QUR’ĀN – THE ULTIMATE GUIDANCE TO MANKIND
Pages: 63
Price: ` 70
THE MESSENGER OF PEACE
Pages: 147
Price: ` 120
Year: 2011
Board of Islamic Publications, D-307, Abul Fazl Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi – 110 025 INDIA
Reviewed by DR. WAQUAR ANWAR
Board of Islamic Publications has restarted its publications activity. Two of its publications are out in market, namely: Qur’ān – The Ultimate Guidance to Mankind; and The Messenger of Peace. These are collections of articles on the topics from special issues of Radiance Viewsweekly, the periodical published by the Board.
Qur’ān – The Ultimate Guidance to Mankind is a collection of ten articles besides a preface describing the object of the book. The preface rightly asserts that the Qur’ān is the Last Book of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) for the guidance of man. This position needs to be reiterated. The very first article refers to the Book as the last hope of mankind. It is the final, the most updated and the latest version of the Divine Guidance from the Lord of this cosmos. As it is free from any ambiguity and from any kind of human innovation, it prepares man to deliver justice to all and in every phase of life.
An article titled ‘Scientific Miracles of the Qur’ān’ carries several scientific developments which are in conformity with the Qur’ān described more than fourteen hundred years ago. This is a testimony and clear proof of the divine revelation of the Qur’ān. No human effort can hold good for so long a period. Not a single scientific invention and development can be cited which is in clash with what the Qur’ān has revealed. Examples cited and described in the book include the Expanding Universe, Creation in Pairs, the Creation of Mountains and Barriers between Seas.
A very important feature of the Qur’ān is that it is safe from adulterations. It is available in the form it was revealed to the Prophet. This fact and other related features of the Holy Book have been described in an interview with a renowned scholar of the Qur’ān.
The last article is significant as it elaborates the first chapter of the Qur’ān, surah Fatiha. Titled ‘A Prayer for Guidance’, it is a moving article and a must-read write-up. The last lines of the article (and of the collection of articles) are worth quoting: “The divinity of the book is reinforced by the historicity of Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s blessings and peace be to him) to whom the Qur’ān was revealed. All aspects of his life as Allah’s messenger are documented in a matter which is our pride and historians’ envy. The Qur’ān was the key to his spectacular success and is the key to our salvation.”
The Messenger of Peace is a collection of twenty-three articles on the topic besides a preface describing the purpose of compiling these articles in a book form. The special issue of Radiance Viewsweekly under the title was very popular and the demand for making the articles in a book form poured in. The underlying message in the book can be understood through the few lines written by one author as under.
“World peace is a possibility. It is no utopia. Nor is it a mirage or hallucination. It is obviously not a day-dream. There is only one proviso. Man must accept Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be to him) as the Saviour, which he is undoubtedly.”
The book is successful in presenting the life and teachings of the Prophet as the apostle of peace and it clears the misgivings popularised in the society by the group of men who have vested interests in creating discord in society.
Misinformation is the root cause of misgivings. The efforts by the Board of Islamic Publications for disseminating correct information through its above referred to two books should be encouraged and appreciated.