The Religion of the Koran

What It's About

The Religion of the Koran is a short entry in the Wisdom of the East series, first published around 1911. It offers a compact introduction to Islam for English readers of the era, weaving together short explanatory chapters with topical extracts from the Qur'an, drawn from E. H. Palmer's earlier translation.

Key Concepts

The book moves through the central pillars and beliefs of Islam, including the unity of God, the role of Muhammad as prophet, resurrection, paradise and hell, angels and jinn, predestination, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca. It also touches on social and legal matters addressed in the Qur'an, such as marriage and divorce, usury, and the treatment of orphans.

About the Author

Arthur Naylor Wollaston (1842–1922) was an English civil servant and orientalist who spent almost his entire career at the India Office in London, joining at sixteen and rising to become Registrar and Superintendent of Records. He was knighted for his service and was recognised as a scholar of Persian and Islamic subjects.