The Author

Karim Samji is Assistant Professor of History in Gettysburg College (USA). Education: B.A. University of California, Los Angeles; M.A. University of Utah; M.A. University of Michigan; Ph.D. University of Michigan.

Presentation

The corpus coranicum eludes familiar categories and resists strict labels. No doubt the threads woven into the fabric are exceptionally textured, varied, and complex. Accordingly, the
– introductory chapter of this book demonstrates the application of form criticism to the text.
– Chapter two then presents a form-critical study of the prayer genre. It identifies three productive formulae and addresses distinct social settings and forms associated with them.
– The third chapter begins by defining the liturgy genre vis-à-vis prayer in the Qurʾān. Drawing a line between the hymn and litany forms, this chapter treats each in turn.
– Chapter four considers the genre classified as wisdom literature. It identifies sapiential formulae and sheds light on wisdom contexts.
– The fifth chapter examines the narrative genre writ large. It also surveys narrative blocks of the long saga. The subsequent chapter on the proclamation genre inspects a set of vocative formulae, which occurs in the messenger situation.
– The concluding chapter looks at the corpus through synchronic and diachronic lenses. - In the end, Qurʾānic genres encapsulate the form-critical elements of formulae, forms, and settings, as well as an historical dimension.