Encyclopedia of the Quran A to Z

The Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān, edited by Jane Dammen McAuliffe, is a comprehensive, scholarly reference work that provides in-depth analysis and commentary on the Qur’an, its concepts, terms, themes, personalities, and its reception and interpretation across history.

Key Features:

• Multi-volume set: Published in five volumes (plus an index volume), it offers alphabetically arranged articles on a wide range of topics.
• Academic perspective: Written by leading scholars in Islamic studies, the entries reflect critical, historical, linguistic, and theological approaches.
• Thematic scope: Includes entries on major Qur’anic figures (e.g., Abraham, Moses), important themes (justice, prophethood, paradise, etc.), and Qur’anic structure, style, and language.
• Reception history: Addresses how the Qur’an has been interpreted across time and cultures, including exegesis (tafsir), transmission, and translation.
• Comparative insights: Often compares Islamic views with Judeo-Christian scripture and scholarship.

Purpose:

It serves as an essential resource for students, scholars, and researchers of Islamic studies, religious studies, and comparative religion, offering a critical and contextual understanding of the Qur’an and its role in Muslim thought and practice.