Reading the Qur'an

Aimed at readers of the Qur’an in English, this book explains the rhetorical devices, structural features and stylistic choices that are so vital to understanding the Qur’anic message.

The Qur’an is a multifaceted text that can be challenging, especially for non-Arabic speakers relying solely on English translations.

This book unlocks the rhetorical devices, structural features and stylistic choices that the Qur’an employs and which are so vital to its meaning. While some of these subjects form an important part of the Arabic Qur’anic Studies curriculum - and are prioritised in schools and universities in the Arab world - they continue to puzzle some readers of the Qur’an in English translation.

This is the eagerly-awaited final instalment of Professor Abdel Haleem’s IB Tauris trilogy on the Qur'an. It is unique in combining linguistic analysis, literary appreciation and relevance to contemporary issues: an essential companion for students and general readers studying the Qur’an, whether in English or in Arabic


The book is divided into three parts:

· Part One “The Importance of Context” explains why context (siyaq) is vital when quoting from and interpreting the text.
· Part Two “The Structure of the Sura: Seeing the Unity” uses case studies to demonstrate how the structures of the suras in the Qur'an are central to their meaning.
· Part Three “Rhetorical and Stylistic Features” highlights the contribution of such features to the persuasive impact of the Qur’anic text.