Seven Steps to Spiritual Intelligence

In this slim volume, Hussain, head of a Muslim school and director of the Karimia Institute, a British Muslim organization, guides readers through the steps necessary to develop a healthy spiritual life. He begins with a focus on prerequisites, such as desire for a spiritual life and its benefits, and then outlines the process that a person should follow to establish meaning and purpose in their life, drawing on inspiration from Muslim scripture and thinkers. For example, he discusses the benefits of remembering and supplicating God, citing hadith in favor of reflection and prayer. Though ostensibly aimed at all who would like to cultivate spiritual intelligence, the book’s reliance on the history and theology of Islam, explanations of Arabic vocabulary, and hagiographic chapter on the prophet Muhammad will likely be barriers to many non-Muslim readers. This an effective, brief, and attractively designed introduction to some of the main principles of Islam will likely be most appreciated by those with a specific interest in the religion or in Islamic spirituality. (June)