A Ray of the Qur’an: Selected Essays of Sayyed Mahmoud Taleghani Volume II

<P> This work attempts to show that the Qur'an is a manual granted by a just and loving Creator to humanity so that it would recognize its primordially divine-oriented nature and the moral implications thereof. Taleghani holds that a proper understanding of that primordial nature could reawaken humankind's capacity for responsible thinking and action, leading people to become critical of bad forms of capitalism, biased thinking against their fellow human beings and the environment, and corrupt politics. Calling for an Islamic ethics of care, Taleghani weaves through selected <EM>surahs</EM> in the Qur'an to warn people against turning their back on the divine, demonstrating with penetrating hermeneutical insights that the divine wisdom in the Qur'an guides humankind toward a just, fair, and morally balanced world. </P><P>Taleghani's method in <EM>A Ray of the Qur'a</EM><EM>n</EM> mirrors his belief that this work should not be described as an interpretation, an explanation, or an explication of the Qur'an but, rather, as an effort to allow glimpses of divine guidance to shine on some minds and hearts. His vast grasp of scientific, philosophical, theological, ethical, and historical insights give his hermeneutical outlook a tone not easily found in similar works on the Qur'an. The work contains valuable insights not only to students and scholars of Islam and the Qur'an but also to those engaged in comparative religious studies, theology, ethics, and the study of Arabic.</P><P>“And We have certainly presented for the people in this Qur’ān from every [kind of] example that they might remember.” —The Qur’ān, Az-Zumar/39:27</P><P>“Whatever is written about the āyāt, and from the point of view of guidance by the Holy Qur’ān,…should not be counted as the final intent of the Holy Qur’an. Thus, I found the title and name ‘A Ray of the Qur’ān’ suitable for it.” —Sayyed Mahmoud Taleghani</P><P>“Taleghani chose his addressees among university students from various areas of studies of science instead of seminary students. Speaking with the language of the time—the language of the new sciences and new ways of learning— he tried to bring the Qur’ān to the scene of action and living, making it the guide to both the individual and societal lives of people.” —Abdolali Bazargan</P><P>“This is a very original and important book, and a welcome addition to the contemporary scholarship in the field of Islamic Studies in general and Qur’ānic Studies in particular… by one of the most eminent religious scholars…who was also a relentless… advocate for justice and…freedom.” —Mohammad H. Faghfoory</P><P>It is not possible to overstate the importance of this translation of the invaluable, awe-inspiring and cogent contribution to understanding the causes of and solutions to the problems of human societies.” —Abbas Mirakhor</P>