! Milton: And the Qur'an

! Milton: And the Qur'an
John Milton, the renowned 17th-century English poet and intellectual, is best known for his epic poem "Paradise Lost," which reflects his deep engagement with Christian theology and classical literature. Although Milton's work primarily draws from the Bible and Greco-Roman sources, there are intriguing intersections with Islamic themes and the Qur'an. During Milton's time, Europe was increasingly encountering Islamic culture through trade and scholarship, and some scholars suggest that Milton may have been aware of Islamic texts, including the Qur'an, through translations and contemporary accounts. While there is no direct evidence that Milton studied the Qur'an extensively, the thematic parallels such as the portrayal of Satan’s rebellion, the concept of divine justice, and the depiction of paradise and hell can be seen as points of convergence between his work and Islamic theology. This potential cross-cultural dialogue highlights how Milton's literary landscape was influenced by a broader tapestry of religious and philosophical thought beyond the Christian tradition.