Islam and its World
Islam is the world’s second largest religion with 1.8 billion followers and a majority presence in 49 countries. It is related to Judaism and Christianity in its foundation as a Abrahamic faith, but it considers itself the completed and universal version of a faith that had been historically set forth by Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. The Qur’an, the unaltered and final revelation of God, is its scripture, its holy book. Details of the faith itself may be found in some of the introductory books we carry.
That said, Islam is also an intriguing historical religion. Its rise in Arabia in the 7th Century (Common Era - it is important to remember that, as with the Jews and many other cultures around the world, calendars are self-defined), its engine of power for the spread of Islamic Civilization across the Middle East, the Mediterranean World, and into Africa and Asia — all are crucial to understanding world history. Islam’s love of science and scholarship, its provocative theories of history, its art and literature — all are deep and complex and rewarding areas of study and commentary.
Islam is also caught up in the high passions and politics of contemporary times. An international web of resources, imperialism, colonialism, nationalism, and shifting alliances keep Islam ever before all peoples. Being a bookseller, I believe the more information, carefully chosen, the better. Hence this page, my gathering of books already stocked here at the store, and as always, a reflection of my paths of understanding Islam.
The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an
The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an
The best in English translation, quality of print
and not least the price" – Book Review, January 25, 2001
HIGHLIGHTS:
– Arabic numerals replace Roman numerals.
– Surah names transliterated.
– Juz’ division markers included.
– Arabic text in Madinah script, newly reset and improved.
– More appropriate Islamic terminology used throughout, e.g., “Allah” instead of “God” and “Messenger” replaces “Apostle”.
– New reset type with updated spelling and transliteration.
– Extensive running commentary revised and clarified to avoid misinterpretation.
About the Translator
On April 4, 1872, ‘Abdullah Yusuf ‘A1i was born in a family of the Bohra community in Surat, India. His father, a merchant, was a very religious man who made sure that his son learned Qur’an before anything else. Upon the completion of young ‘Abdullah’s committing the entire Qur’an to memory, his father celebrated the occasion with a grand banquet, thus showing to his son the importance of his achievement and the importance of the Qur’an. In addition to studying contemporary knowledge at school, ‘Abdullah continued to receive lessons in Arabic language and never ceased in his studies of the Qur’an. He was a superior student who excelled in academic achievement and won the much coveted Indian Civil Service Award, a prestigious honor resulting from the extremely competitive entrance examinations for high positions in the Indian Civil Service which wealthy families would aspire for their sons to receive. ‘Abdullah was easily able to absorb English literature and was considered to be among the best of his fellow countrymen in writing English. Many of the most well-known scholarly magazines in India published his works and expressed their appreciation for his beautiful literary style. Later, ‘Abdullah Yusuf 'Ali left India for Europe and visited many European capitals and eventually resided in London for a considerable period of time.
While in London, he was exposed to many translations of the Qur’an and continued to have a tremendous interest in it and its studies. He then began to closely study the Qur’an giving special attention to its various interpretations, both old and new. After studying what was written about the Qur’an in both European and Eastern languages, he returned to India and took up new residence in Lahore where he became the Dean of the Islamic College. He then began his monumental work of translating and commenting on the Qur’an which after three full years of work was completed on his 65th birthday.
‘Abdullah Yusuf ‘Ali later died in London on December 10, 1953.