Description
Book SynopsisFor many in the West, the teachings of the Qur'an are often enshrouded in mystery and fear. Yet Islam's holy book gave birth to one of the most powerful and enlightened civilisations the world has ever seen. By the sixteenth century, Muslim culture stretched from India to Africa to Europe, preserving with it the ancient learning that helped spawn the Renaissance. With its interwoven ideas of faith and reason, justice and mercy, the path of Islam - which literally means "surrendering to God's will" - offers a uniquely focused and balanced approach to living life with a profound awareness of God. With gentleness and insight, Sohaib N. Sultan leads you through the central themes of both the Qur'an and the collected sayings of Prophet Muhammad, known as hadith. These teachings dispel common misconceptions about Muslim beliefs and offer practical guidance for your own spiritual journey, from understanding the merciful nature of God; to cultivating peace and justice in the self, family and society; to answering questions about the afterlife and how to attain it. Now you can experience the wisdom of Qur'anic teachings even if you have no previous knowledge of Islam or Muslim writings. Insightful yet unobtrusive facing-page commentary explains the texts for you, allowing you to enter into the path of surrender to God.
Trade Review"A superb guide ... intelligently illuminates each thematically arranged passage and concisely summarizes centuries of Islamic interpretive wisdom." —Scott C. Alexander, PhD,associate professor of Islam and director of Catholic-Muslim Studies, Catholic Theological Union “A comprehensive but accessible introduction.... Assists the reader in grasping the basic issues that underlie the teachings of Islamic spirituality.... Stimulating and thought-provoking, allowing the reader to dialogue with Islamic spirituality at a level very near to lived experience.” —Monastic Interreligious Dialogue “Lays before us ... the insights and beauty of one of the world's great sacred texts. A valuable book for any reader who honestly wants to understand the Qur’an and what it teaches.” —Michael Wolfe, author of The Hadj: An American’s Pilgrimage to Mecca “A clear distillation of Islam’s essentials from the sources, this book should prove useful for any introduction to Islam. Recommended.” —Choice “Takes complex, wide-ranging aspects of Islam and makes them clear and accessible for the non-Muslim and Muslim alike. Comes alive with thoughtfully presented insights and reflections. Whether you have a passing interest in Islam, or have serious questions about this community of faith, you will want to consult [this book].” —Rev. Steven Blackburn, PhD,Duncan Black Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations “A good introduction.” —Christian Century
Table of ContentsForeword Introduction A Note on the Translation 1. On Contemplation, Reason, and Faith 2. On God and Divine Attributes 3. On Revelation and Scripture 4. On Prophetic Character and Message 5. On the Purpose and Responsibility of Human Life 6. On the Stages of Human Life 7. On the Psyche, Heart, and Soul 8. On Spiritual Practice and Discipline 9. On Laws in Daily Life 10. On Noble Character and Good Morals 11. On Envisioning a Just and Moral Society 12. On Pluralism, Inclusive Theology, and Interfaith Relations 13. On Peace, War, and Reconciliation 14. On Women and Gender Relations 15. On Marriage and Family Life Acknowledgments Notes Suggestions for Further Reading
