During the ninth month of the Muslim (Hijri) calendar, Muslims around the world often observe a daily fast: refraining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. In addition to these physical actions, many Muslims take this time to introspect on their faith and form a deeper connection to their practices.
While such rituals are integral to the practice of faith and are meant to lead to piety, they are not the sum total of it; forms of rituals are intended to lead to their purpose or inner meaning (产补峁璱苍), if you will.
Dr Shiraz Kabani听shares his experience of Ramadan in Turkiye in his book听Ismaili Festivals: Stories of Celebration.
Muslims believe that the听蚕耻谤鈥檃苍听was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. It鈥檚 for this reason that many Muslims take this month to re-immerse themselves in the text of the听蚕耻谤鈥檃苍Muslims believe that the Holy 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍 contains divine revelations to the Prophet Muhammed received in Mecca and Medina over a period of 23 years in the early 7th century CE. More, believed by many to be the unadulterated word of God. Over time, this has developed into a rich diversity of interpretive traditions (tafsir). Our听Qur示anic Studies Series听aims to make Qur示anic commentaries available to a wider readership through English translation.
Women, Households听补苍d听the Hereafter in the 蚕耻谤鈥檃苍听offers a fresh perspective of the Qur示an鈥檚 impact on social and religious practices in seventh century Arabia. The authors highlight the Qur示an鈥檚 egalitarian approach to moral agency in existing hierarchical structures.听Watch discussion with authors Dr Karen Bauer and Professor Feras Hamza.
An Anthology of Qur示anic Commentaries, Vol. 2听comprises analyses of the female subject in the听蚕耻谤鈥檃苍, annotated translations of Qur示anic commentaries, interviews with contemporary Muslim scholars, and more, which render these complex materials accessible to the reader.听Watch interview with amina wadud.
The Sanaa Palimpsest听provides an in-depth analysis of one of the oldest Qur示anic manuscripts yet discovered. The palimpsest contains two superimposed layers of Qur示anic text dating a hundred years apart, providing new insights into the transmission of the Qur示an over time.听Watch video introduction to the Sanaa Palimsest.
