A rich and informative introduction situates the Qur'an in its cultural context and describes its unique structure and history. A note from the translators explains their painstaking efforts to address the many challenges that any translator must face when rendering the Qur'an into English. Extensive notes and explanatory apparatus will help all readers--whether they are familiar with the original or coming to the text for the first time--to read (and hear) the Qur'an with fresh understanding and insight. 672 pages hc