Religious Studies 302I

February 25, 2003

Recent events have spurred interest in the religion of Islam. Islam is one of the least understood mainstream faiths. There are many factors that cause this, but among them is the Islamic conviction that the only proper way to read, hear, recite, or understand the Qur’án is in the original Arabic. This has made it difficult for those who do not understand the Arabic language to become familiar with Islam.

Michael Sells, in Approaching the Qur’án, attempts to help the Westerner in this respect. He has interpreted the earlier Suras (chapters of the Qur’án much like chapters in Psalms) in such a way as to "bring across some sense of that particular combination of majesty and intimacy that makes the Qur’ánic voice distinctive" and give an appreciation for it as a literary work. He also gives the reader some notion of the historical and cultural context of the Suras that a Muslim would bring to a reading of the Qur’án. Sells also offers some interpretation of meaning, explanation of beliefs, and some differing views of Islamic scholars and theologians concerning certain passages.

While translating and explaining the Qur’án, Sells does not lapse into apologetics or criticism. Rather, he maintains a relatively balanced view, though definitely one favorable towards Islam. By choosing only the early Meccan Suras, Sells avoids many of the "stickier" passages of the Qur’án that condemn Jews and Christians and explain the role of women (Sura 4-5). This may be a disappointment to the reader who is looking for clarification or explanation of these subjects.

In light of the recent terrorist attacks, Sells’ book is an especially appropriate reading selection for college students. The media in the forms of articles, news coverage, and talk shows, tends to be extremely biased, for or against Islam. It is the duty of the educational system to inform students so that they can hold educated opinions. Students need to understand that they do not need and should not accept the worldview presented by the media at face value. By assigning Approaching the Qur’án, the college encourages students to do independent research on controversial issues, rather than accepting the conclusions fed to them or the arguments that are presented effectively. (A well-presented argument does not imply a stronger, more valid argument in all cases.)

Regardless of the political climate in the United States, Sells’ text might still be a reasonable choice for mandatory reading. One of the other missions of the educational system is to mold well-rounded adult individuals. Two components of being such an individual are an understanding of one’s own identity and an appreciation or understanding of others and their views. Hence, it is valuable to the student’s growth as a person to learn about the religions of the world. For the Muslim student, it can be enlightening to hear a new "take" on their belief system. When one reads more about one’s own religion, growth can occur because beliefs are refined and cemented or because points of discrepancy are discovered, struggled with, and resolved.

For the non-Muslim, Sells’ book is a very good introduction to the Muslim way of thought and experience. Because of the complexities of the Arab language, it might not actually be helpful to simply read a translation of the Qur’án. First, the Qur’án is not organized as a Western reader would expect. The Qur’án begins with the long, legalistic, and most troublesome Suras, which a first-time reader would find daunting and confusing. Second, any translation of the Qur’án into English would lack the rhythm, sound patterns, and gender balance of the Arabic Qur’án. Muslims claim that these attributes of the Qur’án are a large part of what gives the Qur’án its beauty and majesty. Sells makes a sincere effort to communicate these aspects of the Qur’án in his explanations of each Sura. With Sells’ guidance, some of what is lost in the translation can be regained.

Unfortunately, Sells does not provide a detailed history of Islam. When studying any religion, it is helpful to know its history. Besides the light that history can shed on the religious texts, and vice versa, religions are often criticized because of their history rather than because of their beliefs, so it would be good for readers to see an accurate account of Islamic history. With this additional knowledge, students will be able to sift out wild accusations of passionate anti-Muslims.

If any extensive discussion or research of Islam is to take place, it might be wise to select a number of supplemental readings that would include fatwas and hadiths, as well as historical background. This would help broaden students’ knowledge to include Muslim interpretations and applications of the Qur’án.

As for myself, Sells’ book was definitely a good use of my time. While I do not feel moved to become Muslim, or adopt any of Islam’s customs, I can now appreciate some of the ways the Qur’án expresses certain beliefs that are common to Islam and my own faith. I can see to some degree the appeal Islam might have to some people. Also, claims that Islam is a peaceful religion do not seems as absurd as they did before. It is conceivable that a Muslim who adhered more to the tone of the earlier Suras would be, in fact, a peaceable, compassionate, and generous individual.

I would be very interested in a book by Sells dealing with the later Suras. Sells seems to be ambivalent towards Islam, while not advocating it, so he might be able to shed some light on the more difficult Suras that accuse Jews and Christians of rejecting Allah, or passages dealing with women’s issues such as in Sura 4, "the good women are therefore obedient… and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them" (The Holy Koran, Sura 4).

Overall, Sells’ book is a very reasonable selection for a college required reading list. However, for someone interested in a complete understanding of Islam, Sells leaves something to be desired in the realm of history and completeness. Admittedly, Sells does not attempt nor claim to present a full account of the Qur’án. He does execute his stated purpose very well, that is, to enlighten the Western reader regarding the beauty and meaning of the Qur’án in the Islamic tradition.

Sells, Michael. Approaching the Qur’án. White Cloud Press: Ashland, Oregon. 1999.