Commentary on the Quran

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This in-depth commentary on the foundational scripture of the Islamic faith has been produced by Dr Thomas C. Daffern both as an overall introduction to Islamic studies on the part of beginners, and also as suitable for advanced level thinkers who have been exploring Islam and comparative religions for many years. This commentary explores both the outward, historical circumstances of the Quran’s creation, as well as the innermost meaning of the Qur'an, told utilising the fullest possible range of contemporary scholarly resources, including linguistic, philosophical, historical, Sufi, psychological, mystical and rational analyses. The author utilises the overall methodology of transpersonal historiography to try and unravel the inner story behind the Qur'an's creation, trying to eavesdrop into the mind and spirit of Muhammad as he received these verses. The author explores various theories as to the ultimate provenance of the Quran, whether it arises from an angelic transmission directly through Muhammad without any alteration (the conventional Islamic viewpoint). Internal evidence in the Quran itself however points to the fact that whereas the ultimate concepts and ideas behind the Quran might have been so generated at a level of “Angelic Intelligence”, the Arabic text we have today has been strongly filtered through the cultural and intellectual apparatus of Muhammad’s own conscious and unconscious world-view. The text carries many tell-tale signs of the thought-world of a merchant with strong spiritual yearnings, in early 7th century Mecca and Medina. This commentary is unique in that it references many modern sources of historical, linguistic, archaeological evidence that allow us to place the thought-world of Muhammad in its context. Transpersonal history also allows us to map the spiritual content of the Quran by combining insights of scientific transpersonal psychology (Jung, Assagioli, Wilber, Maslow, Grof etc) with the historical sciences of critical scholarship. Current events in the world mean this unique commentary should be studied by all who seek to understand Islam and its place in the world. It should be appreciated by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The Commentary and text are read in chronological order or transmission of the Suras instead of in the published order in Uthmann's edition.