The book was never inteneded for the western reader but rather for the Muslim reader over 30 years ago. Its aim was to bring the message of Islam to the modern Muslim in a style that he/she could understand and practice in their day to day lives. Thus, not only the fundamentals of belief are explained but also social and political issues that were effecting the Muslim world at the time. It is said that Malcolm X was given a copy of this book and it had a great effect on him brining him towards Sunni Islam.It should be pointed out that the author was an Arab nationalist and so there are without doubt points in the book which are not shall we say, orthodox. Still, this is well worth a read.