"Approaching the Qur'an captures the complexity, power, and poetry of the early suras, or chapters, of the Qur'an, the sacred scripture of Islam. Michael Sells presents brilliant translations of the short, hymnic suras associated with the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. In the second edition, Sells offers a new translation and commentary on the Sura of the Compassionate (al-Rahmān), which holds a special place within Islamic devotion and literature. Additionally, a new preface addresses the ongoing controversy over teaching about Islam and the Qur'an in Americna universities." --from Publisher.