Few events in history have fascinated the layperson and the scholar as much as the exodus of the Israelites from ancient Egypt. This phenomenal interest has led to extensive research into scriptural, historical, and archaeological sources. The Qur'an, however, has been completely ignored by Western researchers because of the faith put in the Biblical narrative and the prejudiced view that the Qur'an's account is based on Jewish sources, including the Bible.
This book examines in detail the Biblical narrative of the exodus, concluding that it contains a substantial amount of historically inaccurate and false information. It also shows that the similarities between the Qur'anic exodus and its Biblical counterpart are very limited and the differences between the two scriptures are much greater in number and detail. Particularly significant is the fact that the Qur'an is free of the erroneous and inaccurate Biblical statements that have contributed to the rejection of the historicity of the exodus by many scholars. The book demonstrates that the Qur'anic account is consistent with what we know today from archaeological finds and historical sources. This pioneering study is an attempt to create what might be called "Qur'anic archaeology."
Detailed but easy to read, this book is intended for both the general reader and the expert. Informative and thought-provoking, this study is for those with an interest in the exodus in scripture, archaeological finds, and historical sources, comparative studies of the Qur'an and the Bible, and modern Qur'anic exegesis. No specialist knowledge is required to read the book.
This detailed analysis of the exodus of Israel from ancient Egypt in scriptural and historical sources includes:
· The Israelites in ancient Egypt
· The Qur'anic and Biblical accounts of the exodus
· Historical problems in the Biblical narrative
· The exodus in archaeological finds
· The exodus in historical sources
· Identifying the Pharaoh of the exodus