The Qur’an, Surahs 1-2: A Historical and Literary Commentary (Princeton Commentaries on the Qur’an)

A detailed commentary with a new translation that integrates intertextual, theological, literary, and historical perspectivesThis historical and literary commentary on the Qur’an’s first two surahs provides a structural analysis of the two texts, advances a novel theory of Surah 2’s intricate redactional history, contextualizes the Qur’an among writings from the Biblical tradition, and considers a variety of other textual, linguistic, and theological issues.It offers the first comprehensive historical and literary commentary in English on Surah 2, the longest and most complex Qur’anic text.Both surahs have been newly translated by the author. Surahs 1 (Surat al-Fati?ah, “The Opening”) and 2 (Surat al-Baqarah, “The Cow”) discuss such important theological notions as divine testing and divine foreknowledge; offer narratives about Adam, Abraham, Saul, and other figures; include polemics against Jews and Christians; and issue legislative commandments, with an emphasis on those relating to