Publisher's Synopsis
Islam is pure monotheism unsupported by any kind of symbolism or forms of appeal to the emotions of the common man. Its two basic principles are unity of God and unity of man. It says the word of God is Quran and the work of God is nature. This book deals with the first seven verses of Quran regarded as soul and spirit, sum and substance of Quran. The main concepts elaborated here are Divinity, Creativity, Peace, Mercy, Love, Justice and Guidance. This work is from the pen of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad whom Bertrand Russell has characterized as the second wisest man on earth after Socrates. He has surveyed here the spiritual domain of all great religions of the world to bring home the sublimity of God. He calls this Surah Fateha (Introductory Chapter) of seven verses as Mother of Quran, the invaluable treasure, the key to entire knowledge and the obligatory part of Namaz (Prayer). It is the beginning and end of Quran. Its first verse, "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful," is repeated in all the 114 Surahs. Its importance lies in the fact that it stresses right concept of God, belief in resurrection, prayer for righteous path and humble submission for mercy and benevolence. Quran says, "If you count for favours of God, never will you be able to number them." In short, this Surah confirms God is the Creator and Cherisher of the entire universe and all living beings. It prompts man not to belong to any race or nation or group but to be a part of world brotherhood. It guides man to observe laws of nature where nothing exists for itself, and everything is for everything else. Dr.B. Sheil Ali Former Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore & Goa Universities
