Studying the Qur'an in the Muslim Academy examines what it is like to study and teach the Qur'an at academic institutions in the Muslim world, and how politics affect scholarly interpretations of the text. Guided by the author's own journey as a student, university lecturer, and researcher in Iran, Malaysia, and New Zealand, this book provides vivid accounts of the complex academic politics he encountered. Majid Daneshgar describes the selective translation and editing of Edward Said's classic work Orientalism into various Islamic languages, and the way Said's work is weaponized to question the credibility of contemporary Western-produced scholarship in Islamic studies. Daneshgar also examines networks of journals, research centers, and universities in both Sunni and Shia contexts, and looks at examples of Quranic interpretation there. Ultimately, he offers a constructive program for enriching Islamic studies by fusing the best of Western theories with the best philological practices developed in Muslim academic contexts, aimed at encouraging respectful but critical engagement with the Qur'an.

The very first pillar of our faith is Tawheed. It goes without saying then that this pillar must therefore be of the utmost importance. Yet if we speak to children and ask them about the 5 pillars of Islam they will probably be able to tell us more about fasting and salah than Tawheed. To them Tawheed means you believe in Allah and the last messenger, Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). It is a simple statement that is correct, but a simple statement that has a lot of meaning behind it. When we build a house we will start by laying a line of bricks in a row. Upon this row we will layer the other bricks on top. If after building a wall, we removed some of the bricks in the first row, the house would come tumbling down. Tawheed is just like that first layer of bricks on a house that is supporting all the other layers. If the foundation of our faith is built strongly, then the rest of our actions and deeds will be sound. But if our Tawheed is weak in understanding and application, then this will affect the validity of all our actions. This is why it is so significant for children (and adults) to understand what it means by the word Tawheed; so that they can understand what it contains and increase their knowledge and relationship with Allah. The more they know about Allah, the more they will love Allah. This book has been designed to introduce children to the concept of Tawheed and explain to them more about their Creator. It is hoped that this will help all children understand their Creator better and increase their relationship with Him.