Lire Dans Le Parcours D'une Creation (A Partir De La Surate XCVI Du Coran) * (Abstract in English; Text in French) (Critical Essay‪)‬

The article offers a new reading of the Qur'an by examining the linguistic structure of the sacred text, starting with the multiple and varied lexical occurrence of "reading" in the Qur'an. The article moves from the notion of reading as it figures in the first revealed sura--which opens with the imperative form of the verb: "Read"--to the notion of reading inherent in the very term of "Qur'an." The article explores "reading" in the Qur'an in terms of its first reader/receiver, Prophet Muhammad, as well as in terms of potential readers. There are sixteen instances of the verb "read" in the Qur'an in different tenses. These verbs are analyzed in their textual context as well as in their relations and the web of meaning they produce. Finally, the article looks into the Qur'anic meaning of reading and writing and what makes the Qur'an a text for all times and all readers. **********