Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1872–1953) was a highly respected scholar of Islam from India who also studied in England. As a child, he memorized the entire Qur'an and was an ardent student of early Qur’anic commentaries. He had the distinct honor of serving as vice chancellor of Islamia College in Lahore, Pakistan.Sohaib N. Sultan is the author of The Koran for Dummies. In 2005, he was appointed as the first-ever Muslim chaplain at Yale University and now serves as a Muslim chaplain at Trinity College and Wesleyan University. He is a freelance journalist and public speaker.Sohaib N. Sultan is available to speak on the following topics:The Qur'an and Its Place in Muslim LifeThe Message of the Qur'anThe Prophet Muhammad: A Spiritual BiographyThe Ethical Way of the Prophet MuhammadThe Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad and Contemporary IssuesJane I. Smith is professor of Islamic studies and co-director of the Macdonald Center for Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. She is co-editor of The Muslim World, a journal dedicated to the study of Islam, and editor of the Islam section of The Encyclopedia of Women in World Religions.Sohaib N. Sultan is the author of The Koran for Dummies. In 2005, he was appointed as the first-ever Muslim chaplain at Yale University and now serves as a Muslim chaplain at Trinity College and Wesleyan University. He is a freelance journalist and public speaker.Sohaib N. Sultan is available to speak on the following topics:The Qur'an and Its Place in Muslim LifeThe Message of the Qur'anThe Prophet Muhammad: A Spiritual BiographyThe Ethical Way of the Prophet MuhammadThe Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad and Contemporary Issues

• ForewordIntroductionA Note on the Translation1. On Contemplation, Reason, and Faith2. On God and Divine Attributes3. On Revelation and Scripture4. On Prophetic Character and Message5. On the Purpose and Responsibility of Human Life6. On the Stages of Human Life7. On the Psyche, Heart, and Soul8. On Spiritual Practice and Discipline9. On Laws in Daily Life10. On Noble Character and Good Morals11. On Envisioning a Just and Moral Society12. On Pluralism, Inclusive Theology, and Interfaith Relations13. On Peace, War, and Reconciliation14. On Women and Gender Relations15. On Marriage and Family LifeAcknowledgmentsNotesSuggestions for Further Reading

"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

Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1872–1953) was a highly respected scholar of Islam from India who also studied in England. As a child, he memorized the entire Qur'an and was an ardent student of early Qur’anic commentaries. He had the distinct honor of serving as vice chancellor of Islamia College in Lahore, Pakistan.Sohaib N. Sultan is the author of The Koran for Dummies. In 2005, he was appointed as the first-ever Muslim chaplain at Yale University and now serves as a Muslim chaplain at Trinity College and Wesleyan University. He is a freelance journalist and public speaker.Sohaib N. Sultan is available to speak on the following topics:The Qur'an and Its Place in Muslim LifeThe Message of the Qur'anThe Prophet Muhammad: A Spiritual BiographyThe Ethical Way of the Prophet MuhammadThe Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad and Contemporary IssuesJane I. Smith is professor of Islamic studies and co-director of the Macdonald Center for Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. She is co-editor of The Muslim World, a journal dedicated to the study of Islam, and editor of the Islam section of The Encyclopedia of Women in World Religions.Sohaib N. Sultan is the author of The Koran for Dummies. In 2005, he was appointed as the first-ever Muslim chaplain at Yale University and now serves as a Muslim chaplain at Trinity College and Wesleyan University. He is a freelance journalist and public speaker.Sohaib N. Sultan is available to speak on the following topics:The Qur'an and Its Place in Muslim LifeThe Message of the Qur'anThe Prophet Muhammad: A Spiritual BiographyThe Ethical Way of the Prophet MuhammadThe Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad and Contemporary Issues

• ForewordIntroductionA Note on the Translation1. On Contemplation, Reason, and Faith2. On God and Divine Attributes3. On Revelation and Scripture4. On Prophetic Character and Message5. On the Purpose and Responsibility of Human Life6. On the Stages of Human Life7. On the Psyche, Heart, and Soul8. On Spiritual Practice and Discipline9. On Laws in Daily Life10. On Noble Character and Good Morals11. On Envisioning a Just and Moral Society12. On Pluralism, Inclusive Theology, and Interfaith Relations13. On Peace, War, and Reconciliation14. On Women and Gender Relations15. On Marriage and Family LifeAcknowledgmentsNotesSuggestions for Further Reading

"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

Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1872–1953) was a highly respected scholar of Islam from India who also studied in England. As a child, he memorized the entire Qur'an and was an ardent student of early Qur’anic commentaries. He had the distinct honor of serving as vice chancellor of Islamia College in Lahore, Pakistan.Sohaib N. Sultan is the author of The Koran for Dummies. In 2005, he was appointed as the first-ever Muslim chaplain at Yale University and now serves as a Muslim chaplain at Trinity College and Wesleyan University. He is a freelance journalist and public speaker.Sohaib N. Sultan is available to speak on the following topics:The Qur'an and Its Place in Muslim LifeThe Message of the Qur'anThe Prophet Muhammad: A Spiritual BiographyThe Ethical Way of the Prophet MuhammadThe Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad and Contemporary IssuesJane I. Smith is professor of Islamic studies and co-director of the Macdonald Center for Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. She is co-editor of The Muslim World, a journal dedicated to the study of Islam, and editor of the Islam section of The Encyclopedia of Women in World Religions.Sohaib N. Sultan is the author of The Koran for Dummies. In 2005, he was appointed as the first-ever Muslim chaplain at Yale University and now serves as a Muslim chaplain at Trinity College and Wesleyan University. He is a freelance journalist and public speaker.Sohaib N. Sultan is available to speak on the following topics:The Qur'an and Its Place in Muslim LifeThe Message of the Qur'anThe Prophet Muhammad: A Spiritual BiographyThe Ethical Way of the Prophet MuhammadThe Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad and Contemporary Issues

• ForewordIntroductionA Note on the Translation1. On Contemplation, Reason, and Faith2. On God and Divine Attributes3. On Revelation and Scripture4. On Prophetic Character and Message5. On the Purpose and Responsibility of Human Life6. On the Stages of Human Life7. On the Psyche, Heart, and Soul8. On Spiritual Practice and Discipline9. On Laws in Daily Life10. On Noble Character and Good Morals11. On Envisioning a Just and Moral Society12. On Pluralism, Inclusive Theology, and Interfaith Relations13. On Peace, War, and Reconciliation14. On Women and Gender Relations15. On Marriage and Family LifeAcknowledgmentsNotesSuggestions for Further Reading

"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