Islam Explained: Essential reading for anyone who wants to know more about Islam (2nd edition)

Book excerpt: Shaik Kadir Shaik Maideen holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Sheffield, UK. He received training in teaching and journalism both locally and overseas, and has years of experience as an educator and journalist. Formerly a senior lecturer at the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore, he has now retired from service. His numerous writings have been published in various periodicals and magazines in Singapore and in other countries, including local newspapers such as The Straits Times and Berita Harian. His other books on aspects of Islam include Read! The Islamic inspiration on guidance, wisdom and progress (1986), The Straight Way: Answers to questions put forward by non-Muslims (1993), The Haj: The annual pilgrimage of Islam (1995), Commanding a dynamic Islamic Personality (2000), Inside Islam: 101 questions and answers (2004), Islam Explained (2006) which has been translated into Malay, and Allah: Understanding God in Islam (2016).