The Qur'an and Islam

Jamal A. Nasir was born into the religion of Islam, so his belief in God is rooted in this upbringing. His first awareness to the vastness of the message of the Qur'an began at age fifteen when he approached his father about joining him to read the book every morning during the month of Ramadan. After continuing this ritual year after year from this point forward, he slowly began to realize that the Qur'an is attempting to touch the lives of everyone on the planet - and not just those that profess to be Muslim or declare Islam as their religion. For his own satisfaction, he began putting together what he called a "notebook of reference" to which he could circle back to when the time called for it. In a methodical and categorical way, he gradually added to these notes over the years. The idea of this compilation becoming a book did not cross his mind until he realized he had been placing added material in certain sections - sort of like a study guide. It was in this experience he became acutely aware that the Qur'an absolutely speaks to humankind rather than a Muslim population. What Jamal was striving for was a study guide for himself - that ultimately turned out to be a fascinating study guide for all to reference.