Contents

Author’s Foreword: Who should read the work and why? ............. xiii

Acknowledgements ..................................................... xix

Introduction ................................................................... 1

Chapter 1. Perennial Islam: A Quran Based Paradigm ................... 5

•Introductory Remarks

•Regard and Reverence for the Prophet

•The Theory of Conceptual Evolution

•Religion and Human Life

•What is Perennial Islam

Chapter 2. The Quran as a Revealed Book: Some Issues .............. 21

•Introductory Remarks

•The Nature and Process of Revelation

•The Structure of the Quran

•The Collection of the Quran

Chapter 3. The Semantics of the Quran: Some Basic Aspects ....... 33

•Introductory Remarks

•Different Functions of Quranic Verses;

•Different Styles of Expression of Quranic Verses

•Mystique of the Quran

•Conclusion

Chapter 4. The Vision of the Quran: Selected Texts .................... 65

•Introductory Remarks

•Core of the Quranic Vision

•Selected Quranic Texts

Chapter 5. The Piety of the Quran: Selected Texts ...................... 99

•Introductory Remarks

•Core of the Quranic Piety

•Selected Texts from the Quran

Chapter 6. The Injunctions of the Quran ................................. 115

•Introductory Remarks

•The Distinction between Intrinsic Values and Instrumental Rules

•The Quranic Approach to Gender Justice

•Candid Reflections on Some Practical Issues

Chapter 7. The Perennial Message of the Quran and the
      Human Situation .................................................. 137

•Introductory Remarks

•The Quranic Message in Capsule Form

•A Believer’s Response to the Message

•Concluding Reflections

Afterword ................................................................... 153

Notes and References: ................................................ 159

Annotated Glossary of Key Concepts .................................. 227

Resources .................................................................. 233

Index of Names .......................................................... 237

Index of Subjects ....................................................... 259

Jamal Khwaja and His Works ...................................... 265