The Qur'an and the Bible: Text and Commentary

My copy just arrived. The sheer weight of it may frighten you off (it's 1000 pages!) but it shouldn't. It's academic, but not dry, and in my view, comprehensible by a non-specialist (such as myself!). I'm only a few chapters in, but thus far, the book makes the claim that the Quran evolved in the monotheistic milieu of the Levant (I'm simplifying). In some sense (especially with the discussion of the Syriac Christian writings which parallel some of the Quran) this feels like a nod in the direction of Luxenberg, but unlike him, the approach is much less a strictly reductionist etymological approach, and is more holistic.I've only begun reading the book (only 2 chapters in), I plan to update this review when I finish it.UPDATE: I'm about 1/3 of the way through. One thing I think could be better would be cutting out large portions of the Quran translation (the entire Quran, translated into English, is present in this work and accounts for the bulk of the text). A higher proportion of commentary would be better, but still, learning a lot and still very readable.UPDATE #2: I think the title of the book is something of a misnomer, since the Bible per se is not the only (or even principle) influence evident in the Quran, but rather, the Syrian Christian church is dominant. Overall, my sense is that this book lends further credence to the Luxenberg view that the Quran is 'really' a Syrian Christian lectionary (or similar, but used for Syrian Christian church services). I will continue reading, but there is an immense amount of repetition (in the Quran); if i read yet one more chapter about Abraham, Adam, Noah, etc. my head may just may explode.

Great commentary from Dr. Reynolds. I thoroughly enjoy his insights. He is careful with the Qur'anic text, and displays his vast research in Qur'anic theology/history. His consideration of biblical influence on the Qur'an is careful and respectful. As I read, I don't feel that Dr. Reynolds is undermining Islamic thought. I highly recommend this book. I'm so impressed I'm actually placing Notre Dame at the top of my list for graduate school applications, something I hadn't previously considered.

Thorough and well presented Quran translation. The pages feel great and the translation is in completely understandable English. The commentary is very useful in its specified focus and pairs well with supplemental commentaries in a reading session.

This is a huge undertaking and will require some time to wade through, but combined with Safi Kaskas’s translation of the Qur’an with Bible cross-references any advocate of enhanced interfaith relationships will do well to buy and use both!

This work is perhaps the first modern critical Quran to be published. The scope of the work is extensive and impressive. This work shows that in every single sura there is an allusion or reference to the Bible, which proves that the Quran understands its Bible and knows it thoroughly. In his introduction Reynolds says sometimes the Quran confuses Bible stories because "the Quran seems to know the Bible as it was read and transmitted orally by Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity, with the diversity of interpretations that had developed by that time which informed their reading of the scripture". This view does not run parallel to what follows Reynolds' introduction. True that in Sura after Sura and in aya after aya the Bible is referred with the term idhkuroo meaning "remember this" and "remember that" mentioned in the Bible. This suggests the Quran knew its Bible orally; but in many other instance the Quran says "if thou art in doubt regarding what We have sent down to thee, ask those who recite the Book before thee. The truth has come to thee from thy Lord; so be not of the doubters (10:94)". This suggest a through cross reference with the WRITTEN scripture. Perhaps am proving the Quran from the Quran, put my point is that the Quran is not confused about the Biblical stories because it only heard it orally but that where there is so called "confusion" it was deliberate.The book will not be easy reading for those from a Quranic background lacking any Biblical scriptural experience. Before Muslims start reading the Book they must understand what is meant by the "Old Testament/taurat" and "New Testament/Injeel" because these terms are not synonyms.I wish Mr Reynolds all the best in his endeavoursNazim Sattar

Very well researched. The book gives insight into where the Qur'an obtained many of it's ideas from previous sources; particularly Syriac.

would buy again and again

wonderful!