Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most important innovators of the century, Tariq Ramadan is a leading Muslim scholar, with a large following especially among young European and American Muslims. Now, in his first book written for a wide audience, he offers a marvelous biography of the Prophet Muhammad, one that highlights the spiritual and ethical teachings of one of the most influential figures in human history. In the Footsteps of the Prophet is a fresh and perceptive look at Muhammad, capturing a life that was often eventful, gripping, and highly charged. Ramadan provides both an intimate portrait of a man who was shy, kind, but determined, as well as a dramatic chronicle of a leader who launched a great religion and inspired a vast empire. More important, Ramadan presents the main events of the Prophet's life in a way that highlights his spiritual and ethical teachings. The book underscores the significance of the Prophet's example for some of today's most controversial issues, such as the treatment of the poor, the role of women, Islamic criminal punishments, war, racism, and relations with other religions. Selecting those facts and stories from which we can draw a profound and vivid spiritual picture, the author asks how can the Prophet's life remain -- or become again -- an example, a model, and an inspiration? And how can Muslims move from formalism -- a fixation on ritual -- toward a committed spiritual and social presence? In this thoughtful and engaging biography, Ramadan offers Muslims a new understanding of Muhammad's life and he introduces non-Muslims not just to the story of the Prophet, but to the spiritual and ethical riches of Islam.

This eleventh edition was developed during the encyclopaedia's transition from a British to an American publication. Some of its articles were written by the best-known scholars of the time and it is considered to be a landmark encyclopaedia for scholarship and literary style.

`` Behold all that is around you on earth: things, plants, insects, animals, birds and fishes…. Don't you see that they have accurate systems governing and guiding their life? Behold all that is above you in space: sun, moon, planets, stars, clouds, wind…etc., are not they all functioning properly and accurately and rendering valuable services to our life on earth? Think of yourself, of your organs, of your numerous and efficient body systems, how they are cooperatively functioning to secure healthful life for you! 5. Who created all these fantastic things? Who established their accurate systems? Who is controlling this huge and complicated universe? 6. No one dared so far to claim creating, or being able to create, any single thing, even a hair!! The Creator and The Sustainer of all these creatures is One only; if there were more than one there would have been confusion in the heavens and the earth! That One is Allah (the Only true God). It is very logical, then, to acknowledge this fact, to know our Creator and Provider, to be grateful to Him and to submit ourselves and our life to His Wise and Merciful Guidance. Our Creator has endowed us with intellect to understand, and with freedom to choose the right path. Allah has showed us the right path through His Messengers sealed by Muhammad, and His Books completed by Al-Qur’an. In front of us there are two ways: One is leading to bliss in this life and in the Hereafter, that is Islam. The other is leading to misery and loss in this world, and to eternal punishment in the Hereafter. Choice is in our hands, what are we going to choose? May Allah guide us into the Right Path! Amen! ``

This book is for those individuals who do not have sufficient time to study religion but would like to learn the basic tenets of Islam. The focus of this book is on "haqooq ul ibad," or a Muslim's duties toward humankind. Becoming a good practicing Muslim means becoming a good human being. This book is also a "Code of conduct" that highlights some basic principles of Islam that serve as a guide to daily life affairs.

Progress in biomedical science has called for an international discussion of the medical, ethical, and legal problems that confront physicians, medical researchers, infertile couples, pregnant women, and parents of premature or disabled infants. In addition, the unprecedented technological developments in obstetrical, perinatal, and neonatal medicine in recent years have indicated a need for an international forum for interdisciplinary dialogue regarding the definition of early human life, the neurological development of early human life, the value of early human life, the obligations for its protection and prolongation, and the limits to these obligations.