This book is a compilation of the religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is divided into chapters, which are then divided into verses. The text discusses various aspects of life and provides guidance on morality, ethics, law, and personal conduct. It also includes narratives of several prophets, their lives, and their interactions with their communities. The book is considered the ultimate source of spiritual guidance for Muslims worldwide.

The book tells the story of Hai Ebn Yokdhan, a self-taught man who grows up on a deserted island, isolated from human society. Through his observations of nature and innate curiosity, he embarks on a journey of intellectual and spiritual discovery. Without guidance from others, he uses reason and empirical evidence to unlock the mysteries of the natural world, the human soul, and the divine. His quest leads him to profound insights about the nature of existence, the pursuit of truth, and the path to enlightenment, demonstrating the power of human reason to transcend the need for external instruction in the quest for knowledge and understanding.

"ḥayy Ibn Yaqẓān" is a philosophical novel that tells the story of Hayy Ibn Yaqzan, a child who is spontaneously generated on a desert island and raised by a doe. Growing up in isolation from human society, Hayy discovers knowledge through his own observations of nature and through rigorous reasoning. As he matures, he delves into profound inquiries about the nature of the human soul, the existence of God, and the path to true enlightenment. Eventually, he encounters another human being, which leads to a deep exploration of the differences between a life guided by pure reason and one shaped by societal norms and religion. The narrative serves as a meditation on the limits of human understanding and the pursuit of spiritual truth.

The book is a sweeping narrative set in an unnamed Gulf country in the 1930s, chronicling the seismic cultural and social shifts that occur when oil is discovered in a traditional desert community. As American oil companies arrive and begin exploitation, the story unfolds through the eyes of the region's inhabitants, whose lives are irrevocably changed. The novel explores themes of colonialism, environmental destruction, and the clash between modernity and tradition, painting a vivid picture of a society in transition and the human cost of progress.