What is the nature of the Qur'an? It might seem a straightforward question, but there is no consensus among modern communities of the Qur'an, both Muslim and non-Muslim, about the answer. And why should there be? On numerous occasions throughout history, believers from different schools and denominations, and at different times and places, have agreed to disagree. The Qur'anic interpreters, jurists and theologians of medieval Baghdad, Cairo and Cordoba coexisted peacefully in spite of their diverging beliefs. Seeking to revive this 'ethics of disagreement' of Classical Islam, this volume explores the different relationships societies around the world have with the Qur'an and how our understanding of the text can be shaped by studying the interpretations of others. From LGBT groups to urban African American communities, this book aims to represent the true diversity of communities of the Qur'an in the twenty-first century, and the dialogue and debate that can flow among them.

Foreword Reza Aslan Introduction Emran El-Badawi and Paula SandersPART I: COMMUNITIES OF CULTURE AND EXPERIENCE 1 African-American Communities of the Qur'an Aminah Beverly Al-Deen 2 Nizari Ismaili Engagements with the Qur'an: the Khojas of South Asia Ali Asani 3 The Reception of the Qur'an in Popular Sufism in Indonesia: tadabbur among the Ma'iyah Community Lien Iffah Naf'atu Fina and Ahmad Rafiq PART II: BETWEEN GENDER AND COMMUNITY 4 Musawah: Gender Equity through Qur'anic Discourse Amina Wadud5 The Reception of the Qur'an in the LGBTQ Muslim Community Scott Siraj al-Haqq Kugle PART III: THE SILENT, SPEAKING AND LIVING WORD 6 The Speaking Qur'an and the Praise of the Imam: the Memory and Practice of the Qur'an in the Twelver Shia Tradition Sajjad Rizvi7 The Qur'an and the Baha'i Faith Todd Lawson PART IV: COMMUNITIES OF TEXT AND TRADITION 8 How the Qur'an Shapes the Sunni Community Ingrid Mattson 9 The Qur'an and the Ahmadiyya Community: an Overview Mujeeb Ur Rahman10 Why the Qur'anists are the Solution: a Declaration Ahmed Subhy Mansour Afterword Reuven Firestone Index