Understanding the Koran

A Quick Christian Guide to the Muslim Holy Book

By: Mateen Elass

Narrated by: Don Reed

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Did you know that the Koran teaches the virgin birth and miracle-filled, prophetic ministry of Jesus? Claims to fully embrace his teachings? Reveres Abraham, Moses, Jonah, and other biblical prophets?

Find out how the Koran resembles the Bible—and the drastic ways in which it differs. Understanding the Koran gives you a fascinating essential grasp of Islam’s holy book: where it came from, what it teaches, how Muslims view it, and how the Allah of the Koran compares with the God of the Bible.

Cherished as the final, perfect revelation of God’s will by 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide, the Koran has become a part of American life. Today, those who read and memorize it may work in your town, shop where you shop, or send their children to the same school your kids attend. What do you know about the holy book that shapes the lives and eternal destinies of your neighbors and a fifth of the world’s population?

While some similarities exist between the Koran and the Bible, the differences are striking. Written by a pastor who was born to a Muslim father and raised in Saudi Arabia, Understanding the Koran gives you a fascinating, easy-to-understand overview that will show you:

• Why the background behind the Koran is important
• How the Koran came into existence
• A summary of the main teachings of the Koran, including what it says about Jesus and the crucifixion
• Similarities and differences between Muslim and Christian views of God
• What the Koran teaches about Jihad and holy war
• What the Koran teaches about heaven and hell.

More than furnishing you with an essential grasp of Islam’s holy book, Understanding the Koran points you to the one thing that can draw your Muslim friends to Jesus—his love, demonstrated to them through you. Discussion questions enable you to use this book in group studies.

©2004 Mateen Elass (P)2010 Zondervan

Good explanation of the Koran

It is encouraging Christians to tell Muslims about the love of Jesus. The mission field is here. Pray that we can bring the gospel of the good news of what Jesus did for us all. He died for everyone in the world.

Great overview backed up by references

If you could sum up Understanding the Koran in three words, what would they be?

Outstanding detailed comparison

What did you like best about this story?

The comparison between the Koran and the Bible

What about Don Reed’s performance did you like?

He didn't put me to sleep

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No needed time to think about it inbetween

not really an objective explanation

Disappointed!
More of a explanation of why Christ is better than Muhammad, and less of an explanation of the Quran that someone with a Christian upbringing can understand.

excelente way to learn more about 2 faiths

I liked the narrator. This book compares and contrasts the similarities and differences of Islam and Christianity. It is a great way to begin my journey to learn more on this specific topic. I found it so thought provoking.

Favors Christianity

This audiobook did a good job of comparing Islam and Christianity. However, the author's viewpoint is definitely that Christianity is better. He didn't give me any insight into why so many people choose to become and to remain Muslim. Thus, although it was very interesting, I felt there was a lack in the author's understanding.

good for general knowledge of the koran

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

know the thoughts and beliefs of those around you

Informative. For Christians, humorous at times.

I started to turn it off at the beginning as it sounded like a fundamentalist rant against Islam. But when I learned the author’s father was Muslim and that he himself was raised I a Muslim home, it gave the writer enough “street cred’” to hold my interest.
One huge plus is the reader, the author himself. He has a powerful, persuasive voice with crystal clear enunciation. Perhaps he is a preacher. It helped me finish the book.

An excellent book!

This book is exactly what it claims to be - a short Christian guide to the Koran - and it is certainly the best work of its kind that I have read.

The author is well informed and communicates clearly, especially with regards to helping Christian people appreciate what is distinctive in both Islam and its book. Moreover, the author shows an essentially gracious Christian attitude towards his Muslim sisters and brothers, and this, sadly, is far from commonplace.

The author is a Christian pastor who had a Muslim father, and this indeed qualifies him uniquely to write this excellent guide. If Christians only read one book about Islam and the Koran, let it be this one!

The way forward is clear.

Terrific insight into just how full of life the message of the gospel is compared to the message of the Koran.

The title should read Christian mission to Isla,

Skip the book if you want to have an unbiased analysis of Islam. Read it if you want to try to convert Muslims to Christianity.