Spiritual Discourses

About the Book

This book is comprised of a compendium of motivational

essays that are intended to stimulate the mind and stir the

heart toward sensing the magnificence of the Almighty

Lord, Allah (Glory be to Him, the Most High), as also

to experience the beauty and wisdom of Islam, and to

imbibe the principles and precepts of life taught by

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

The style of these discourses is generally intended to

educate both Muslims and non-Muslims on the spirit

and values of Islam, and on recognizing humanity and

human attributes within oneself, as well as to share

Islamic ethics, morality, philosophies, and principles

so as to promote the understanding of Islam and to

illuminate the purpose of life. Each essay is motivated by

several particularly insightful verses from the Qur’an and

traditions and sayings of the Prophet, which in themselves

are enlightening to read and reflect upon.

About the Author

Hanif D. Sherali is a University Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department at Virginia Tech. His research on mathematical modeling and analysis, and its application to production, transportation, and engineering design problems, has been published in over 325 archival refereed articles in various operations research journals and he has co-authored five books in this area. He is a Fellow of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences and the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and he is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering. This book has been compiled based on speeches he has given over a period of 33 years during Friday prayer services for Muslims, and emphasizes his philosophy of stressing on Islamic values and spirituality, and to foster a love for Allah (Glory be to Him, the Most High) and His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), as well as for Islam and Muslims and, indeed, for all of mankind.