An introduction to the Qur'an (Koran), a text that has guided the lives of millions.

List of figures; Notes on contributors; Introduction Jane Dammen McAuliffe; Part I. Formation of the Qur'¿nic Text: 1. The historical context Fred M. Donner; 2. Creation of a fixed text Claude Gilliot; 3. Alternative accounts of the Qur'¿n's formation Harald Motzki; Part II. Description and Analysis: 4. Themes and topics Daniel A. Madigan; 5. Structural, linguistic and literary features Angelika Neuwirth; 6. Recitation and aesthetic reception William A. Graham and Navid Kermani; Part III. Transmission and Dissemination: 7. From palm leaves to the Internet Fred Leemhuis; 8. Inscriptions in art and architecture Sheila Blair and Jonathan Bloom; Part IV. Interpretations and Intellectual Traditions: 9. The tasks and traditions of interpretation Jane Dammen Mcauliffe; 10. Multiple areas of influence Alexander Knysh; 11. Western scholarship and the Qur'¿n Andrew Rippin; Part V. Contemporary Readings: 12. Women's readings of the Qur'¿n Asma Barlas; 13. Political interpretation of the Qur'¿n Stefan Wild; 14. The Qur'¿n and other religions Abdulaziz Sachedina; Qur'¿n citation index; General index.