The Jewels of the Qur'an: Al-Ghazali's Theory: A translation, with an introduction and annotation of al-Ghazali's Kitab Jawahir al-Qur'an

by Muhammad Abul Quasem (Translator), Abu Hamid al-Ghazali

This work, a translation of Imam al-Ghazali's 'Kitab Jawahir al-Qur'an', contains his views on several broad problems relating to the study of the Qur'an, in which various parts of the Qur'an are compared to various types of valuables, such as jewels, pearls, rubies, red brimstone, corundum, etc. The book also carries translation of over 1500 verses which al-Ghazali calls the jewels and the pearls of the Qur'an. This classification is unprecedented in the history of Qur'anic studies, presented here in free-flowing modern English which makes the work scholarly and enjoyable. Divisions of the sciences of the Qur'an Secrets of Surah Fatiha, Ayat al Kursi, Yasin, Ikhlas etc English translation of over 1500 verses: The jewels and the pearls of the Qur'an

Genres: Islam

249 pages, Paperback

Published July 3, 2018

Reviews

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, the Qur’an is most adequately described as an endless sea in whose depths an abundance of jewels, pearls, and precious stones can be extracted. In this book, al-Ghazali provides a classification of the various types of verses found in the Qur'an. He divides them into six categories, likening them to jewels, pearls, red brimstones, corundums, musk, and aloe wood. The first and most important of these categories concerns the definition of ”the One to Whom men are called”—knowledge of God. This knowledge in turn comprises knowledge of His essence, His attributes, and His works. These are the jewels of the Qur'an. The second category concerns the definition of the path towards God; these are the pearls. The third category defines man’s condition at the time of attaining to God. These are the three principal categories and the three that follow them enrich and complete the first. In this book, al-Ghazali is concerned primarily with the jewels and the pearls. The jewels comprise the cognitive part of the Qur’an and the pearls are the practical part that demonstrate to man how to attain God through practice.

This book is essential reading for those who wish to reach deeper when it comes to their reflection upon the Qur’an. It provides a good overview of the aims of the Book as well as an insight into the nature and purpose of different types of verses. In the second part, all verses that al-Ghazali considers to be jewels and pearls have been transcribed, and it is beneficial to have such a division at hand. It gives a good overview and provides a basis for further study and reflection based on the Qur’an alone, which can then be completed with Tafsir and other works. I read the book and I am now following Hamza Yusuf’s lecture series on it, which is also worth checking out for a deeper understanding.