Many do not realize that Islam is the second largest religion in the world and the fastest growing religion in the West.  It very easy for us to stereo-type Islam and Muslims as one static group of people.  But in reality, Muslims from China to America are very diverse and there cultures not akin to each other.  Nevertheless, they all share the common thread of the religion of Islam.  In this light, it is easy to confuse culture for religion, as many do.  This section is to help develop a general understanding of Islam and Muslims.

 

What the Quran says about Itself

basic beliefs Muslims hold about the Qur'an

Miracles of the Qur'an

discusses some core miracles of the Qur'an

The Preservation of the Original Teachings of Islam

How the Qur'an was preserved and remains unchanged through time

History of the Qur'an

the Qur'an as one of the revealed books

The Meanings of the Holy Qur'an by Abdallah Yusuf Ali

A wonderful exegesis of the Qur'an

Meanings of the Qur'an by Marmaduke Pickthall

another wonderful exegesis of the Qur'an

The Interpretation of the Qur'an

an excerpt from "Dictionary of Islam" by Thomas Patrick Hughes (c) 1886. Deals with many basic concepts dealing with studying Qur'an, such as its interpretation, inspiration, collation, division, and opinions of European writers on the Qur'an.

The Message of the Qur'an by Athar Husain

an abridged translation of the Qur'an

The Meaning of 'Traditions'

an excerpt from the "Dictionary of Islam" by Thomas Patrick Hughes discussing the term hadith or 'Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)'

On Death and Dying

a letter written by the sufi Shaykh Najibuddin Firduasi to his student Makhdum al-Mulk Sharafuddin bin Yahya Maneri on death and dying

Thankfulness

an article by Abdalhaqq Bewley