International Journal of English Literature and Culture
 

International Journal of English Literature and Culture

Vol. 1(1), pp. 1–8, August, 2013

ISSN: 2360-7831

DOI: 10.14662/IJELC2013.002

Review

The Elizabethan Image of the Qur’ān

Fahd Mohammed Taleb Saeed Al-Olaqi

Department of English, Faculty of Science and Arts, Khulais King Abdulaziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabi, Email: fahdmtm@yahoo.co.uk

Accepted 18 August, 2013

The Arabic Qur’ān entered Europe through Spain with Muslim conquerors in the eighth century. Though the Elizabethan treaties about Islam introduced the Qur’ānic teachings, Prophet Muhammad’s mission was rejected, and he was announced a false prophet. In Elizabethan literature, this anti-Islamic misinformation is intently expressed against the Prophet and the Qur’ān. Crimes and evil characteristics are imputed to the stereotypes of the Moors and Turks. These traits are referred to the Muslims’ culture as they are represented being imbedded in the Qur’ān. Some Elizabethan dramatists have developed their interest in the Qur’ānic theology. It has been depicted to the Elizabethan audience that Qur’ān justifies the Turkish imperialism. For Marlowe, smashing or burning copies of the Qur’ān is a symbol of personal revenge and attack on religion.
 
Key words: Saracen, Turkish Qur’ān, Muhammad, translation, divinity.