Table of Contents
Acknowledgements vii
Foreword ix
Part I Introduction 1
A Brief Overview of Islam 9
Can We Avoid Our Existential Questions? 17
Do We Need a Religion? 21
Affirmation by Mind and Heart, Confirmation by Action 25
Part II Faith / Affirmation by Mind and Heart 31
1 Belief in the Oneness of God 35
There is no Deity but God, Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger 35
Tawhid is not Solely Belief 39
Associating Partners with God (Shirk) 45
2 Belief in God's Messengers 49
The Path of God's Messengers (Sunnah) 55
3 Belief in the Scriptures 59
Why Study the Qur'an? 59
How to Approach the Qur'an 67
The Nature of Divine Scriptures 71
Education (Tarbiyah) of the Qur'an 77
4 Belief in the Angels 81
5 Belief in the Day of Judgment and Afterlife 83
6 Belief in Destiny (Qadar) 89
Partial-Freewill (Iradah al-Juz'iyyah) 89
Pre-Determination 93
Part III Worship / Confirmation by Action 101
Purpose of Creation 105
"God Has Created Adam in His Image" 113
Ways Leading to God 117
The Role of Intellect and Heart 119
Thanksgiving (Shukr) 123
Renewing our Faith 131
Disbelief and Satan's Whisperings 137
Significance of Halal and Haram 139
Prayer 145
Fasting 151
Modest Dress and Etiquette (Adab) 159
References 166