reynolds-the-quran-in-its-historical-context-2

278 Munther YounesThe real question is not the legitimacy of such reconstructions, but anment of the reconstructed version in terms of logic, coherence and meaning,, _aassessment that also takes into consideration the circumstances in whichQur;·anic text emerged. It is clear that the traditional commentatorsprovide a satisfactory interpretation of the verses discussed here. This failurestrong argument in favor of a new way of thinking.Al-Najm (Q 53), Chapter of the StarA new Syro-Aramaic reading ofVerses 1 to 18Christoph Luxenbergu•v••vo'''"'"' analysis has shown that the three terms that form the framework ofscripture oflslam have a Syriac etymology, namely: 1. Qur'an (a modireadingof qeryan = lectionary); 1 2. Siira (from Syriac .$llra1 kJ.a!J; lit.: text ofoook= [holy] scripture); 3. iiya (a false reading ofSyriac atha =sign [amongmeanings]: a. a heavenly sign = miracle; b. each sign that makes up thei.e. each letter of the alphabet).Z Thus it appears increasingly clear thatof the Qur'an, the first foundational book in the literary language ofcannot be understood in its historical context except when the dominantlanguage ot-tbe-pe:no,cHmd.-miUe:u-tn-\1\'btcb--th