First published in 1922, ‘Notes on Islam’ is written by Sir Ahmed Hussain.
The book talks about Christianity and Islam’s surprisingly similar messages to their adherents. Islam is not the only true religion; it is simply the “best” of the monotheistic religions. The “spirit” of Islam takes precedence over the “letter” as revealed in the Quran. True Islam is not an extremist religion: it is a moderate religion, seeking the mean between two extremes. Hussain contrasts pure Islam with Muhammadanism, which he says has “forgotten the spirit of Islam and remembers only the letter of its law.” Islam is not a static faith but one that seeks truth not only in past doctrines but in the discoveries of science and philosophy.
It is intended as a guide for people of the faith, which is also an important resource for anyone seeking insight into this religion whose growing presence in our lives lends urgency to our understanding of its true nature.