Carl W. Ernst
How to Read the Qur’an: A New Guide with Select Translations by Carl W. Ernst is a nontheological literary and textual analysis of a select number of suras in the Qur’an. Professor Ernst, a professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, argues that the Qur’an, like many other influential books, is part of a global heritage. As such, approaching it on its own terms and within its own context becomes a relevant exercise regardless of one’s religious persuasion. His nontheological reading is not intended to challenge the divine status of the Qur’an as accepted by Muslims. Rather, Professor Ernst insists theological considerations are outside the scope of his work.
The work consists of a textual and structural analysis of select suras in terms of the symmetry and balance of verses within a sura, the tripartite structure of various suras, and the presence of ring composition as a symmetrical literary form whose presence is ubiquitous in previous early literature. Professor Ernst claims that a chronological reading of the Qur’an, beginning with the early Meccan, later Meccan, and Medinan suras provides a clearer understanding of the Qur’an since it approximates the sequence of its presentation to its initial audience:
As a result, it becomes possible to grasp the development of the Qur’an over time, the literary structure and organization of the sura as a literary unit, and the intertextual approach of the Qur’an in its engagement with biblical and other early sources, with cautious use of external historical sources to provide a context for the explanation of particular sections of the Qur’an.
This literary historical approach to the Qur’an is engaging, informative, and provides valuable insight into increasing our understanding a text revered by more than one billion people.
Highly recommended for readers with an interest in monotheistic traditions.