A Courteous Approach to Qur'an

"The Qur'an addresses most issues that concern human beings with constant references to the ultimate Reality and Truth. Considerable emphasis is given to relative time and human concerns on earth and the connection between the inseparability of the relative and the Absolute. The Qur'an emphasises that anything that exists or happens is due to God and equally emphasises human responsibility to act and live with clear accountability to God. The main difference between other traditions and religions at the time of the Prophet Muhammad is the perplexing notion that, in truth, there is only God, and all else are shadows in this Light. To understand the Qur'an and use it as a template, this brief background is necessary. This booklet presents extracts from talks I have given on the subject, arranged in six themes: Context and Action, the Self, Understanding, Transformation, Awakening and lastly Oneness and Balance." From the introduction by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri