The sermons, sayings and documents from the Nahj al-Balagha (the writings of Ali ibn Abi-Talib -- one of the prophet Muhammad's closest disciples) are now collected in one concise volume. These documents cover topics including "Conduct of Rule in Islam," which details the Islamic beliefs about justice and governance; "Morality and Conduct of Life in Islam," which describes the spiritual and ethical values embraced by Islam; and "Religion and State," which provides the reader with Islam's presiding beliefs regarding political philosophies throughout the ages. For scholars of Islam and those less well-versed in the religion's foundations, this guide is an excellent primer on Ali bin Abi-Talib's place in Islamic history.