The Critical Qur'an: Explained from Key Islamic Commentaries and Contemporary Historical Research

A unique resource for understanding the Islamic Holy Book. As Islamic terrorism becomes a distressingly common feature of life in North America and Europe it has become increasingly important for non-Muslims to be aware of the ideology that animates and motivates jihad violence and Sharia oppression of women and othersan ideology thats rooted in Islams holy book the Quran. English-speaking people however have found attempts to understand the Quran and Islam impeded by unclear densely worded translations and explanatory notes written by Islamic apologists attempting to conceal rather than reveal how Islamic jihadis use the texts and teachings of the Quran to justify violence and supremacism and to make recruits of peaceful Muslims. The Critical Quran in contrast makes clear the passages that are used to incite violence. Historian and Islamic scholar Robert Spencer elucidates the Quranic text with extensive references to the principal tafsir or commentaries that mainstream Muslims use today to understand the Quran showing how interpretations that sanction violence are unfortunately not outliers but central in Islamic theology. The Critical Quran is the Islamic counterpart to numerous critical and skeptical editions of the Bible that have appeared over the last century and more. It is the one edition of Islams book that doesnt shy away from elucidating why the holy book of Islam is so frequently quoted and referred to with reverence by people who commit and/or justify acts of violence. It is a basic resource for everyone who wishes to understand the persistent phenomenon of Islamic terrorism and the peculiar provenance of this most provocative book.