In recent years, the study of the Qur''an and its interpretation has expanded to incorporate insights gained from historical, biblical, literary and critical studies.

A variety of approaches to the Qur''an and the Muslim exegetical tradition are currently available. Approaches to the Qur''an consists of thirteen essays by leading scholars, both Muslim and non-Muslim, in the fields of qur''anic studies and Islamic studies. Taken together, they offer a sample of the aims, methods and topics of enquiry now being pursued. Each study has a full critical apparatus, and the book includes a consolidated bibliography which will be of great value to students and specialists.