This classic book was first published in 1937 by Maulana Abul A’la Maududi. It gives a comprehensive view of Islam for a meaningful and spiritually rewarding journey through this life.
In addition, it explains the rational bases of Islamic beliefs and unveils the wisdom behind the Islamic modes of worship and way of life. The aim of this book is to satisfy the intellectual cravings of Muslim youth and help non-Muslims come closer to understanding the Islamic worldview.
Originally published in Urdu, this beloved book has been translated into Arabic, Hindi, Bengali, Gujrati, Sindhi, Tamil, Turkish, Japanese, and French languages. Realizing its importance for the English-speaking public, the late Dr. Abdul Ghani translated it into English in 1940. In addition, most schools and colleges of the Indo-Pak sub-continent adopted it as a textbook of theology and integrated it into their official curriculum.
Chapter 1: The Meaning of Islam
Islam — What does it Mean? – The Nature of Disbelief – The Blessings of Islam
Chapter 2 – Faith and Obedience
Faith — What does it Mean? – How to Acquire the Knowledge of God? – Faith in the Unknown
Chapter 3 – The Prophethood
Prophethood: Its Nature and Necessity – Brief History of Prophethood – The Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW) – Muhammad’s Prophethood: A Rational Vindication – Arabia, the Abyss of Darkness – The Saviour is Born – Diamond in a Heap of Stones – A Revolution Comes – Why all that Enmity? – A Changed Man at Forty — Why? – His All-embracing Message – His Contribution to Human Thought – The Greatest Revolutionary – The Final Testimony – The Finality of Prophethood
Chapter 4 – The Articles of Faith
Tawheed: Faith in the Unique – Oneness of God – The Meaning of the Shahaadah – Effects of Tawheed on Human Life – Belief in God’s Angels – Faith in the Books of God – Faith in God’s Prophets – Belief in Life after Death – The Need for this Belief – Life After Death: A Rational Vindication
Chapter 5 & 6 – Prayer and Worship
Prayer and Worship – The Spirit of ‘Ibaadah or Worship – Salaah – Fasting – Zakaah – Hajj or Pilgrimage – Defence of Islam – Jihaad – Chapter 6: Deen and Sharee’ah – Distinction between Deen and Sharee’ah – The Sources of Sharee’ah – Fiqh
The Sharee’ah: Its Nature and Purport – The Shari’ah: Rights and Obligations – The Rights of God – The Rights of One’s Own Self – The Rights of Other People – The Rights of All Creatures – The Sharee’ah: The Universal and Eternal Law
