Michael Sells 'Approaching The Qur' An

As Michael Sells states in the beginning of Approaching the Qur’an, “To devout Muslims, the recited Qur’an is the word of God revealed to the prophet Muhammed; its divine origin accounts for its hold over the listener” (Sells, 1). In simpler terms, the Qur’an is a very significant guide of the Islamic faith. Nevertheless, many centuries have passed by since the time Islam first started being practice. Like many other religions today, the Qur’an draws a good deal of controversy because of its links to radical Islam as well as the certain opinions that are brought upon cultures that are not accustom to the faith. Moreover, because of these issues, it is important to recognize what kind of understandings exists linked to the Qur’an. The significant
“For them, the sense of some extraordinary power and beauty in its language is readily recognized.” (Sells, 2). The language in which the Qur’an is recited in is most likely one of the more obvious element between pre-colonial and modern Islamic relationships. Additionally, the way it is recited seems to be almost in a form of song, with such powerful connotation and meaning. Sells says that “the sound of Qur’anic recitation can move people to tears […] including those who may not be particularly observant or religious in temperament” (Sells, 3). For Westerners, the specific Suras are learned like “pages of a book with a sequence beginning, middle and end” (Sells, 11). Sells also recognizes a contrast between traditional Islamic countries and Western countries in terms of recitation. For traditionalists, they learn the Qur’an at a young age and memorize the verses and Suras in Arabic. More specifically, they learn the Suras at the end of the Qur’an because it is easier. These students interiorize the “inner rhythms, sound patterns, and textual dynamics --- taking it to heart in the deepest manner” (Sells, 11). The Suras that Sells presents in his book contain “powerful and revelatory” passages with meaningful vision. As an outsider looking in, it is essential to acknowledge the techniques in which the Qur’an is read and recited around the world
The most prevalent example is the Qur’anic verse 4:34. This specific verse is debated around the world because of how it seems to degrade women how men are raised on a superior pedestal. Ayesha Chaudhry, an Islamic studies professor, breaks down the certain attitudes towards this topic into 4 different sentiments. The traditionalist hold beliefs that men are superior to women and the pre-colonial traditions clearly matter in their society. They deem that “hitting one’s wife for disciplinary purposes is ethically good” (Chaudhry, 170). Next, the neotraditionalists hold the opinion that men may or may not be superior to women, as well as the fact that their pre-colonial traditions matter. Chaudhry says that the men limit the amount of times they choose to beat their wives as much as possible, “even making it symbolic” (Chaudhry, 170). The progressive Muslims believe that “it is never good to hit one’s wife, not even symbolically” (Chaudhry, 171). However, they still hold the same traditions as their predecessors in new ways. Lastly, the reformists seek to ensure women that they are equal to their male counterpart and all the opinions held from previous pre-colonial traditions do not matter. Qur’anic verse 4:34 is a great example on how different subgroups exist within a religion to express their interpretations on a topic that is