From The Backcover

"Thus, as a whole, philosophy is prior to religion in the way the one who uses instruments is prior in time to the instruments, and the faculties for dialectic and sophistry are prior to philosophy in the way nourishment of the tree is prior to the fruit or the tree's blossom is prior to the fruit. And religion is prior to dialectical theology and jurisprudence in the way the ruler who uses a servant is prior to the servant and the one who uses an instrument is prior to the instrument." - From Part 2, Chapter 19, Alfarabi, Book of Letters 

"Alfarabi's Book of Letters (Kitab al-Huruf) moves from the beginning of Aristotle's logical teaching, the categories, through the perfection of the syllogistic arts to inquiries about being evocative of those found in metaphysical investigation. In the process, it pauses or digresses to consider the origin of language as well as of religion and explore how religion and philosophy can work together for political well-being. It is, certainly, one of this compelling author's most important writings." - Charles E. Butterworth, from the Introduction 

"We are delighted to do our small part with others in this critical effort to revive traditional metaphysics by presenting this new translation by Charles E. Butterworth of al-Farabi's Book of Letters. We sincerely hope that this book kindles an interest in and desire to study the works of Aristotle and al-Farabi, whom the likes of the great Maimonides considered the first and second teachers respectively." - Hamza Yusuf, from the Foreword 

About The Translator

Charles E. Butterworth, emeritus professor of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, specializes in medieval Arabic and Islamic political philosophy.