The Bible and the Qur'an: Biblical Figures in the Islamic Tradition

Description

The Bible and the Qur'an provides an overview of all the figures and groups who are mentioned in both the Bible and the Qur'an. Principal focus centres on the similarities and differences between the presentations of these characters in the two texts, with special emphasis placed on how they appear in the Islamic text. References are also included to how many of the individuals/groups discussed are treated in other Islamic sources. Each figure or group includes: (1) a list of relevant Qur'an passages; (2) a description of how the individual/group is presented in the Islamic Texts; (3) questions and issues to consider; (4) suggestions for further readings. An introductory section provides a basic orientation to the Qur'an and other Islamic sources.

John Kaltner is the Virginia Ballou McGehee Professor of Muslim-Christian Relations at Rhodes College, USA. Younus Y. Mirza is Assistant Professor of Islam at Allegheny College, USA.

A very useful book that provides an overview of the way in which many figures found in the Jewish and Christian Bibles are portrayed in the Qur'an and (where applicable) also in later Islamic sources known as "The Stories of the Prophets". * Anvil Journal * For a non-initiated reader, the presentation of biblical figures in the Quran is not easy to comprehend. With this book Kaltner and Mirza provide a readable and interesting guide to understand the treatment of the most important biblical characters in the Qur'an and the Islamic 'Stories of the Prophets', analyzing their functions in these texts and drawing comparisons with the biblical narratives. A must read for anyone interested in the Qur'an and its reception of Jewish and Christian traditions. * Thomas Roemer, College de France and University of Lausanne, Switzerland * This book provides a handy guide for the difficult task of understanding the accounts of prophetic and sacred figures common to the Bible and the Qur'an. In addition to helpfully collating the Qur'anic accounts of individual figures found in various parts of the text, the book also includes narrative details from classical and modern Muslim accounts of the prophets. The book's thoughtful study questions will be valuable for students and teachers alike. * Maria M. Dakake, George Mason University, USA * This excellent and useful glimpse into the relationship between the Bible and the Qur'an demonstrates the different characteristics of shared characters between the two scriptures. The helpful background on both the Qur'an and the Stories of the Prophets genre makes the texts accessible for students of Islam as well as an interested general readership, and the suggestions for further readings invite those at the gate of this fascinating world to take further steps inside. * Zohar Hadromi-Allouche, University of Aberdeen, UK * In The Bible and the Qur'an, authors John Kaltner and Younus Y. Mirza offer a concise reference that is a wonderful resource for students to understand the similarities and differences between characters in each text, and a general description of the differences between the Bible and the Qur'an. * Reading Religion *