The Qur'an a biography

Synopsis

"In this book, distinguished historian of religion Bruce Lawrence shows precisely how the Qur'an is Islam. He describes the origins of the faith in seventh-century Arabia and explains why the Qur'an is both memorized and recited by devout Muslims. Lawrence also discusses the Qur'an's commentators and doubters and assesses its tremendous influence on today's societies and politics. Above all, Lawrence emphasizes that the Qur'an is a sacred book of signs that cannot be reduced to a single, obvious message. It is a book that demands interpretation and one that can be properly understood only through its history."--BOOK JACKET.