Annotated Bibliography

Essay question:
2. The Quran is a holy book that provides general guidelines. When it
comes to specifics of human existence, the Quran is wide open to
interpretation. To what extent do you think this is the case? Illustrate your
discussion with specific examples.

Abstract:
The following paper aims to examine, with selective examples, the general
and specific verses in the Quran that pertain to the specifics of human
existence and the general instructions given by the sacred text. Essentially, this
will be a discussion and analysis on the general ethical teachings or principles
espoused by the Quran and the specific verses relating to individual and
communal obligations, and to what extent is the latter open to interpretation.
I submit, here, that although the Quran does indeed contain guidelines that
are both general and also specific, its content, additionally, contains several
clear and specific injunctions and commands that pertain to the specifics of
human existence that are agreed upon, to one extent or another, by all
schools of Islamic law. The examples that will be provided as illustrations are
mainly drawn from the Quranic dietary and penal laws.
Moreover, the role of the Prophet within Muslim theology will also be
explored and presented as a bridge to understanding this ostensible
contradictory conundrum. It is the Muslim view of Muhammad as the
manifestation of the Quranic discourse and best exemplar for mankind that
highlights his pivotal role within Islamic theology and legal theory as the
authentic source for the interpretation of the Quran itself.

Sources:
Brown, J. A. C. (2009). Hadith: Muhammad's Legacy in the Medieval and Modern
World. Oxford: Oneworld.
Dr. Jonathan A.C. Brown is an associate professor holding the Prince al-Waleed Bin
Talal Chair of Islamic Civilization at Georgetown University. He has authored several
works on the topic of hadith and is the author of Muhammad: A Very Short
Introduction, published by Oxfords short introduction series.
As a specialist in Hadith studies, Brown has demonstrated his incredible insight into
the colossal intellectual achievement known as the Hadith tradition; the admirable and
innovative endeavour of Muslim scholars to reconstruct the teachings and legacy of
the Prophet. Brown skillfully takes the reader on a journey through time, providing a
critical analysis of the study of scholarship (both traditional and oriental) throughout
Islamic history.
Of significant interest is Chapter 5, which discusses the function of the prophetic
tradition in Islamic law and legal theory, which sheds light on the role of the Prophet
as the manifestation of the Quranic discourse and its proper interpretation.
Additionally, Brown explores the purpose of the prophetic tradition in Islamic
theology, unorthodox expressions of Islam, and its role in contemporary debates in the
modern world.
On the whole, Hadith: Muhammads Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World
serves as brilliant introduction to the study of the hadith literature and its criticisms
the historical debates surrounding its authenticity amongst western scholars to both
beginners and specialists alike.

Hallaq, W. B. (2009). An Introduction to Islamic law. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge

University Press.
Wael B. Hallaq, a scholar of Islamic law and Islamic intellectual history, is widely
regarded as a contemporary authority on Islamic law. He is the author of multiple
books and articles on Islamic law and jurisprudence, and is the current Avalon
Foundation Professor at Columbia University. His works range from studies of Ibn
Taymiyyahs polemics against the Greek logicians, to the historical study and
development of Islamic law, and Sunni Usool al-Fiqh (Principles of jurisprudence).
Intended primarily as a comprehensive introduction to Islamic law for undergraduate
students, An Introduction to Islamic Law would, additionally, be a valuable
preliminary reading for anyone wishing to commence a study on Islamic law.
This work would be an asset to the chosen topic of research when one takes into
account the very nature of the question regarding the specifics of human existence.
When understood within the context of Islam, these specifics pertain to the

application of Islam on an individual and collective level, which are governed by an

encompassing legal code and body of literature that forms Islamic law.

Khui, A. A.-Q. I. . A. (1998). Prolegomena to the Qur'an, trans. Abdulaziz

Sacheina. New York, Oxford University Press.
Al-Sayyid Abu al-Qasim al-Musawi al-Khui is widely regarded as one of the greatest
and most influential Shii scholars that the Twelver Imami tradition has ever
produced. In the Prolegomena to the Quran, al-Khui presents us with a
comprehensive history and critical analysis of the Quran and its major themes.
Moreover, it addresses several common as well as uncommon points of contention
amongst Muslims and non-Muslims such as the possibility of Tahreef (distortion) and
the seven Qiraat (modes of recitation).
A great scholarly work, by one of the highest-ranking religious authorities within
Shii Islam, this text appears primarily aimed towards those with a well-grounded
understanding of the Quran, its historical context, and its themes and issues.
In particular, chapter 12: the Principles of Exegesis would prove beneficial in
understanding the principles behind Quranic exegesis, however, overall, the
Prolegomena to the Quran provides comprehensive insight and background
knowledge of the holy text that is central for a thorough study of the Quran and its
interpretation.

Saeed, A. (2006). Interpreting the Quran towards a contemporary approach.

Abingdon, Routledge.

Abdullah Saeed is a distinguished scholar of Islam, holding the positions of Sultan of

Oman Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies and Director of the Centre for the
Study of Contemporary Islam at the University of Melbourne.
However, unlike Saeeds other book cited below, in this work Saeed solely focuses on
the contemporary debates regarding the interpretation of the Quran in the modern
world. In doing so, Saeed explores the ethico-legal content of the sacred scripture
itself and offers an alternative approach to the study and interpretation of the Quran
that remains faithful to the historical context and interpretation, but also takes into
consideration contemporary contexts of the Qurans interpretation.

Saeed, A. (2006). Islamic Thought: An introduction. London: Routledge.

As mentioned above, Abdullah Saeed is a distinguished scholar of Islam whose

positions at the University of Melbourne and wide-ranging publications illustrate.
In regards to Islamic Thought: An Introduction, Saeed provides a remarkably
extensive introduction to the wide-ranging topic of Islamic thought, primarily, one can
assume, for the general public who may wish to become more acquainted with this
subject. Particular but not exclusive attention should be given to chapter 4 where
Saeed commences his discussion on legal thought. Giving a concise, yet, broad
history of the development of Islamic law, Saeed then proceeds to describe the
sources of Islamic law before moving onto a discussion of the legal schools within
Islam itself.
Moreover, Saeed goes on to highlight the crucial distinction between the types of
instructions and injunctions given in the Quran. The first being specific, which Saeed
identifies as the dietary laws and some penal codes, and the other being general
principles and values that are to be eternalised and acted upon by the believer. Such a
discussion will be at the centre of the forth-coming paper, therefore, this chapter in
particular will prove an effective source in the research and construction of my essay.