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The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran: A Contribution to the Decoding of the Language of the Koran Hardcover – March 1, 2007

by Christoph Luxenberg (Author)
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Throughout its history the Koran has presented problems of interpretation. Some scholars estimate that at least a quarter of the text is obscure in meaning, not only for Western translators but even native Arabic speakers, who struggle with the archaic vocabulary that is no longer used in modern Arabic.
In this in-depth study of the language of the Koran, scholar Christoph Luxenberg dispels much of the mystery surrounding numerous hitherto unclear passages. The key, as Luxenberg shows exhaustively, is to understand that Aramaic--the language of most Middle Eastern Jews and Christians of the pre-Islamic era--had a pervasive influence on the development of the Arabic text of the Koran. For a thousand years preceding the advent of Islam, Aramaic (or Syriac as it was sometimes called) was the lingua franca of many parts of the Near East. It was the native language of the first Christian evangelists and the main liturgical language of the early Christian churches from Syria to Iran.

Based on this historical context and a profound knowledge of Semitic languages, Luxenberg clarifies many thorny textual puzzles. Perhaps his most interesting argument is that the passage often translated as referring to the "virgins" that are believed to greet the departed faithful in paradise was long ago misunderstood. In fact, knowledge of ancient Christian hymns in Aramaic suggests that the word in question refers to "grapes" that the departed will enjoy in a paradisiacal garden. Luxenberg discusses many other similar fascinating instances where Aramaic vocabulary and concepts influenced the text of the Koran

This highly erudite work makes a significant contribution to the study of the Koran and the history of Islamic origins.
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  1. Print length
    349 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Prometheus Books
  4. Publication date
    March 1, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    6.1 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    3899300882
  7. ISBN-13
    978-3899300888
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christoph Luxenberg is a German scholar and professor of ancient Semitic and Arabic languages.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Prometheus Books; First Edition (March 1, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 349 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 3899300882
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3899300888
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.32 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

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4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
84 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Peter C. Patton
5.0 out of 5 stars A Tabari for our Time
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2021
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This author writes on the Quran with the skill and diligence of its first serious commentator Abu Ga'far Muhammed al Tabari, who wrote a 31 book (codex) commentary on the Quran, later bound as 12 volumes, only two centuries after it was standardized by Caliph Abu Bakr. But Christoph Luxenberg, in addition to having al Tabari's erudition and grammatical Arabic skills, has another 1200 year of Eastern scholarship and 500 years of Western scholarship upon which to draw. Like al Tabari, Luxenberg will be criticized; Quran commentaries were keenly discouraged in antiquity. The mullahs said: "just recite it and do it." But the faithful complained: "How can we do it when we don't know what it means?" This book explains many difficult or misunderstood verses by tracing non-Arabic loan words back to their Syro-Aramaic or Aramaic originals. While there was some earlier written Arabic poetry, the Quran was probably the first actual book written in Arabic, and written in a defective cursive script proto-alphabet (no vowels) and only 14 graphemes to record 29 consonants. Later points were added to distinguish consonants with similar graphemes but many mistakes were made. This book is not an easy read, but the Arabic, Syro-Aramaic, Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin, and even the French and German citations are presented in English as well. I recommend reading it with an open English translation of the Quran and suggest The Generous Quran by Usama K. Dakok (ISBN 978-0-9824137-0-8), also available from amazon. Dadok translates the verses into English and flags in footnotes on each page the non-Arabic words and their likely origin. Thus, when Luxenberg comments on a problematic verse, you can see it in its context and also see what Eastern scholarship comments on it. Luxenberg's study is literary criticism showing us how to read the Quran accurately as it was first written but isn't necessarily "critical." In some case he notes that the Quran got it exactly right and the error in today's interpretation has arisen from centuries of misunderstanding and false dogma. My favorite example is Sura verses 44:54 and 52:20, the promise of dark-eyed eternal-virgin Houris in Paradise. Luxenberg proves conclusively that these verse can be understood in the Syro-Aramaic reading as "We will make you comfortable under white, crystal (clear) grapes." So the fallen Jihadis expecting 72 virgins will instead be handed 72 sultanas (white raisins), the same greeting they would be given upon being welcomed to a Bedouin's tent in the desert.
19 people found this helpful
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Ulfilas
5.0 out of 5 stars A careful and reverent analysis of certain passages in the Koran
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2011
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The author presents an analysis of the Koran that in an enlightened world would not be expected to excite controversy of any sort. The tone of the book is one of benevolent calm and carefully balanced reasoning that could hardly be expected to offend any person capable of sentient reflection. Most of the passages analyzed by the author would not seem to be on the verge of overturning Islam and the authority of the Koran. One passage of interest is the one in which Mary gives birth to Jesus. In this account there is an Arabic phrase indicating the existence of a streamlet from which Mary was able to drink while in labor. It is argued by the author, however, the original Aramaic version of this phrase states that the birth is legitimate (pp.141-142; Sura 19:24)) rather than that such a streamlit existed. Somewhat more controversial is the statement in the Koran that when rendered in Aramaic implies that its original language was indeed a foreign one and not Arabic (pp.123-124).

The topic that brought this book to the attention of the news media, that it is white raisins rather than willing virgins that the devout Muslim will encounter in Paradise, is given ample space. Indeed, pages 247-283 are devoted to this topic. The author regards his efforts as helping "the Koran to achieve its original inner coherence" (p.264) so that the notion of Paradise depicted by Ephraem the Syrian is restored to its proper place. The chapter "Virgins in Paradise" is followed by the chapter "The Boys of Paradise" (pp.284-291). Although the author does not suggest that any interpretation of the role of "boys" in such a place might be salacious, devout Muslims might take comfort in the author indicating that the Arabic word "walid" (i.e. boy or child), equivalent to the Aramaic word "yalda", is meant as a reference to "child of the vine"--that is, wine.

The reader of this book must have, at the very least, some knowledge of Arabic for this book to be at all comprehensible. Such knowledge of Arabic should be at an intermediate level, allowing the reader to parse verses of the Koran with the aid of a dictionary and an interlinear translation. The Aramaic phrases are written using the beautiful Estrangelo Syriac alphabet that can easily be found on the web, and which in some ways resembles the Hebrew alphabet.

As to the argument of the author that much of the Koran had originated from Aramaic texts, I must confess that I am not sufficiently expert in my knowledge of Arabic to make an independent assessment. As for my knowledge of Aramaic, it is quite rudimentary. Nevertheless, the book is sufficiently clearly argued for me to at least enjoy the discussion, and to imagine its import and relevance.
86 people found this helpful
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Arif Jaafar
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2020
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This book is very academic and not suitable for public consumption...I mean the way it's written, it's not an easy read without having some background information about the Koran.

Although the author did not said it explicitly, it is clear from reading the book that he is a proponent of the theory that the Koran has pre-Islamic Christian origins and some of the material predates Muhammad's life.

I'm giving it 5 stars because I believe that this topic is important in the academic study of the Koran. There should be more textual criticism on the Koran from scholars without fear of retribution.
12 people found this helpful
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Dan D.
5.0 out of 5 stars For the serious Arabic reader
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2022
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It is above me , I lack some prerequisite skills; but am using it as I am able. It is a most scholarly study of the Koran. Knowing Arabic.Syriac or Aramaic would be a plus when you read this. Not just for the curious ; it is for the serious study of the Koran.
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Edison
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in Canada on February 17, 2023
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This is an excellent source for anyone interested in studies of the Koran or Islam. Impeccably researched and documented. Well done, factual and explanatory.
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Colin Slater
5.0 out of 5 stars Important, deeply researched; knowledge of the languages advised
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2022
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Important book which needs to be longer - it's long enough! - so some sequels are needed. And then a break down of all their contents into a digest would be good. Why it's taken 1,000 years to do such an obvious piece of scholarship requires critiquing.
2 people found this helpful
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Laurent T
5.0 out of 5 stars Très interessant
Reviewed in France on December 24, 2019
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Très intéressant
Livre documenté assez complexe à lire.
Avec du temps et de la patience on y arrive toujours.
2 people found this helpful
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Abdul
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on March 3, 2017
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Must read and a must have collection.
One person found this helpful
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Billpete002
4.0 out of 5 stars Really dense book.
Reviewed in Germany on August 1, 2023
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If you aren't doing research, an ancient linguist, or like reading really dense material then stay clear. All that said, the arguments are very well developed and highlight the inaccuracies in modern Korans and how much of the language derives from (as the title suggests) Syro-Aramaic.

Hopefully the findings of this book, and other research like it, are compiled and written for the layman so a wider audience can be reached.
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