The Study Quran

A review of The Study Quran (ISBN 9780061125874). This volume includes a complete translation of the Quran along with extensive, scholarly explanatory notes as well as in-depth essays on topics such as the Quranic view of other religions; Quranic ethics and human rights; war and peace in the Quran; and death, dying, and the afterlife in the Quran. The editor notes that the commentary on the Quran provided in this volume “has been composed with the aim of creating a work that is accessible to the general English-reading public, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.” He adds that the volume “is meant to be a resource both for those who wish to study the Quran in its entirety and for those who are interested in a particular subject or topic.” Indexes and internal citations “facilitate easy navigation and enable readers to reference quickly what they are seeking.” The edition reviewed here is a blue paperback, 9.25 x 6.3 x 1.41 inches in dimensions. The binding is glued. The text is laid out in a single-column format, organized into paragraphs, with an approximately 12 point font. Verses are indicated by red numerals. An detailed introduction is provided for each surah. The lengthy and informative study notes appear at page bottom in a two-column format. The font there is approximately 9 points. Red numerals indicate the verse or verses to which the notes correspond. The essays span a total of 269 pages. They are in a single-column format with a roughly 10.5 point font. Ten somewhat glossy color maps are placed at the back of the volume. Page edges are plain. No ribbon markers or head or tail bands are present. Video contents 00:00 Introduction 02:59 Defects in my copy 03:43 Page layout 06:30 Format of surah introductions 07:06 Translation features (God, not Allah; ‘Thou,’ ...) 10:58 The text is not line-matched 11:11 The font and print quality 12:04 Paper 12:49 Opacity 13:26 Notes - font and layout 13:42 Layout of essays and appendixes 17:47 Blank pages and color maps 18:38 Liner, glued binding, cover 19:45 It lies open and flat 20:05 The material in front 23:04 The intended audience 23:54 Selections from the essays 29:55 A surah introduction 30:35 The notes are extensive 31:40 Sample text and translation notes 34:52 Sample study notes 47:57 Conclusion