ON PRAISE AND VIRTUES OF BOOKS IN THE ISLAMIC TRADITIONS

Abstract

Book is not merely an object but an artefact that embodies rich and significant meanings and histories of human endeavours. A book took its form and purpose to preserve the narratives, thoughts, guidance, and wisdoms of the earlier generations and accessible by others and later generations across the centuries and geographical settings. In the Islamic tradition, the word kitāb, which is the Arabic term for book has its cultural, philosophical and spiritual dimension. The Quran is called “The Book”, embodies the speech of God (kalām Allah) revealed to the Prophet Muhammad to all mankind, and historically speaking it is the impetus of Islamic textual tradition which flourishes until today.