Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page vii
vii Foreword Essence of the Qur’ a n was written by Malik Ghulam Farid (1897 to 1977) to provide an overview of the message of the Qur’ a n and its implications for the body of believers. Within the book, which was penned in 1977, Farid analyzes each chapter of the Qur’ a n, providing the historical context and background surrounding the events recorded therein. He also presents a summary of the content in the sequence it appears. Farid tailored this treatise for the non-Arabic speaker who cannot gain a full appreciation of the depth of the Qur’an from reading its literal translation. It is a commendable effort that simplifies the cultural, linguistic, and theological intricacies which abound throughout the Qur’an. We recommend Essence of the Qur’ a n as a supplementary resource for Western audiences seeking a deeper understanding of the Qur’ a n, without the need to delve into the details of a commentary. al- Ha j Munir-ud-Din Shams Additional Wak i l-ut-Ta s n i f