"This lucid, scholarly and exciting book could not be more timely; it takes the reader on a spiritual and intellectual journey that is essential for Muslim and non-Muslim alike and addresses some of the most pressing needs of our time." -Karen Armstrong, author of A History of God and Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet "[Sardar] is asking the right questions, and the health of the world community over the next couple of centuries may depend on how well, and how often, others in his faith ask the same questions." - National Review "Sardar is passionate in his approach without being dogmatic. Will appeal to many open-minded readers of other faiths and those generally interested in spirituality." --Booklist "If one could pick just one book to connect the Muslim past with its complex present and future potential, Reading the Qur'an would be that book. To use a metaphor from the eleventh-century exemplar of rational mysticism, Imam Ghazzali, both Muslims and non-Muslims must 'sail into the endless ocean of its meanings,' with Ziauddin Sardar the nimble captain on that voyage of hope and discovery." -Professor Bruce Lawrence, Duke University "Sardar explores the Quran from a variety of perspectives, drawing fresh and contemporary lessons from the Sacred Text." --Islamic Horizons "A helpful book for opening the minds of spiritually engaged readers interested in the place of holy books in today's world." -- Library Journal "Challenging notions of interpretive eternality and textual justification for misogyny, hatred, and an obsession with rules and mindless rituals, Samman utilizes a diverse collection of interpretive methodologies: including traditional exegesis, hermeneutics, critical theory, and cultural analysis."--Middle East Journal

"This lucid, scholarly and exciting book could not be more timely; it takes the reader on a spiritual and intellectual journey that is essential for Muslim and non-Muslim alike and addresses some of the most pressing needs of our time." -Karen Armstrong, author of A History of God and Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet "[Sardar] is asking the right questions, and the health of the world community over the next couple of centuries may depend on how well, and how often, others in his faith ask the same questions." - National Review "Sardar is passionate in his approach without being dogmatic. Will appeal to many open-minded readers of other faiths and those generally interested in spirituality." --Booklist "If one could pick just one book to connect the Muslim past with its complex present and future potential, Reading the Qur'an would be that book. To use a metaphor from the eleventh-century exemplar of rational mysticism, Imam Ghazzali, both Muslims and non-Muslims must 'sail into the endless ocean of its meanings,' with Ziauddin Sardar the nimble captain on that voyage of hope and discovery." -Professor Bruce Lawrence, Duke University "Sardar explores the Quran from a variety of perspectives, drawing fresh and contemporary lessons from the Sacred Text." --Islamic Horizons "A helpful book for opening the minds of spiritually engaged readers interested in the place of holy books in today's world." -- Library Journal "Challenging notions of interpretive eternality and textual justification for misogyny, hatred, and an obsession with rules and mindless rituals, Samman utilizes a diverse collection of interpretive methodologies: including traditional exegesis, hermeneutics, critical theory, and cultural analysis."--Middle East Journal

Ziauddin Sardar, a writer, broadcaster and cultural critic, is visiting professor at City University, London. He has published more than 45 books, and made a number of documentaries for UK's BBC and Channel 4. He recently wrote a year-long blog on the Qur'an for The Guardian. Reading the Qur'an is adapted and expanded from those blogs.