Heart of the Koran (Quest Book) [Paperback]

Lex Hixon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Quest Book | Publication Date: October 25, 1988

Modern meditation on Islam's Koran in free English prose. Companion video.

Product Details

• Paperback: 267 pages
• Publisher: Quest Books; 1st edition (October 25, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835606368
• ISBN-13: 978-0835606363
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,143,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mystic's Meditations on the Holy Quran, January 1, 2001

By 

Netman1 (Between Here and There) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heart of the Koran (Quest Book) (Paperback)

An excellent book written with love and insight.

In order to make the decision whether or not to buy this book, it's important to understand what it is and what it is not.

First of all, it is not a translation of the Quran. Nor is it strictly speaking "tafsir" - explanatory commentary which accompanies the Quranic text in the form of "footnotes". Rather it is a series of interpretative meditations on selected verses from the Quran (not all the verses) - which take the form of recasting the verses themselves.

Second, it was written with a particular "non traditional" perspective. While Lex Hixon was trained as a scholar in comparative religions with a Ph. D from Columbia, this is really not the critical factor in the construction and value of the book. Rather it is his background as a mystic, expressed in one form through his membership in the Havleti-Jerrahi Sufi Order - of which he became a Sheikh, though it is clear from other of his works that Hixon was comfortable in other traditions. (Please note this is not meant to imply that Hixon was not Muslim. He is clearly very committed to Islam both in the book and in his life).

Typically mystics understand their faith through direct experience of the Divine rather than through scholastic or philosophic reasoning. As a result, mystics often express their insights in forms which are disturbing to more traditional minded of their co-religionists. For example, Hixon states that Hell is not an eternal punishment, but rather a transitory cleansing state. There are other of his views which may be equally disturbing to his co-religionists who will have an equal commitment and love for Islam but approach it from another non mystical viewpoint.

The point of all this is that if you are looking for a close translation of the Quran or a description of "orthodox" Islam then this is probably not the book for you.

If, however, you are interested in understanding the mystic strand within Islam, then this is definitely the book. Hixon writes with great love for Islam and with great insight. It would be useful to read this book in conjunction with his work. "Coming Home the Experience of Enlightenment in Sacred Traditions" to see how the mystic experience cuts across various religious traditions.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a mystical answer to my prayer, January 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart of the Koran (Quest Book) (Paperback)

I have been on a powerful spiritual journey for about 10 years now, at least that I noticed consciously. I was born a Muslim, but in my intellectual stage of growth became somewhat agnostic. God however had other ideas for me, and in sometimes subtle, sometimes astounding ways He has not only proven his existence to me but has continually blessed me with pointing me toward readings which answer my questions at the time of asking. This book came to me when I was feeling like God's laws didn't make sense anymore. I had been watching Oprah,and Gary Zukav was on speaking about things and said :we were not here to be judged, but to learn and grow. THis was very unsettling to me because it was conflicting with what I was taught, but it resonated so much within me. I was in spiritual crisis of sorts. Shortly after stewing over this in my mind, I "found" this book, and it was the answer to my prayers. All beliefs came together and made sense again, and I have started performing salat more regularly for the first time. Alhamdullillah, I was blessed to find it, and I hope others will find the Peace which I found within its pages.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Inspiration., February 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart of the Koran (Quest Book) (Paperback)

This book was exactly what I was looking for. As an American Muslim, sometimes the esoteric meaning is hard to find or interpret reading scripture alone. This book has been most helpful. There is a saying that after you have completely digested the book, you won't need it anymore. I still need it. I loved it.