An introduction to the sacred text of Islam. The author examines the recurrent themes of life and eternity; marriage and divorce; peace and war; water and nourishment; and sets these in the context of the Qu'ran's linguistic style. He examines the background to the development of the surahs (chapters) and the ayahs (verses) and the construction of the Qu'ran itself. He also shows that popular conceptions of Islamic attitudes to women, marriage and divorce, war and society, differ radically from the true teachings of the Qu'ran. This work is intended for students of Islam and comparative religion, and for readers interested in a Qu'ranic perspective when considering contemporary issues.