SOURCE: Thomas Cleary, in an introduction to The Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam, Harper, San Francisco, 1993, pp. vii-xvii.

In this introduction to selected, translated readings from the Koran, Cleary discusses the beliefs of Muslims about their holy book. He focuses particularly on the relationship between faith and reason and surveys Muhammad's role in the compilation of the book.

The Qur'an is universally known as the sacred book of Islam, the religion of submission to the will of God.…

The Qur'an is undeniably a book of great importance even to the non-Muslim, perhaps more today than ever, if that is possible. One aspect of Islam that is unexpected and yet appealing to the post-Christian secular mind is the harmonious interplay of faith and reason. Islam does not demand unreasoned belief. Rather, it invites intelligent faith, growing from observation, reflection, and contemplation, beginning with nature and what is all...