Between Bible and Qur'an: The Children of Israel and the Islamic Self-Image

The Bible's literary role in Islamic sources is explored in this book, which examines the tension between Biblical and Qur'anic models as revealed in Islamic texts describing contacts between Muslims and the Children of Israel. It adopts the method of the author's earlier work on the image of the Prophet Muhammad and reflects different historical attitudes toward the Jews and the relationship between Jews and Muslims.

Format: Hardback
Length: 332 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Gerlach Press

The Bible's Literary Role in Islamic Sources: A Study of Tension between Biblical and Qur'anic Models
The Bible's Literary Role in Islamic Sources: A Study of Tension between Biblical and Qur'anic Models

This book delves into the literary significance of the Bible in Islamic sources, exploring the interplay between Biblical and Qur'anic models as depicted in Islamic texts that recount interactions between Muslims and the Children of Israel, also known as Jews and Christians in the broader context of world history. Drawing upon his previous work on the image of the Prophet Muhammad, The Eye of the Beholder: The Life of Muhammad as Viewed by the Early Muslims, Rubin employs a method of analysis that examines hadith reports from the first three Islamic centuries that incorporate both Qur'anic and biblical material. The book's three parts reflect distinct historical perspectives on the Jews and the definition of the relationship between Jews and Muslims.

This book holds significant value for students of Qur'anic interpretation, early Islamic tradition, dogma, and history, as well as those with an interest in comparative religion and intercultural relations between Muslims and non-Muslims. By exploring the literary role of the Bible in Islamic sources, the book contributes to a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural influences that shaped the development of Islamic thought and practice.

The book's analysis of hadith reports from the first three Islamic centuries reveals a complex interplay between Biblical and Qur'anic models. Rubin highlights how these reports often draw on both religious traditions to provide insights into the lives of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslim community. However, he also notes the tensions that arise from the different interpretations of these sources, particularly in regards to the relationship between Jews and Muslims.

One of the key themes of the book is the tension between the Biblical and Qur'anic models of the Jews. The Bible portrays the Jews as a chosen people with a special covenant with God, while the Qur'an presents them as a rebellious and disobedient group who have rejected God's message. This tension is reflected in the hadith reports, which often depict the Jews as a source of conflict and hostility towards the Muslims.

However, the book also shows how the Muslims attempted to reconcile these two models. They sought to understand the Jews' beliefs and practices and to establish peaceful relations with them. This led to the development of a unique Islamic theology that incorporates elements from both the Bible and the Qur'an.

Another important aspect of the book is the definition of the relationship between Jews and Muslims. The Qur'an emphasizes the importance of the Jews as a people of the book, who have been given the Torah and the Gospel. However, the book also shows how the Muslims viewed the Jews as a threat to their own faith and identity. This tension is reflected in the hadith reports, which often depict the Jews as a source of temptation and corruption.

To address these tensions, the Muslims developed a range of strategies. They sought to convert the Jews to Islam, but they also recognized the importance of maintaining peaceful relations with them. This led to the development of a unique Islamic legal system that incorporates elements from both the Bible and the Qur'an.

The book also highlights the role of the Bible in shaping the Islamic worldview. The Bible's teachings on morality, justice, and the afterlife have had a profound impact on Islamic thought and practice. The book shows how the Muslims used the Bible to justify their actions and to promote their beliefs.

However, the book also notes the challenges that the Bible posed to the Muslims. Some Muslims believed that the Bible contained errors and contradictions, and they sought to reinterpret it in order to align it with their own beliefs. This led to the development of a range of Islamic sects and movements that rejected the Bible as a source of authority.

In conclusion, the Bible's Literary Role in Islamic Sources: A Study of Tension between Biblical and Qur'anic Models is a valuable book that explores the literary significance of the Bible in Islamic sources. It highlights the tension between Biblical and Qur'anic models as depicted in Islamic texts that recount interactions between Muslims and the Children of Israel. By examining the historical and cultural influences that shaped the development of Islamic thought and practice, the book contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between Jews and Muslims.

Dimension: 248 x 165 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783959941143
Edition number: 2 ed