Quranic Stories: A Contemporary Reading

Author's name: Dr. Muhammad Shahrour

"Qur'anic Stories" is a new and scientific analysis of the stories of the prophets. The author begins the first volume with a basic introduction that presents a philosophy of history through reading the Qur'anic stories using a scientific methodology that employs emerging knowledge in the fields of anthropology and archaeology. He arrives at conclusions that negate the contradiction between the Qur'an and science, moving the stories from the framework of historical narrative to human and cognitive horizons.

The author deconstructs the traditional mentality that has dealt with stories, criticizing its reliance on Babylonian and biblical myths and its neglect of the principle of research and travel on earth as a primary starting point for understanding history.

The first volume also includes the story of Adam as a practical example of the methodology he proposes, in order to understand it in a scientific and philosophical manner.

"Qur'anic Stories" consists of six volumes, which will be published successively: "Volume Two: Revelation and the Establishment of Society", "Volume Three: Abrahamic Monotheism and the Human Home", "Volume Four: The Children of Israel", "Volume Five: Jesus, Son of Mary", and "Volume Six: Muhammadan Stories".

Dr. Muhammad Shahrour (1938–2019) was a Syrian researcher and thinker. He is a key authority on Quranic sciences, having pioneered a new, scientific approach to understanding them. His publications from Dar Al Saqi include: "The Book and the Quran," "Religion and Authority," "Drying Up the Sources of Terrorism," "A Guide to Contemporary Reading of the Wise Revelation," and "Islam and Humanity" (Sheikh Zayed Award 2017).