The Teaching of the Qur'an. By the Rev. H. U.
W. Stanton. (S.P.C.K. 75. net.)—This is a compact handbook to the theology of the Koran with an introductory chapter on its origin. The book consists of 114 distinct deliverances (Surabs) by Mohammed, which were written down by his disciples and collected soon after his death. The standard text was deposited in four copies at Medina, Kufa, Basra, and Damascus in 651. Mr. Stanton has analysed the teaching under different heads, and appends an excellent subject-index. Although " Islam " means submission or resignation, the chief feature of Mohammed's creed is " the strenuous inculcation of the duty of warfare for the propagation of the faith." It is this which has made difficulties for tolerant non-Mohammedan rulers ; the Mohammedan is bound by his creed to be intolerant. Mr. Stanton, who is an Indian missionary, remarks that " Islam is struggling with the difficult task of ad- justing its early mediaevalism to the demands of a modern world," through a very liberal interpretation of ita seventh- century founder's book.
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