My new Qur'an

No, that doesn't mean I'm writing one. But a few months ago, before I started blogging, I think while I was still on Muziq Pakistan -- which was the Pakistani Forum I have mentioned so often, no reason why you shouldn't check my posts there if you are curious -- I saw a reference to a place which was sending out free Qur'ans. I requested one, and they wrote back that they had run out for the time being. And to be honest, I forgot all about it.

It turns out that the group was connected with CAIR (Committee on American-Islamic Relations) and they finally restocked. And while I had been expecting maybe a fairly good-looking paperback, instead WOW! This is a beautiful example of the bookmaker's art. Hardcover, over 1000 pages, every page having the verses, the Arabic, the transliteration, and notes. I can barely lift the thing, and would ejoy having it even if I never opened it. (It is a shame that Islam has the prohibition on images, because the only thing that is missing is a suitable picture for each Surah.)

The translation is a new one for me, by Muhammad Asad, who also, i believe, provided the notes. Because of these notes, while I'll be concentrating on getting on with my analysis, I'll also try and go back and comment on the sections I've already discussed, taking the notes into consideration. (I find them, the few I've glanced at -- I just got the book yesterday and it has been a busy time -- somewhat tendentious, but they do give a different point of view and give a better explanation of some of the Arabic.)

I also welcome the addition to this discussion of Faisal and Ingrid, who have said they will try and keep up with me. Faisal has already covered a couple of surahs, and I'm sorry I haven't responded to him yet, though the new book will also be of help i this.

I will not, btw, be relying strictly on this translation, but will still be comparing the Pickthal, the Palmer and the Shakir.

Enough talking about what i am 'going' to be doing, I should start actually doing it.