The Message of the Qur'an

The Message of the Qur'an

Few modern English translations of the Qur’an have generated as much scholarly discussion as Muhammad Asad's interpretation. Combining translation with explanatory commentary, his work seeks to communicate the Qur’an's meanings to contemporary readers while exploring its language, historical setting, and intellectual significance.

About the Book

The Message of the Qur'an is an English translation and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an by Muhammad Asad, originally published in 1980. The edition catalogued by the library was published by Islamic Book Foundation in 2007.

Asad's work is distinguished by its extensive explanatory notes and its effort to present the Qur’an as a coherent source of religious, ethical, and intellectual guidance.

Rather than offering a strictly word-for-word rendering, Asad frequently considers the broader meanings of Arabic expressions and their relationships with surrounding passages.

His commentary draws upon Arabic linguistic scholarship and classical Qur’anic interpretation while also addressing questions relevant to modern readers.

Particular attention is given to expressions whose meanings depend upon historical usage, rhetorical context, or theological interpretation.

The work also explores Qur’anic narratives concerning earlier prophets, the relationship between belief and reason, and the moral responsibilities of human beings.

Asad's interpretive choices have attracted both appreciation and criticism, especially where his explanations differ from more literal or traditional understandings.

These differences make the book valuable not only as a translation but also as a subject of comparative study.

Readers can examine how a twentieth-century Muslim intellectual approached revelation and attempted to communicate its message across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

The translation remains an important contribution to the history of English-language Qur’anic interpretation.

What You Will Discover

• Muhammad Asad's approach to translating Qur’anic Arabic.
• The relationship between translation and explanatory interpretation.
• Linguistic and contextual explanations of Qur’anic expressions.
• The treatment of prophetic narratives and religious teachings.
• Interpretive questions concerning reason, faith, and morality.
• The significance of this work in modern Qur’anic translation studies.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is suitable for English-speaking Qur’an readers, researchers, translators, educators, and students of Islamic thought. It is especially valuable for those interested in comparing English translations and examining how linguistic and theological decisions influence interpretation.