The Literature of the Quran (Collection of Essays)

This book comprises a translation of seven articles and essays that explore the literary aspects of the Quran. These writings were originally penned between 1986 and 2006 and appeared as book chapters or journal articles.

The Literature of the Quran is a translated collection of seven Quranic essays written by Mustansir Mir, a renowned Pakistani-American researcher. The articles cover a wide range of topics, including the themes of continuity and coherence within each chapter of the Quran, the evolution of Quranic exegesis in the twentieth century, the Quran’s language as a work of literature, the presence of humor, conversations and dialogues, the story of Prophet Joseph, and the use of satire within the Quran. These articles thoroughly explore the literary aspects of the Quran, with the first article serving as an introduction to the subsequent ones.

The author takes a novel approach to the Quran by examining it through the lens of modern literature, delving into previously overlooked issues. The translator’s intention is to introduce Persian readers to these thought-provoking topics, with the hope that this collection of essays will offer a new perspective on the final divine scripture.

In the preface of the book, the translator notes that there is a span of twenty years between the release of the first essay in 1986 and the publication of the final essay in 2006.

However, it should be noted that in the translated version, the essays were not arranged in their original chronological order. Instead, they were organized based on a logical sequence. As a result, the essay on the continuity and coherence of each Quranic chapter, which establishes the foundation for the subsequent essays, is presented first. It is followed by an essay on the language of the Quran, as linguistic considerations precede the exploration of literary aspects.

In the translated version, the essay examining the Quran as a literary work is positioned before the remaining four essays. This arrangement is deliberate, as the subsequent essays focus on specific literary aspects of the Quran, whereas the essay on the Quran as a literary work takes a broader perspective, providing an introductory overview of various literary genres. It serves as a preliminary foundation for the subsequent essays, which delve into more specific and detailed issues.

In another section of the preface, the translator highlights that the topics addressed in this book often lack precedents or are entirely unprecedented. Examples include the exploration of humor and satire within the Quran. Such discussions offer novel perspectives on the final divine scripture