing I noticed was the foreword by Prof. Riffat Hassan, the well known feminist Muslim scholar and student of GA.Parwez. Next to this the very good reviews by convert Prof. Jeffrey Lang (author of "Loosing my Religion" & "When angels ask", prof. in Islam) and prof. Reza Aslan (author " No God but God&quot and others.

                  All of them praised its' Qur'anic approach and also agreed on the need to return to the Qur'an. This coming from 2 well-known Islamic professors shows that the Qur'anic stance is gaining ground everywhere.

                  The topics are laid out very good and his approach is very professional. Next to laying out some well-known issues, he also brings in some fresh ideas. Good use of footnotes and quoting of Qur'anic verses makes this a very good work and important for us to have.

                  A must have for progressive Muslims!

                  peace brother

                  can i go work with you so i can have access to all these books?

                  God bless. ramon

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                    arnoldyasin
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #30

                    ?

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                      arnoldyasin
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #31

                      Fakhr al-Dn al Rz?s methodology in interpreting the Qurn by Shalahudin Kafrawi.

                      Many studies have been done of Fakhr al-Dinal-Razi and his system of thought, taking into account his contributions from theology, philosophy, and exegesis. However, works specifically devoted to his exegetical thought have been few. In fact, none of these has dealt with al-Razi?s exegetical methodology in the light of his basic assumptions regarding the Qur?an. In view of this fact, the present thesis aims at elucidating Fakhr al-Din al-Razi?s methodology in interpreting the Qur?an in his magnum opus, known by the title al-Tafsir al-Kabir or Mafatih&dotbelow; al-Ghayb. In order to achieve this purpose, we will focus on his interpretation of the third chapter of the Qur?an, printed in volumes 7, 8, and 9 of the standard edition of his work.
                      In overall terms, al-Razi contributed greatly to the dissemination of a rational approach to the study of the Qur?an. Yet, he could not avoid the debate over theological issues, which were common in his time. In many parts of his al-Tafsir al-Kabir, therefore, he defends Ash?arite thought against the views of Mu?tazilites, Zahirites, and the Hashwiyyah, among others.

                      http//digitool.Library.McGill.CA1801/webclient/DeliveryManager?application=DIGITOOL-3&owner=resourcediscovery&custom_att_2=simple_viewer&user=GUEST&pds_handle=&pid=21224&con_lng=ENG&search_terms=000001825&rd_session=http//digitool.Library.McGill.CA8881/R/L943R3ETR1REQ4QMJ67D3QSTH3GJUUB7L556DTIEIBQ4XGVKKI-00398

                      An excellent essay on one of the major rational Qur'an exegesists of the Middle Ages. A very interesting read.

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                        Bahr53
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #32

                        Salaam
                        Here you can download these books, http//www.box.net/shared/5tgzvctcf5

                        • Arab Conspiracies against Islam
                        • Argument against ritual prayer
                        • Construction of Mecca
                        • Hadith a re-evaluation
                        • Hadith research, the myth of hadith
                        • Hadith Debate, and what is Salaat
                        • Mental Bondage (in the name of God)
                        • MY JOURNEY FROM THE CHRISTIANITY OF AHLUL SUNNAH WAL JAMAAH TO THE ISLAM OF THE PROPHET
                        • Natural Republic
                        • No fasting
                        • No hate of Jews in the Quran
                        • Quran, Hadith and Islam
                        • The history of Hadith
                        • The MessengerInfo from the Quran
                        • Turkey reform of Islam
                        • Where did Muhammed live

                        Free English book refuting Hadith for download in PDF format
                        http//www.box.net/shared/5tgzvctcf5

                        Fem gode linker/Five good links

                        http//aididsafar.com/

                        http//merahza.wordpress.com/

                        http//www.free-minds.org/

                        http//iyb.blogspot.com/

                        http//aboutquran.com/

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                          tawhid
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #33

                          " the qoran , morality and critical reason" by Mohammad Shahrour

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                            wildguest1956
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #34

                            http//books.iuniverse.com/booksfolder/0595479405/0595479405.gif

                            Exploring Islam in a New Light An Understanding from the Quranic Perspective
                            By Abdur Rab

                            http//www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-47940-5

                            Emphasizing the Quran?s messages of peace, tolerance, and compassion, this book intentionally avoids Hadith-based ideas to significantly contribute to the ?Quran only? movement in Islam.

                            Book Description
                            This Islam is spiritual, humane, and scientific, far from its fanatic and militant image it carries in the West. It shows how man can evolve spiritually to lead an enriched, progressive, and blissful life. It advocates tolerance and peaceful co-existence and disapproves of gender or human discrimination and harsh punishments. Abdur Rab argues that, regrettably, the Hadith undermines and misrepresents Islam. Numerous Hadith texts contradict the Quran, reason, and science and send conflicting, confusing messages. The criteria used to authenticate the Hadith are flawed and simply inadequate.

                            This book is an impassioned call to understand Islam solely in Quranic terms and to reform practiced Islam, distorted by Hadith-based ideas.


                            I just received the book and skipped through it. The first thing I noticed was the foreword by Prof. Riffat Hassan, the well known feminist Muslim scholar and student of GA.Parwez. Next to this the very good reviews by convert Prof. Jeffrey Lang (author of "Loosing my Religion" & "When angels ask", prof. in Islam) and prof. Reza Aslan (author " No God but God&quot and others.

                            All of them praised its' Qur'anic approach and also agreed on the need to return to the Qur'an. This coming from 2 well-known Islamic professors shows that the Qur'anic stance is gaining ground everywhere.

                            The topics are laid out very good and his approach is very professional. Next to laying out some well-known issues, he also brings in some fresh ideas. Good use of footnotes and quoting of Qur'anic verses makes this a very good work and important for us to have.

                            A must have for progressive Muslims!

                            Hello,
                            is there something to learn from this book ?

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                              W Offline
                              wildguest1956
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #35

                              For french-speaking people who do not master arabic nor english, here is an interesting book for studying the quran

                              Une approche du Coran par la grammaire et le lexique, by Maurice Gloton
                              http//www.laprocure.com/livres/maurice-gloton/une-approche-coran-par-grammaire-le-lexique-2500-versets-traduits-lexique-coranique_9782841611713.html

                              850 pages

                              Samples
                              http//apu.mabul.org/up/apu/2008/05/25/img-175419i4igk.jpg
                              http//apu.mabul.org/up/apu/2008/03/24/img-130857wragt.jpg

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                                No longer a Sunna-rejecter
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #36

                                http//www.masjidtucson.org/images/catalog/QHICover.jpg

                                A milestone for Islamic Reform Hadith, Quran & Islam by Rashad Khalifa. It is an execellent book that exposes Hadith, and calls for the follwoing of the Quran alone. There is a lot of prejudice against Rashad Khalifa, but read it whether or not you think he was a messenger.

                                From Amazon

                                EDITORIAL REVIEWS
                                PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

                                One of the most important books on the topic, this ground-breaking work offers unique insight into the role of the Quran, and Hadith, in modern-day Islam. Hadith, a collection of sayings attributed to the prophet Muhammad, have long been accepted alongside the Quran, as integral to Islamic thought and practices. This book exposes the damage it has done. A must read for all students of Islam.

                                I am no longer a Sunna-rejecter. See 4:59-65, 62:2-4, 3:31, 4:156, 7:157 Messenger teaches and is to be followed and obeyed. Examples of revelation received which is not in the Qur'an: 3:123-126, 33:37, 2:187, 66:3, 62:9.

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                                  Muse
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #37

                                  A book that I would recommend to people who are biased in the subject of Islam and/or the Western world is "Who Speaks for Islam What A Billion Muslims Really Think" by John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed. The entire book is based on a study led by the Gallup Organisation. It is easy to comprehend and will bring you to a startling conclusion Muslims and Westerners are more alike than you think.

                                  http//www.amazon.com/Who-Speaks-Islam-Billion-Muslims/dp/1595620176?SubscriptionId=0TBPMRS0W3G0CB5F0902&tag=afncaie-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1595620176

                                  Another book that I just read and found very valuable is "Revival and Reform in Islam A Study of Islamic Fundamentalism" by Fazlur Rahman. The book gets complicated at times, but really helped me to understand how fundamentalism and the correlation between Islam and politics grew in the Middle-East. The book also shows how completely absurd and contradicting hadiths can be.

                                  http//www.amazon.com/Revival-Reform-Islam-Islamic-Fundamentalism/dp/185168204X

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                                    Rev_John
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #38

                                    A book that I would recommend to people who are biased in the subject of Islam and/or the Western world is "Who Speaks for Islam What A Billion Muslims Really Think" by John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed. The entire book is based on a study led by the Gallup Organisation. It is easy to comprehend and will bring you to a startling conclusion Muslims and Westerners are more alike than you think.

                                    http//www.amazon.com/Who-Speaks-Islam-Billion-Muslims/dp/1595620176?SubscriptionId=0TBPMRS0W3G0CB5F0902&tag=afncaie-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1595620176

                                    Another book that I just read and found very valuable is "Revival and Reform in Islam A Study of Islamic Fundamentalism" by Fazlur Rahman. The book gets complicated at times, but really helped me to understand how fundamentalism and the correlation between Islam and politics grew in the Middle-East. The book also shows how completely absurd and contradicting hadiths can be.

                                    http//www.amazon.com/Revival-Reform-Islam-Islamic-Fundamentalism/dp/185168204X

                                    But what do a billion Muslims think?

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                                      No longer a Sunna-rejecter
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #39

                                      How To Win A Cosmic War by Reza Aslan

                                      http//www.readthespirit.com/.a/6a00e54ef51d76883401156f3307cd970c-200wi

                                      http//ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S4BvJvuqL.SL500_OU02_SS130.jpg

                                      I read a few pages of it - seems like a good read.

                                      I am no longer a Sunna-rejecter. See 4:59-65, 62:2-4, 3:31, 4:156, 7:157 Messenger teaches and is to be followed and obeyed. Examples of revelation received which is not in the Qur'an: 3:123-126, 33:37, 2:187, 66:3, 62:9.

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                                        Wakas
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #40

                                        peace all,

                                        This great work by Toshihiko Izutsu is now available online, "Ethico-Religious Concepts in The Quran" (right click and save as)
                                        http//www.archive.org/download/Toshihiko.Izutsu_Ethico-Religious.Concepts.in.the.Quran/Toshihiko.Izutsu_Ethico-Religious.Concepts.in.the.Quran.pdf

                                        For those unfamiliar with Toshihiko Izutsu's works, use the forum search function. Personally, I consider his analysis to rank amongst the best I have read, and the members here who have also read his works will no doubt agree with me.

                                        All information is correct to the best of my knowledge only and thus should not be taken as a fact. One should always seek knowledge and verify for themselves when possible: 17:36, 20:114, 35:28, 49:6, 58:11.

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                                          arnoldyasin
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #41

                                          http//www.deenresearchcenter.com/Portals/0/shahrour1.jpg

                                          The Qur'an, Morality and Critical Reason The Essential Muhammad Shahrur

                                          Dr.Muhammad Shahrur is one of the most important modern thinkers in Islam. His analytical and systematic research on the Qur'an has showed the many important, and also many times, neglected messages and potentials of the Qur'an. His scientific and universal approach to the Qur'an is groundbreaking and has opened new doors for understanding the Qur'an as a guidance for mankind. This book is the first in English to discuss Shahrur's main ideas and discoveries in detail. It is a complete summary of his 3 books.

                                          To purchase the book, go to

                                          It is expensive, but worth every dollar!

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