---
product_id: 55584250
title: "Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam - An Introductory Selection of Readings from the Quran (Revised) (Revised)"
brand: "thomas cleary"
price: "¥7665"
currency: JPY
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/55584250-essential-koran-the-heart-of-islam-an-introductory-selection-readings
store_origin: JP
region: Japan
---

# Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam - An Introductory Selection of Readings from the Quran (Revised) (Revised)

**Brand:** thomas cleary
**Price:** ¥7665
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam - An Introductory Selection of Readings from the Quran (Revised) (Revised) by thomas cleary
- **How much does it cost?** ¥7665 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/55584250-essential-koran-the-heart-of-islam-an-introductory-selection-readings)

## Best For

- thomas cleary enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted thomas cleary brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam - An Introductory Selection of Readings from the Quran (Revised) (Revised)

## Images

![Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam - An Introductory Selection of Readings from the Quran (Revised) (Revised) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71dZrw3m1OL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Excellent translation from credible academic
  

*by S***R on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 May 2020*

Excellent book, weather your Muslim or not, it's an unbiased translation from a credible western academic, a must read to get an incite into what Muslims are all talking about.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Words of the prophet
  

*by K***K on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2003*

In this continuation of the Essentials series, Thomas Cleary presents a basic introduction to the Koran.Koran (Qur'an, in some transliterations) literally means 'reading' or 'recitation'. According to Islamic tradition, the Koran is a spiritually revealed book, in the way Torah was revealed to Moses or the Gospel message was revealed to Jesus. Connecting to these earlier voices of the same God, the Koran also serves as a clarifier, a standard. The prophet Muhammad, born about year 570, orphaned early, led a fairly unremarkable life until about age 40, when he had a revelation, which his wife was perhaps first to recognise.This is a work in English; it is an article of faith among Muslims that the Koran cannot be truly translated into any language apart from the classical Arabic in which it was revealed. There is a fundamental difference between Arabic (or, more precisely, semitic) language and western languages. While all of the Koran is sacred for Muslims, there are portions which are more understandable and accessible to the Western reader; Cleary has assembled these together here.'Arabic, most precise and primitive of the Semitic languages, shows signs of being originally a constructed language. It is built up upon mathematical principles--a phenomenon not paralleled by any other language.'Given this view of the language, there are extensive notes throughout Cleary's translation to try to clarify some of the linguistic elements that are lost in translation.'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the MercifulAll praise belongs to God,Lord of all worlds,the Compassionate, the Merciful,Ruler of Judgment Day.It is You that we worship,and to You we appeal for help.Show us the straight way,the way of those You have graced,not of those on whom is Your wrath,nor of those who wander astray.'This is the opening of the Koran.The Koran and Islamic tradition holds that there have been 128,000 prophets, who have in their turn revealed 104 Books. The Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Koran are the four most important books according to the Muslim point of view. Theologically, Islam is not exclusionist, and recognises the validity of revelation that has come before (even if not recognising that current practice retains the authority of that validity).As a priest, I recall the lines'People of the Book,do not go to excessin your religion,and do not say of Godanything but truth.'The prophet Muhammad would get irritated if a prayer leader would stretch things out to the discomfort of the attenders.'The Messiahdoes not disdainto be a servant of God,and neither do the intimate angels.As for those who disdainthe worship of Godand who aggrandize themselves,God will gatherall of them up.'In the search for pure truth, the Koran gives insight.'Say,"It is God, Unique,God the Ultimate.God does not reproduceand is not reproduced.And there is nothing at allequivalent to God."'Philosophy, history, sometimes confusing but mystically-deepening insights are all presented here. Cleary mostly allows the text of the Koran to stand for itself, without analysis, to allow the spirit to speak directly to the reader. More commentary and historical grounding for the non-Muslim reader would be niceVarious parts of the Koran were revealed in different places, and Cleary takes account of this in his organisation. Also, headings allow one to follow lines of thought, but it sometimes takes some real study and meditation to figure out the connexions.Spend some time with these writings, and approach it with an open mind and heart, holding fast to your own beliefs, to see what new light might be shed upon them.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    hamza yusuf recomanded
  

*by K***K on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2005*

I would never heard of Thomas Cleary. I came accross him from Hamza Yusuf lecture, this is the book he recommended to all foreigners as a begginers in Islam.It is translated brilliantly, with detailed expalnation of selected Koranic verses.Very interesting

## Frequently Bought Together

- The Essential Koran: Heart of Islam, The
- The Wisdom of the Prophet

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.jp/products/55584250-essential-koran-the-heart-of-islam-an-introductory-selection-readings](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/55584250-essential-koran-the-heart-of-islam-an-introductory-selection-readings)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Japan*
*Store origin: JP*
*Last updated: 2026-01-31*