Description
What distinguishes this edition from others are the annotations accompanying the translation. Each sura is provided with its own introduction and its relative dating in the opinion of scholars (both traditional and non). The annotations are divided according to their boldface topical headings at the bottom of each page. The topical headings are designed to provide readers with guideposts through what can be, at times, a labyrinthine text. The annotations are not intended to be a commentary, but seek to illuminate the text in a way that will give readers a fuller appreciation of it. They offer basic information on historical and linguistic matters, explain keyterminology, and provide cross references to parallel passages elsewhere in the Quran, as well as comparatively in the scriptures of Judaism and Christianity, and sometimes beyond them (even the Roman poet Ovid gets a mention). The annotations draw heavily on a range of critical scholarship, to which the “Guide to Further Reading” records my debt. Again, utility has been the watchword. Recognizing that no one reads the Quran from beginning to end, this edition has been designed to facilitate ready reference. Most of the annotations are cross-referenced, and important ones repeated, so that readers may jump into the text at almost any point and still find their way around. Finally, a general introduction, comprehensive index, and other features further enhance the volume¿s utility (see the following table of Contents).
| Period | 1 Nov 2011 → 30 Mar 2012 |
|---|---|
| Type of journal | Journal |