Often, the first thing someone is asked when they discover the truth and embrace Islam is the question: Why Islam? Here, an American revert-to-Islam answers that question. The author, K. Sherman, writes: The beauty of Islam is probably the best-kept secret in modern times; it is about time it was revealed. This is the sentiment of a majority of people who are discovering the truth about Islam every day. My first exposure to the religion was through a perusal of a fifty-page booklet titled Towards Understanding Islam (written in 1932). It explained to me everything that twenty years of life and fifteen years of education could not. After the initial sense of relief, I suddenly felt cheated. I was consumed with rage. Why? I could not fathom how people could know about this phenomenal way of life and not speak out and inform others. This book is my personal take on the beauty of Islam, backed up by relevant and authentic references. I am convinced that humanity direly needs it and it is my duty to speak out.

With black and white photos, written by an American Muslim, this work presents a brief yet comprehensive survey of the basic teachings on the significance of Islam's central concept, faith in and submission to God. American Muslim author Suzanne Haneef also offers here an excellent insights and explanations about Islam and Muslims. The most common questions asked of Muslims are answered in a straightforward style, neither apologetic nor defensive. It introduces the reader to how Muslims feel about various aspects of life, how they worship, and how Muslims living in the West practice their religion. Simple language makes it an easy read for anyone interested in learning more about Islam and comparative religion. The author grew up a devout Christian and later discovered Islam through contact with Muslims and extensive reading. She is active in the field of Islamic education and has traveled widely in the Muslim world. This book is the result of thirty years of studying and living Islam. This book is highly recommended.

In Understanding Islam, Dr. Dirks offers a timely and factually correct alternative to understanding Islam. It is written for the Western, and primarily Christian reader. The primary focus of the book is on what is termed Sunni Islam, i.e., the Islam practiced by approximately 85-90% of the self-professed Muslims in the world. The book is unique in several respects. It treats Islam from its own point of view. It is written by a natural-born American for the Western reader, and thus may avoid some of the cultural overlay that accompanies some books on Islam written by other Muslim authors. The author is an American who has practiced Islam both while living in America and in the Middle East, thus offering a broader perspective than would have otherwise been possible. As a convert from Christianity to Islam, and as a former ordained minister within Christianity, the author does a very good job of expounding the commonalities and contrasts of Islam with Judaism and Christianity, while still avoiding the temptation to distort Islam by interpreting it from within a Judaeo-Christian perspective. The reader is introduced to Islam almost exclusively through the two primary sources of Islam, i.e., the Qur'an and the sunnah, which are the only completely authoritative sources on Islam.

Al-Basheer was a magazine dedicated to Islamic sciences. It was published from 1987 to 1995. During that time, it developed a small but very loyal following.

The articles contained in this volume come from the first two years of al-Basheer. Among the numerous articles contained herein are: “Allah’s Description of the Hypocrites,” “Between Islam and Kufr,” “Islam and Innovations (I): The Meaning of Bidah,” “There is no Compulsion in the Religion,” “Daily Congregational Prayers and Combining the Prayers,” “Zakaat and Jewelry,” “Abu Hurairah: A preserver of the Sunnah,” “The Importance of Jihad in the Life of a Muslim,” and “The Importance of the Sunnah and Hadith in Islam.”

These articles have been in great demand and it is hoped that their publication in book form will ease access to them on a large scale.

Struggling to Surrender: Some Impressions of an American Convert to Islam is a very personal account of one man's search for God and meaning in the midst of a culture that places no value on such a quest. Dr. Lang was brought up as a Catholic and educated in a Catholic school. However, one day he found that his religious beliefs could no longer provide satisfactory answers to his questions. And so his quest began: reason, agnosticism, atheism, and, finally "coincidence"—a chance encounter with a Muslim student in one of his classes that eventually led to his conversion. As he soon found out, however, this was not the end of the matter, for now he had to fit in with his new community, its beliefs and traditions, and the Islamic worldview and lifestyle. For American Muslims, most of whom come from a Judeo-Christian background and a mental framework that is almost totally alien to that of a traditional Muslim, this is no easy feat. How does one deal with demands for the blind acceptance of hadeeth and accepted interpretations, the gulf between what the Qur'an says and the reality of Muslim life, the "status" of women, the presence of religion in every sphere of one's life, cultural conflicts, and many other issues? Ever since his conversion, Dr. Lang has struggled to answer these questions for himself. At the request of numerous Muslim acquaintances, he decided to write about his experiences so that other American and western-educated Muslims could benefit from his insights.

Path to Wisdom: A Guidance for Humanity focuses on the various aspects of human existence through the eyes of Muslim thinkers and writers of the past. It urges the reader to reflect upon their inner and outer existence and subsequently live a more aware and meaningful life, with a deeper consciousness of God, themselves and the world around them. It begins from the essence of human nature itself: "Reflection" and takes the reader on a journey through a range of human experiences, ending in "Death". It asks only that in the modern world of materialism and instant gratification, the reader chooses a more reflective and self-aware path. Through the range of Muslim thinkers used, the book seeks to establish that Islam is rich with wisdom that has often been acquired through intense study and soul-searching. Furthermore, it argues that the acquisition of such wisdom is within the reach of all of us via our own journeys through life, with a little help from our predecessors.

This first volume of Presenting Islam in the West sets out to present the methodology of the call to Allah (ad-da'wah ila Allah) based on the Qur'an and sunnah. The one calling to Islam only calls to what he knows: "Invite all to the way of your Lord (Islam) with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and reason with them in the best possible way (to convince them of the truth)." [Surah Nahl 16:125]. The caller gives information, and Allah decides who becomes Muslim. Articles are included from many referenced sources. The caller's relationship to his listeners should be like that of a doctor and a patient; thus, a seed once planted may become a tree of eman with careful nurturing over time, insha'Allah.

This translation of "Khutabat" covers themes such as Iman, Islam, the prayer, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage and Jihad.