By Thomas Cleary
This collection of readings from the Quran is designed to help non-Muslim Westerners approach this sacred book and savor something of its amazing power through a selection of chapters and verses encapsulating some of its central ideas and essential beauties. A “rosary of readings and recitations,” the excerpts chosen represent the “six aims” of the Quran (which range from knowledge of God to refutations of unbelievers’ arguments), all of which point to the need for intelligent, considered faith in order for humans to come to a true knowledge of God.