The Koran is a book apart, not only as Holy Scripture
for Muslims, but as the supreme classic of Arabic
literature. In its 114 Suras, or chapters, it comprises
the total of revelations believed to have been
communicated to the prophet Muhammad as a final
expression of God's will and purpose for man. The
revelations were received over a number of years, the
first dating from AD 610, the last shortly before
Muhammad's death in AD 632, and the definitive canon was
established some twenty years later. The Koran is
neither prose nor poetry but a unique fusion of both. In
his attempt to convey the sublime rhetoric of the
original, Professor Arberry has carefully studied the
intricate and richly varied rhythms which - apart from
the message itself - serve to explain the Koran's
undeniable claim to rank among the greatest literary
masterpieces of mankind. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100
years Oxford World's Classics has made available the
widest range of literature from around the globe.Each
affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to
scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a
wealth of other valuable features, including expert
introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to
clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further
study, and much more. |
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