The Emergence of Islam: Classical Traditions in Contemporary Perspective

Gabriel Said Reynolds tells the story of Islam in this brief illustrated survey beginning with Muhammads early life and rise to power then tracing the origins and development of the Quran juxtaposed with biblical literature and concluding with an overview of modern and fundamentalist narratives of the origin of Islam. Reynolds offers a fascinating look at the structure and meaning of the Quran revealing the ways in which biblical language is used to advance the Qurans religious meaning. Reynolds analysis identifies the motives that shaped each narrativeIslamic Jewish and Christian. The books conclusion yields a rich understanding of diverse interpretations of Islams emergence suggesting that its emergence is itself ever-developing.