The mission of Universal Knowledge Institute (UKI) is to advance knowledge and understanding of the Quran and its historical context for Muslims and others, increase public understanding and awareness of Islam and Muslims, and advance world harmony through sensitivity toward Islam and Muslims. Universal Knowledge Institute was created in 2007 by a small group of concerned individuals for educational purposes as a nonprofit 501C3 organization based in the State of Illinois. We are convinced that knowledge is a powerful element that can promote understanding of Quran, sensitivity toward Islam and Muslims, improve public awareness and increase harmony in the world.

Professor Seema Imam

Dr. Imam believes there is tremendous need to advance world harmony through knowledge and understanding. She strongly believes that in today’s global society a world-class education requires familiarity with the Quran. Similarly, as a founder of Universal Knowledge Institute, Dr. Imam is committed to the notion that we simply cannot as a nation and as a world deny the need for dialogues to take place, that is, dialogue of Muslims with Muslims and Muslims with others.

This contemporary, authoritative translation interprets the Quran’s meaning for the English reader with unprecedented access to the Book that is the foundational source of Islam, its civilization and its peoples, who now comprise nearly one-fourth of humanity across the breadth of all the Earth’s continents and who form a crucial, contiguous community at the middle of the world.

Twenty years in the making, The Gracious Quran: A Modern-Phrased Interpretation of Its Meanings in English is both highly reliable and powerfully expressed. Where the Arabic of the Quran swells with important implication, that intent is conveyed in this rendering with a light hand in unobtrusive brackets, every effort having been expended to make its reading august, clear,...

A New Interpretation And Translation

Professor Ahmad Zaki Hammad is an internationally known authority on Quran and Islamic Studies. He teaches Islamic Civilization and the Primary Disciplines of Quran Commentary, the Prophetic Traditions, and the Principles of Islamic Law at the foremost center of Islamic and Arabic learning in the Muslim world, AL-Azhar University (Faculty of Languages and Translations, Department of English). He is also a member of the Faculty of Shari’ah, Departmentd of Juristic Studies.

He lived for many years in the United States, where he founded and served in numerous national and community Islamic institutions for American Muslims.

The Muslim World Book Review, 30:1, 2009 19
Islamic Thought and Sources
THE GRACIOUS QUR’AN: A MODERN-PHRASED INTERPRETATION IN ENGLISH
Review by: Abdur Raheem Kidwai (Aligarh Muslim University)

It is heartening to note the publication of this new English translation of the Qur’an in that it stands out above the existing ones on several counts. Its chief merit consists in its deep and sincere concern for meeting almost all the needs of the uninitiated English speaking readers of the Qur’an who want to find out what the Qur’an is, what is its message and how best it should be studied.

Reviews

Building high self-esteem in all children will result in a more peaceful and harmonious world. Select from three children’s stories. Living in a diverse society, a world of many people prompts authors to write for Muslim Children and for others to better understand the culture around the Muslim family.

I am Listening is a story for home or class, public or private. It discusses the value of names. It is a cross-cultural story in an American public school class where the 5th grade teacher wears hijab (scarf). Sadia is new to the neighborhood. It is one of the “I AM GOOD BOOK” Series.

This contemporary, authoritative translation interprets the Quran’s meaning for the English reader with unprecedented access to the Book that is the foundational source of Islam, its civilization and its peoples, who now comprise nearly one-fourth of humanity across the breadth of all the Earth’s continents and who form a crucial, contiguous community at the middle of the world.

Twenty years in the making, The Gracious Quran: A Modern-Phrased Interpretation of Its Meanings in English is both highly reliable and powerfully expressed. Where the Arabic of the Quran swells with important implication, that intent is conveyed in this rendering with a light hand in unobtrusive brackets, every effort having been expended to make its reading august, clear, accessible, and consistent while at the same time free of poetic pretension, philosophical complication, and lifeless literalisms.

A New Interpretation And Translation

Gracious Quran Preview

Gracious Quran Preview

Professor Ahmad Zaki Hammad is an internationally known authority on Quran and Islamic Studies. He teaches Islamic Civilization and the Primary Disciplines of Quran Commentary, the Prophetic Traditions, and the Principles of Islamic Law at the foremost center of Islamic and Arabic learning in the Muslim world, AL-Azhar University (Faculty of Languages and Translations, Department of English). He is also a member of the Faculty of Shari’ah, Departmentd of Juristic Studies.

He lived for many years in the United States, where he founded and served in numerous national and community Islamic institutions for American Muslims. READ MORE 1 5 4 3 2 6

Professor Ahmad Zaki Hammad

It is heartening to note the publication of this new English translation of the Qur’an in that it stands out above the existing ones on several counts. Its chief merit consists in its deep and sincere concern for meeting almost all the needs of the uninitiated English speaking readers of the Qur’an who want to find out what the Qur’an is, what is its message and how best it should be studied. READ MORE 1 5 4 3 2 6 “It is no doubt a significant milestone in the series of introducing the Quran to English speaking readers over history, and to my mind is so far the best.” Dr. Hassan Hathout, Los Angeles, California.

“It is an impressive work of scholarship and a truly beautiful and contemporary presentation of this sacred text. Congratulations to Doctor Hammad for bringing this project to completion.” Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. Archbishop of Chicago.

“A wonderful contribution to the body of Islamic knowledge in America.” Salam Al-Marayati, President of MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council) in Los Angeles, California. READ MORE 1 5 4 3 2 6

Professor Seema Imam is faculty in National-Louis University’s Graduate Elementary and Middle Level Teacher Education Program in Chicago and suburbs. She is Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council, and former Chair of the University Faculty Senate.

Dr. Imam believes there is tremendous need to advance world harmony through knowledge and understanding. She strongly believes that in today’s global society a world-class education requires familiarity with the Quran. ...

Professor Seema Imam

A New Interpretation And Translation

Reviews

Introduction

The Universal Knowledge Institute was created in 2007 for educational purposes as a non-profit organization and seeks to advance the comprehension of the Quran as well as the historical context of Quran for Muslims and others while improving public awareness of Islam and Muslims.

Seek Knowledge

Universal Knowledge Institute promotes an opportunity to seek knowledge. In the information age seeking knowledge whether from the Internet, books, or other multi-media sources serves to advance knowledge and understanding of the Quran and its historical context for Muslims and others. The exchange of information may never have been so easy, yet knowledge about Islam and Muslims, more specifically the Quran is less than accurate and permeates the knowledge base worldwide. Muslims in every corner of the world are seeking knowledge of the clear message of the Quran. Muslims believe that the Holy book of Islam is the primary source of Islam and was sent to all of humanity.

Facilitate Understanding

In a time when the mass media or the public curriculum has strewn across the world the consistent theme of negative images and misconceptions of Islam and Muslims, more specifically about the Quran, a new discourse is needed. There is a need for a discourse that facilitates understanding and a deeper comprehension of the Quran for Muslims and others. Through educational efforts to gain knowledge or to correct the misconceptions, concerned people of all faiths open a door of possibility to learn more about one another and facilitate understanding for a better world. We believe that in today’s global society a world-class education requires familiarity with the Quran.

Envision Harmony

Knowledge and understanding have the potential for leading the world toward harmony. Educational discourse between Muslims and others is desirable. Public awareness education has the potential to enhance the image of Islam, Muslims, and the Quran. As the world advances through the information age we must envision harmony and leave a better world for the children of our children. In fact, for Muslims, to envision harmony in the world, and bridge gaps of understanding among neighbors is to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Mohammad. (Peace and blessings be upon him).

To seek knowledge, facilitate understanding and envision harmony, a translation of the Quran for our times, the 21^st century was needed. Now Muslims and others can avail themselves of a translation in modern phrased contemporary English to enter the discourse. Universal Knowledge Institute promotes a new Quran interpretation and translation, a relevant and authoritative rendition, The Gracious Quran, by translation and interpretation Scholar of Quran, Dr. Ahmad Zaki Hammad.This translation was a work of over two decades with intense research to contextualize the content of the Quran by a scholar whose first language was Arabic, a graduate of Al-Azhar University and University of Chicago.

UKI is a nonprofit 501C3 organization. Your donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.