Includes bibliographical references and indexes

1. Risks, perspectives, and understandings -- 2. Basic narratives for Judaism and Christianity -- 3. Islam's basic narrative and core positions -- 4. The setting : reflections on Arabia -- 5. Times and the messenger -- 6. The origin, transmission, and structures of the Qur'an -- 7. Interpreting the Qur'an -- 8. Four cherished passages - - 9. The Qur'an on the end of this world and life in the hereafter -- 10. The Qur'an on woman and women -- 11. The Qur'an on biblical figures, Jews and Christians -- 12. The Qur'an on justice and jihad -- 13. Challenges from the Qur'an -- 14. Challenges to the Qur'an -- 15. The Qur'an opened and open -- Appendix A. Traditional names and orders of surahs -- Appendix B. Biblical figures mentioned in the Qur'an -- Appendix C. Glossary of key terms.

"Walter H. Wagner "opens" the Qur'an by offering a comprehensive and extraordinarily readable, step-by-step introduction to the text, making it accessible to students, teachers, clergy, and general readers interested in Islam and Islam's holy Book." "Wagner first places the prophet Muhammad, the Qur'an, and the early Muslim community in their historical, geographical, and theological contexts. This background is a basis for interpreting the Qur'an and understanding its role in later Muslim developments, as well as for relationships between Muslims, Jews, and Christians. He then looks in detail at specific passages, moving from cherished devotional texts to increasingly difficult and provocative subjects. The selected bibliography serves as a resource for further reading and study. Woven into the discussion are references to Islamic beliefs and practices. Wagner shows great sensitivity toward the challenges to non-Muslims who attempt to interpret the Qur'an, and sympathy for the long struggle to build bridges of mutual trust and honest appreciation between Muslims and non-Muslims."--BOOK JACKET.