Product Description
9/11 and continued acts of global terrorism have challenged the understanding of academic experts, policymakers, and students, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Critical questions have been raised about Islam and Muslim politics in the modern world: Are Islam and modernity compatible? Is Islam in need of and capable of reform? What do Islam and what do Muslims have to say about globalization, democracy, human rights, women, jihad, violence, terrorism, and suicide bombing?
Thoroughly revised and updated in this second edition, Islam in Transition: Muslim Perspectives responds to these and other questions, taking into account the myriad of changes and challenges that Islam and Muslims have experienced over the last twenty years. Featuring numerous contemporary writings, fifty percent of which are new to this edition, it provides a point of entry into the various and changing dynamics of Muslim discourse and politics. This volume also bridges the nineteenth and the twenty-first centuries by retaining relevant classic selections from the first edition--by a diverse group of contributors from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the U.S.--that offer historical background.
Ideal for courses on Islam, politics in Islam, and Middle Eastern history, Islam in Transition: Muslim Perspectives, Second Edition, presents a wide range of viewpoints from a cross-section of Muslim intellectuals and religious leaders, from secular to devout, traditionalist to reformist, and moderate to extremist. The essays address key issues including Islam and nationalism, socialism, the secular state, economics, modernization, democracy, women, jihad, violence, terrorism, suicide bombing, globalization, and civilizational dialogue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Required reading!
This book is a wonderful compilation of first person sources regarding Islam in the Modern Era from the 17th century to the present day, focusing on the divergent responses of Muslim thinkers to Western influence. It begins with a selection of articles responding to the challenges of colonization and imperialism and ends with a discussion of contemporary challenges, including the notion of jihad and terrorism. This book's advantage is in letting the reader draw his or her own conclusions instead of relying on interpretations of the opinions. Articles speak on a variety of Muslim responses to post-Enlightenment Western concepts, including socio-economic theory; the nation-state; democratic principles; law; and secularism, to name a few. It also presents a variety of perspectives on distinctly Muslim issues, including the role of Islam in society; Quranic interpretation; religious law; gender; and jihad. The articles in this book are best read with a good knowledge of the principles of Islam, and a good knowledge of the historical development of Islam and the Muslim world. This book should be required reading for all serious English-speaking students of Islam and the Muslim world in contemporary society, including those focusing on the Middle East, terrorism, conflict studies, politics, culture, etc. ... Read more

Product Description
Appreciate a rich and diverse culture.Understand real people in their everyday lives.

The need to understand Islam and Muslims has never been greater, both because of conflicts that dominate the news and because of the increasing presence of Muslims in Western societies. There are hundreds of books that introduce the Western reader to Islam, and dozens of books that explore various Muslim societies (usually Arab ones). Islam & Muslims is the first to bring together both, explaining Islam in theory and in practice across the diverse Muslim world. Readers learn not just what Islam says about everything from the nature of God to marriage to prayer to politics, but also how individual Muslims (traditional or modern, devout or barely observant) apply teachings in everyday life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An evenhanded, straightforward evaluation
Dr. Mark Sedgwick (associate professor of modern Middle East history, American University in Cairo) introduces Western readers to the Islamic world and explores the various different Muslim societies in Islam & Muslims: A Guide to Diverse Experience in a Modern World. Accessible to lay readers of all backgrounds, regardless of personal familiarity with Islam, Islam & Muslims briefly surveys the faith's history but is much more strongly concerned with Muslims in the present day - from world view and worship practices to family practices, daily life, the intersection of Islam and politics including the unfortunate reality of Islamic political violence. An evenhanded, straightforward evaluation, to be commended especially for its close scrutiny of the cultural differences that at first glance make Islamic and Muslim practices alien to Westerners, and Western culture confusing to or misinterpreted by Muslims. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

Three and a Half Stars
Content Summary:Ayoob's book reviews the many political faces of Islam over several countries:Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Lebanon among them. He demonstrates that there is no one monolithic understanding of Islam the world-over, and that politically also there is also a diverse array of movements in Islam, from the democratic (such as Turkey), to the fringe terror groups such as Al-Qaeda (whose impact he says, on Islam, is actually quite limited). His intention was to write an introductory text on Islam and Politics, and in this he partially succeeds.It is a good book, but not necessarily accessible for beginning readers.

Analytical Review: I have to commend Ayoob for a deft and subtle understanding the nuances in religion and politics all over the Islamic world.Readers should be persuaded that there is in fact no one singular Islamic religious or political world-view, and that there is quite some diversity in the approaches and challenges Muslims today are facing.Ayoob is strongest in his analytical overview (the how and why) but weakest in his concrete, historical overview (the who, what, and when).Quite frankly, I suspect many students who are novices who read this book will become lost in many places.For example, he assumes contextual knowledge of major figures such as Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, without giving them more than line or two.The Shah's overthrow, our support for the coup against Mossadeq, get only a line or two also - this knowledge is assumed not imparted, as is knowledge of Khomeini, Sadat, etc. In short he assumes a lot more concrete historical knowledge of Islamic societies than he actually relays, and this will unfortunately detract from the important impact of his thesis.Experts, go ahead and read - but novices I'd advise you to read up on your history first.

Get beyond the surface
Dr. Ayoob's work on political Islam is a timely assault on many of the myths surrounding the nature and threat of Islamic activism that is often portrayed in popular American media. Dr. Ayoob characterizes the majority of these groups under the title of "Political Islam", which he defines as "a form of instrumentalization of Islamby individuals, groups, and organizations that pursue political objectives." In essence, political Islam seeks to apply Islamic principles to the execution of modern government through acquiring the power of the state.

The appeal of political Islam is multifaceted. The author cites the most basic appeal as the romantic notion of a "Golden Age" of Islam at the time of the Prophet and the first four caliphs. The golden age was modeled most prominently in the city-state structure of Medina during this period. Popular conception of this period has been idealized in popular literature and stories much the way the "founding fathers" are venerated in America. This appeal has been maintained throughout the centuries and found major revival in the 19th and 20th centuries as the majority of the Islamic world was brought under European domination during the colonial period.

Dr. Ayoob contends the rise of Arab dictatorships in the mid-20th century has greatly aided the growth of political Islam due to the repressive natures of the regimes which often restricted or outlawed public dissent. Therefore dissent was often voiced through religious, rather than political means, and thus has reinforced the perception that religion and politics are inseparable in Islam. In fact, political repression is often so extreme that if many of these governments fall a religious replacement is the only organized option in many states.

A number of myths regarding the threat of political Islam are addressed in this book. Dr. Ayoob successfully takes on several key contentions of the pundit masses regarding Islam as a monolithic religion. He asserts that "no two Islamism's are alike", and notes that almost every Islamist movement has characteristics specific to its local character despite similar rhetoric. Dr. Ayoob contrasts six political Islamic movements in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and finally the insurgent groups Hamas and Hezbollah to prove his case.

Dr. Ayoob studies each case where a political Islamic group has risen to power and the resulting effect on civil society. In every example the political Islamist groups have either failed to achieve their lofty goals of a religious state (such as Saudi Arabia and Iran), moderated extreme religious principles for democratic unity (Turkey and Indonesia) , or taken a balanced path (Pakistan and Egypt). In each case, the impact of political Islam was far less radical in execution than rhetoric. One of the key problems for many groups is a common vision of what a perfect Islamic state would look like. Dr. Ayoob largely assigns this to the requirements of governing large and complex societies.

Transnational Islamic groups are also addressed; primarily the Al Qaeda movement and also the "Caliphate" movement that have so captured western attention. Dr. Ayoob contends that for all the scare-mongering, the idea of a renewed Caliphate is a fringe idea, with its base of support among British expatriates. He cites numerous surveys to document the extremely small amount of support these groups have and contends western (primarily US) over-reaction is slowly increasing what little support these groups do enjoy. While dangerous, Dr. Ayoob contends that they have no chance of achieving their lofty rhetoric of Islamic domination. On the contrary, most affiliated groups have local, not transnational, goals.

Overall, the book was a fascinating insight into a subject that is much misunderstood and often demonized in the American media. Dr. Ayoob's dispassionate analysis succeeds in dispelling many myths of an Islamic juggernaut bent on establishing a new world Caliphate. Indeed, most of these movements are local in nature, and political responses to repressive regimes which fail to address the needs of their peoples. The book was highly readable for the student or casual observer. In compiling this book, Dr. Ayoob has done a great service. I would like to see a more mainstream circulation and discussion of these issues in the mass media.

An excellent comparative book
Mohammed Ayoob's "The Many Faces of Political Islam" is a very timely book that de-constructs several of essentialist myths about Islam and Islamist groups. The first and second chapters provide a conceptual overview with clear definitions. The empirical chapters include systematical comparisons of self-proclaimed Islamic states (Saudi Arabia and Iran), leading Islamist groups (Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Jamaat-i Islami in Pakistan), Muslim democracies (Turkey and Indonesia), Islamist national resistance movements (Hizbullah and Hamas), and transnational Islamists (Tablighi Jamaat, Hib-ut-Tahrir, and al-Qaeda). The conclusion points to the need of democratization in Muslim countries and re-orientation of US foreign policy as solution alternatives to ongoing problems.

A Concise, Enlightening Must-Read on Internal Political Contexts and Dynamics in the Majority-Muslim World
I try to read up on developments in the Islamic world from current events, political, historical and comparative religious perspectives.I learned a great deal from this book about some of the specific dimensions along which political Islam differs in different contexts and some policy-relevant lessons we in the US should take away from such an enriched understanding.

The case studies the author chose were of countries--Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, Iran and Saudi Arabia--and movements--Hizbollah, Hamas, al qaeda, and 2 other Islamic organizations with a transnational focus---which in addition to being important in their own right are also topical and important for the US to understand and adopt sensible policies towards.

I came away feeling more optimistic than I had expected to about the medium and longer-term prospects for improved living conditions for ordinary people living in majority-Muslim countries--including but going beyond greater freedom of worship and political speech--particularly if the US does not adopt ham-handed policies which impede internal dynamics that we should on the whole welcome.

Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Islamic politics
Mr. Ayoob has just done readers in the U.S. a great service by writing this book.This book is essential reading for policy makers, students and anyone who really wants to understand what's going on in the Islamic world.

The main problem with many books from the West on Islam and "Islamism" (political Islam) is that they are written from a Western perspective, and so they have inherent biases within them.This is of course a big part of the misunderstandings we have with this part of the world, the fact that we only see these societies and groups through the prism of our own standards and values which is not always concurrent with their own values.Indeed we seem to rarely ever be in synch with the realities of the area.This book puts political Islam into a vernacular that is ready for consumption by a U.S. audience.

One of the most interesting things I found was the author's discussion of the affects that contact with democracy, no matter how limited the democracy, has had on Islamic political groups.The Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Hizbullah and many other groups have had contact with some forms of democratic participation with varying degrees of success.The Muslim Brotherhood went from being a group that was suppressed to being allowed limited participation in elected government.When it became clear how much support they had they were once again violently suppressed.The question becomes will they continue down the path of moderation and participation or will their suppression lead to frustration and a recurrence of violence.The Mubarak and U.S. governments have a lot to say about what happens in the future to this group, if they decide that this group is to dangerous and must be suppressed there is a good chance that parts of the organization will become disillusioned and may resort to violence, but if they are allowed to become an active participant there is a real possibility that participation will have a further moderating affect.

Of course when one looks at the example of how Hamas was treated the prospects do not look good.One of the main points from Mr. Ayoob's is just how much of a moderating affect democratic participation can have on Islamic groups as evidenced by Turkey's AKP party.In a strange twist it is now the secularists in Turkey who have become authoritarian while it is the moderate conservative Islamic parties that have become ingrained in the political system that seems to be the voice of reason and moderation.Unfortunately Hamas' experiment in democracy seems to be heading toward abject failure due to circumstances beyond their control.They have not been given the opportunity to really join in the democratic process since they have been assailed from outside from the very beginning of their electoral victory.

This hypocrisy of the West has not gone unnoticed by the Muslim world.How the West purports to advocate democratization but only as long as the right groups get elected.The U.S. especially is generating ill will from this part of the world while at the same time pursuing policies that inhibit moderation.The rhetoric that comes from the U.S. about the moderating influence of democracy may well be true, but until we honestly pursue democratic change, no matter what the outcome for us, then we will be stuck with the same illegitimate, authoritarian regimes that are breeding grounds for disenchanted and potentially violent people.Islam is not inherently violent as some would have us believe, but just like all human beings given the right circumstances they can be forced into lashing out against the objects of their torment, whether that is authoritarian regimes or governments that back those regimes.

Mr. Ayoob does an excellent in job with very few pages detailing for the reader just how divergent political Islam really is.The author speaks of how we in the West tend to think of political Islam as being a "monolith", and he does an excellent job dispelling that myth and showing how each brand of Islamism, while many times espousing a universalistic agenda, is unique to its on context.Each Islamic group incorporates different aspects and theories of Islam to suit their unique situations.While there may be some violent, extremist elements they are a small minority.Many of these groups such as the AKP have shown themselves ready to join in the representative process and attempt to achieve their aims within the system.The author has given us plenty of examples of how democracy has a pronounced moderating affect on these Islamic organizations.It is up to us to focus our attention from the vocal and violent minority and focus our attention on helping the moderate majority, even when this help seems to be in contradiction to our own interests because in the end when these groups join the democratic process we all win.

This is a fantastic book that needs to be read and reread.I am eagerly awaiting the next publishing from this author.


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Product Description
This book acquaints the reader with the differences between Islamic and Western culture, and the similarities between Muslim and biblical worldviews. Musk explains how Christians can sensitively present seeking Muslims with a Christianity that meets real spiritual needs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Learning through narrative
This is a great way to be introduced to Muslim culture, not through the stories of an outsider, but through the stories from their culture.These narratives give you a very honest way of learning the mindset of this group of people.

Islam, A Realistic and Sympathetic Portrait
Bill Musk writes as a Christian attempting to portray a sympathetic and realistic portrait of Islamic cultures for non-Muslims.Musk's intent is to lay a basis for understanding and accurate communication.This book appears to satisfactorily fulfill the author's goal.

He presents insights into the Arab and Muslim worldview, exploring primary values and moral commitments.This book will assist readers who really want to know about the Arab ethnicities and Muslims as real people.

The author draws on portions of the Quran for insights into the Muslim psyche and values.The historical context is rarely dealt with in popular writings and western ravings about Islam.

Often the Islam referred to in the papers and popular discussions cannot be found in reality, but is a portrayal based on ignorance and presumption.Musk provides a reference in the real world.

Musk presents analyses and reflections from Muslim authors from several cultures, in which they portray common aspects of the life of Muslim people from within their experience.An important aspect of Islam as a movement across the world is the variety and cultural differences among those who follow Islam.

The author includes many segments from popular novels or more academic writings by such authors within the Muslim community.This will give readers an unusual insight into the thought of competent cultural insiders in various communities of the Muslim world.

Musk also includes perspectives of non-Muslims who have lived and worked for a long time among Muslims in their home cultures.This book is well worth the modest cost.It will remain a good reference to go back to again when new questions come up.

This book is a resource with honest insight into the world of Islam peopled by real human beings trying to make their way in life, just like the rest of us.The book will be especially valuable for people of faith such as Christians who want to engage their Muslim neighbours in a meaningful way, rather than being victimized to the various stereotypes, positive or negative. ... Read more

Product Description
Lippman's study of the Muslim world--from its earliest roots to today's global power politics--includes crucial new material on the Islamic community today. There are also updated descriptions of internal politics in Syria, Egypt, Pakistan and other Islamic nations. Essential reading for both students and all who seek greater understanding of the world in which we live. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Short and Concise, but gives a beginner what they need
Realizing I knew nothing about Islam, I picked up this book in an attempt to become a bit more knowledgeable about the religion and current events.I was very surprised at how the religion began and what it has evolved to.

They call it the world's youngest religion as it post-dates Christianity. I did not realize the extent to which is is based on Judeo-Christian writings. Muslims in fact recognize prior writings of this faith as the word of God, though not God himself. As Lippman describes, Islam was the religion of the minority and the poor of the time. He shows why it had such wide spread appeal.

Lippman also discusses in detail how the violence that has come to be associated with this religion is not actually a part of the doctrine. He tells of the story of the hypocrites who find their root as posers of Muslim faith who were of a neighboring resentful tribe. He explains in these terms why the Jewish conflict has existed since that time, despite Muslim religion beginning with great respect for the doctrine of Jewish faith. He shows very clearly that, despite what has comet o be associated with Islamic faith, Muhammad did not persecute or clear the ranks of Hypocrites precisely because he did not want to set a precedent of blood bath.

It saddens me to read how similar Islamic religion, Christianity and Judaism are and yet they can not resolve conflicts that have existed for over a thousand years. You would think the peaceful side of each religion would prevail.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a very short read on a belief system held by a large population of the world.

Helped me to understand some of the turmoil
"Understanding Islam: An Introduction to the Muslim World" is a short history of the Islamic faith. Islam is similar to most religions in that it provides a divine book with rules for how to interact with other people. It varies in one major aspect. Islam teaches that its followers have the duty to oppose governments if they think that the government is in opposition to the religious beliefs. And they are required if able to take physical action, verbal action, or at the very least moral action. This belief makes for a destabilizing influence since like most religious there are several factions in Islam with opposing views. This problem has more gas dumped on the destabilizing fire because Islam does not recognize a distinction between church and state.

These beliefs helped me to understand some of the turmoil in the Middle East. But to blame Islam for all the problems there is like blaming Christianity for tight binding underwear. By which I mean that it is any easy scapegoat. Seems like a lot of Muslims are like most other religious people. They want life to run smoothly, follow their beliefs without reprisal for it, and to live in relative peace. But there is a loud minority that gets all the media attention much like people shooting abortion doctors or burning down Planned Parenthood centers.

So, if you want a little history on Islam go for it. "Understanding Islam: An Introduction to the Muslim World" seemed fairly impartial and informative. But much like snow peas, I would have been just as happy with them on my plate as off my plate. Sweet peas are another story.

A great place to start your studies of Islam
This book was used as part of a class about understanding the Islamic world.It is a great place to start if you would like to be introduced to the basic concepts of the religion and the history.It is perfect for the lay-person who knows little or nothing about Islam.There is little bias in the book, though sometimes you can feel Lippman's admiration of certain aspects and his disgust at others.

A reader of this book could not say that he or she was educated in Islam, but a reader of this book would know enough to understand other books and sources.It also may point readers toward other areas of interest to study.

Islam Basics & Countries
Publsiher's Note: A little over thirteen centuries ago, the prophet Muhammad converted a few Arab desert tribes to the belief in a single god, Allah, thus founding the religion of Islam. Within a century, that belief had created one of history's mightiest empires - and today Islam continues to shape events around the globe. This comprehensive guide offers an informative and insightful introduction to Islam both as a religion and as a political-economic force. It tells the story of Muhammad - and the rise of Islam; outlines the sacred book, the Koran; explains "the five pillars of faith"; explores the interplay between religion and government; describes the differences that divide Islam; and, above all, shows the influence of Islam on world affairs. This SECOND revised edition provides crucial new material on the Islamic community today, including discussion of the Gulf War and the Salman Rushdie affair; the rise and ebb of fundamentalist fervor in Iran, Algeria, and elsewhere; and the relationships among different factions of the Islamic faith. There are also updated descriptions of internal politics in Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, and other Islamic nations. Complete with glossary, bibliography. and index.

Good Basics; Questionable Perspective
I agree with other reviewers that this is a good book (or tape) for understanding the basics of Islam. But if the book was, in fact, updated in 1995, one has to question the objectivity of the author, who says, e.g., of Wahhabism: "It is probably the most profound, and may yet prove to be the most beneficial, change that has supervened in Arabia since the preaching of Islam..." (p.153). ... Read more

Product Description
In recent years world events have trained a harshspotlight on the Muslim religion and its adherents. Themisunderstanding and bias against Muslims in the United States notonly persists, but it has deepened. In this detailed study of animmigrant community in Chicago, Garbi Schmidt considers the formationand meaning of an "American Islam." This vivid portrait of the peopleand the institutions that draw them together contributes to theacademic literature on ethnic and religious identity at the same timeas it depicts an immigrant community's struggle against bias andforces that threaten its cohesion.

Chicago has long been home to Muslim immigrants from numerous countries in the Middle East and South Asia. For some members of these groups religion carries more weight than ethnic identity in the American context and enables them to form and participate in a broad spectrum of institutions that support their religious and social interests. Schmidt offers her observations of the schools and student associations that serve young Muslims as well as the social, religious, and political organizations that serve adults. By looking at the ways in which children, adolescents, and adults come together in these institutions, she is able to show the dynamic process in which a variegated American Muslim identity takes shape. Readers will come away from this book with a better understanding of the ideological and cultural differences among Muslims and a greater appreciation of their struggles in becoming Americans. ... Read more

Product Description
Muslim convert Christine Huda Dodge possesses a unique foot-in-each-world perspective on Islam. With her comprehension of Islam and her understanding of the kinds of questions and issues that perplex Westerners, she is the perfect guide to:

• The life of Muhammad the Prophet
  
• The Qur?an and the Sunnah
  
• The five pillars of practice
  
• Muslim daily life
  
• Women and Islam
  

Customer Reviews (11)

Overly Simplistic, One-Sided Propaganda
One the positive side, this book does cover a high level over view of the religion, its' inception, some history, and basic tenets, definitions, holidays, and terminology,etc., etc..

It is written in an overly sweet, "Islam is loving, warm and mild and would not hurt a flea" perspective. While many of Muhammad's directives are just that, the author glosses over many of the harsh realities of the religion until page 94 where she does acknowledge that the penalty for "Adultery:stoning to death of both man and woman." and "Homosexual practices: execution of both individuals." The author totally ignores the aggressive and combative directives that can be found more so in the later chapters of the Quran. The author also ignores the implementation of their faith through out history. While the Christians had their crusades, the Jews had their tribal wars, little mention of war can be found other than when the poor Muslims were attacked that they have the right to defend themselves. There is a time-line in the back of the book, but there is no supporting documentation about the significance of major events. The author also totally ignores current day events, radical muslim suicide bombings, the ugly situations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran. She does not discuss the fact that it is a Muslim's responsibility to attempt to extend Sharia Law into all societies and that any form of democratic government is against Sharia Law and needs to be overthrown/changed to conform to Sharia Law. She also ignores the fact that Sharia Law is very harsh for those who decide to leave the religion. The traditional schools of Islamic jurisprudence are unanimous in holding that apostasy (renouncing Islam) by a male Muslim is punishable by death.

The author does denote a very few high-level theological differences between Christians and Muslims, Jews and Muslims. But there is no analysis, no references/comparisons to current events. There is little insightful dialog, or in depth discussion supporting the authors pronouncements To me the author portrays an unrealistic picture that Islam as the only true religion while creating the impression that all Islamists want to live in total accepting, harmony with other religions and forms of government.

I was disappointed in that I wanted to learn about current day Islamic interpretations of the Quan, Islamic perspectives on democratic governments and Islam perspectives on their rationale for their negative actions toward western societies in Europe and the Americas.

Understanding Islam
I wanted to understand more about the Islamic beliefs and customs.This is a very basic book but gives understandable explanations.Now I would like to read some more historical materials.

Decent basic introduction to Islam, but glosses over many areas of particular interest
I am tired of feeling like all the information available to most Americans regarding the World's second largest religious group has an agenda, one way or another.Having been pleased and impressed with the balanced and concise Everything Middle East book, I thought that Dr. Dodge's book on Islam would provide the same informative, balanced, current primer.Unfortunately, the book does little more than present what appears to be a "G rated" thumbnail of Islam, glossing over any issue which may be controversial in the slightest.If Dr. Dodge's book was intended to present only the best of what Mohammed's revelations bring to the world, then she has succeeded.The book seems more focused on making western Christians feel comfortable with the similarities between the two faiths, as evidenced by a handful of verses from the Koran, than with presenting "the good with the bad" and sharing the theological reasoning behind those aspects of Islam that seem truly foreign to the Western reader, or at least acknowledging that the instructions of the Koran are, like the message of Christianity, often corrupted or perverted based on other tribal, cultural, or chauvinistic predilections.Reading this book is NOT a waste of time by any means, but it should certainly be followed up with a more balanced book for those who are truly seeking understanding about Islam, its role in the world, where "the Peoples of the Book" (Muslims, Christians, and Jews) can find common ground, and where, perhaps, they cannot.

Understanding Islam
This book was a gift for someone who wanted to travel to the Middle East.They were very happy to have information about the cultures before they visit these regions.

highly recommended
Some resourcesestimate Muslims as 1.8 billions( CIA fact book for 2006 say they are 1.6 billions)
This make it very important to know about islam
If you are a christian/jew it is mentioned in your book that you should follow the Last prophet,(see Muhammad in the bible a book or on youtube)

The book is good introduction.
You may find 2-3 things a little different and it is better to clarify it with a muslim scholar in an islamic center close to you) for example:

Islamic law on Homosexuality( their are 3 opinions of scholars not just killing them( also include a punishment to help them avoid it)

Again the book is good start

For more Information try The sealed nectar or
martin Lings(Muhammad). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Muslim Primer
Americans are woefully uniformed when it comes to understanding Islam.As one of those Americans I purchsed A Muslim Primer so that I would be better informed.I was not disappointed.The Primer has given me the understanding that I need.As an example, I know Americans believe women in the Islamic world are treated badly.Mohammad, the Islamic prophet, is quite clear in how women should be treated
All human beings (male and female)are equal, equal as the teeth of a comb.There is no superiority of white over black nor of any male over any female.Only the God-consciousness (regardless of gender) merits favor and the ultimate rewards from God.
We know in some Islamic countries that women are not treated as Mohammad prescibes.This is not because of Islam but because of the male-domination of those societies.

Some Koranic sections undeveloped or omitted
I thought the Koranic directions on how to beat your wife were undeveloped actually.Also of interest were the passages grating men the privilege of four wives and the right to sexually exploit all the slave girls they have on hand.The Koran together with the Hadith provide very useful guidelines for slaveholders. Slavery was used very effectively bythe Ummayad and Ottoman empires used effectively to acquire weatlh and power.

Readable and an authentic introduction
This is an excellent introduction to Islam, including brief historical and biographical information.The work includes some black and white photographs of the five times a day prayer, some US Muslim centers and of some major Islamic architecture.
I appreciate both the scholarship and the author's readable style that makes the information accessible to the general reader. The author meets his stated goal of looking at Islam from within its own perspective, avoiding cultural cliches. The author, a Christian, used the most frequent questions from people attending his introductory course on Islam as an outline to guide the text.

Has Its Faults
This book has a fair amount of detail about Islam, from it's history, it's rites, holy books and so on. But the author repeatedly insists on defending Islam from the worst of it's foibles. Although not a Muslim himself, he goes out of his way to defend the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, as it is "not a matter of free speech". There is such a thing as being too open-minded. He seems to think that if a religion condones murder, then it is OK, and perfectly excusable. He defends the oppression of women as something totally justifiable, and thus, rather than eliminating the "misconceptions" of westerners about Islam, her merely shows that such misconceptions are nearer to the truth than he wishes to admit, but then chooses to disguise the intolerance in a whitewash of pious talk. The author seems unable to understand that as a Christian himself, he places himself as an enemy of the Islamic faith and actually makes him guilty of blasphemy, the same thing which he says the Muslims are justified in punishing by death! At least most Christians have learned to malign the Inquisition, even at the expense of the Bible, to some degree, but rather than trying to downplay the thuggishness of many elements in the Q'uran, the general tendency is to defend them. The Bible is not better than the Q'uran in terms of the savagery included and defended in the name of god, but fortunately, few Christians take it very seriously anymore. The use of violence in order to justify one's own position is a weakness, and not a strength . . . a genuine doctrine that would seek to elevate humanity would stand on its own without having to eliminate opposition. The author also goes on to detail a method of "understanding" and inter-religious doalogue between Christians and Muslims, which will never work, because both parties have to be open to the other culture's point of view, which both of their respective holy books expressly forbid. It's hard to have an open and friendly discussion when both sides will regard whatever the other side says as blasphemy! He advises Christians to regard there as being more than one way to salvation -- but his own faith denies this! The whole book was just a feeble attempt to justify a very narrow-minded and oppressive set of dogmas.

On the plus side, there is a fair amount of historical detail about Islam, and the important figures are highlighted. Great attention has been paid to the schims in Islam, such as those between Sufi, Shiite, Wahabi, Sunni and others. A number of prayers, rites and bit of doctrine are included and an explanation of the rationale behind them is usually attempted. The author goes out of his way to emphasise the strong points of Islam and anyone looking to learn about the faith would do well to use this book as one of their sources. Not perfect, but worth reading. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Highest reguard and respect
I am a student at Nyack College, where Larry, the author, teaches.He prefers that we call him Larry instead of Dr. Poston because that's the kind of man he is: simple, seething with intelligence.Upon reading these reviews, speaking with Larry several times about Islamic issues, and bowsing the book(I'm in college, no time to read, just browse :)), I think these reviews are somewhat ridiculous, and/or they miss the point completely.As for this book being shameful because you felt "misled," did you even read the back?!Did you check to see the context the book was written in and for?You know, the part that says this book was written from an envangelical Christians perspective?Culture is ALL about perspective.So obviously, upon reading that, you would be prepared for what you were about to read.Now, if he wanted to, he could very well have written this book from a different perspective, but he chose his path and wrote the book.There's nothing shameful about that, or misleading, it's called a topic.The man has a doctorate and has lived all over the world...he knows a little something more than the average person up in Maine, or any other average person living in the US.As for the other review about "stupid" comments, you're missing the point:he's saying Christianity shouldn't be about culture at all: caucasian, african american, modern, postmodern, whatever, we should just stick to what Jesus tells us instead of making it about us.It's suppose to be about Him anyway, not what our culture is comfortable with.In my, admittedly probably slightly bias opinion, I think this is an excellent book for learning about Islam from an educated Christian perspective and reaching out to that community without pushing the Bible down their throats.He remains true to text and is well spoken.If you ever have a chance to meet and talk with him, it would be well worth your time.

SHAMEFUL!
I bought this book thinking that it would give me an unbiased perspective on Muslim life in America. Instead, what I got was a very ethnocentric, biased, bogus book that promotes leading (misleading) Muslims into the Christian faith. I was dismayed at the dreadfully biased mis-information given. Unfortunately for these authors, I knew more about Islam than they gave me credit for. They are obviously banking on selling this book to those who have no background in Islam, because this book would not hold up to any educated scrutiny. Shameful!

Good overall
There were occasional factual inaccuracies.However this book is a good overview of the subject from a Christian perspective.

Occasionally, I was bothered by some statements in the book.In chapter 5, for example, the author makes a rather stupid statement:"Will ministers wearing kente cloth, African drums during worship services, depictions of the Hebrew Patriarchs (along with Jesus, Mary, and the disciples) as blacks... produce African-American churches that contain biblical truth?Or will... people in these churches merely receive Black nationalism wrapped in a sub-biblical theological cloak?"

I would like to ask the author if he has considered this question in reverse form:"Would churches with ministers who consistently wear European-style clothing, only employ Euro-american musical styles in worship services, and portray Jesus and the disciples as caucasians produce churches that preach biblical truth?Or would people who attend these churches only be taught western ideas and culture falsely portrayed as being biblical?" ... Read more

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Product Description
Now reissued with a new introduction, Discovering Islam is a classic account of how the history of Islam and its relations with the West have shaped Islamic society today. Islam is often caricatured as aggressive and fanatic. Written in the tradition of Ibn Khaldun, this readable and wide-ranging book balances that image, uncovers the roots of Islamic discontent and celebrates the sources of its strength. From the four "ideal Caliphs" who succeeded the Prophet to the refugee camps of Peshawar, an objective picture emerges of the main features of Muslim history and the compulsions of Muslim society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Taqiyya Fest
This is holy deception (Islamic Taqiyya).
For the truth about Islam, read the books:

Leaving Islam: Apostates Speak Outedited by Ibn Warraq
Why We Left Islam: Former Muslims Speak Outby Crimp and Richardson
Jihad in the West by Paul Fregosi
Understanding Muhammad: A Psychobiography by Ali Sina
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam by Robert Spencer
Religion of Peace? by David Gregory

an anthropologits in Jerusalem
I have been meaning to read this book for many years and finally got around to it.

So much can be said about it. The most outstandning thing is that the book has withstood the effects of time very well: it is more relevant than ever and even prophetic. Some of Professor Ahmed's concerns have turned out to be extremely topical.

The book obviously has no agenda of being an instance in islamic scholarship and it is not surprising that some of the reviews written by readers take him to task on the detail. That was never the point. I think the purpuse of the book was to take on the "makro" issues and that is where its strength is to be found. Professor Ahmed, though a loyal member of Islam and one that has never failed to live and write and think exhibitin solidarity as such, does have the courage to take on some sore points. He focuses on the very uneasy seam between modern "rational" thought and Muslim thought and is trying to hold on to the good while exposing the harmful. Harmful to Muslim society itself.

Self criticism was not just a Communist mantra. It is such a marvelous tool for renwal and growth of any mode of thought and those who forgo it, harm, not only those they interact with (a thing inevitable in our global age) but much more clearly themselves.

That is the main point that Professor Ahmed Akbar makes and his muslim brethern would be so well advised to listen to him instead of confronting him. He clearly is on their side. His is Constructive Criticism.

The book is very well written and worth reading. It should appeal to specialist and non-specialist alike. Yes there are some inaccuracies but that is not the point.

Brilliant Analysis About Islam
Professor Ahmed provides a very accessible and informative account of Islamic history which is enlightening to the non-Muslim reader as well as the Muslim one. Especially relevant in current times, Professor Ahmed gives context to Islamic history, without which the religion and contemporary issues cannot properly and adequately be understood.

Criticisms in other reviews, such as those levied by Mr. Jehangir, are not to be taken seriously as they carry no demonstrable credibility. Such is to be expected by a follower of a fringe movement in the religion, nowhere near orthodox thought and mainstream practice; it would be akin to Jim Jones being authoritative about Christianity!!

I would recommend this book to anyone seeking an understanding of Islamic history and its proper context. I would also suggest people read some of Professor Ahmed's other books, such as the excellent "Islam Today," one of the best Introduction to Islam books out there, and "Postmodernism and Islam."

An excellent introduction to Islam
Professor Ahmed has provided an excellent anthropological introduction to Islam in this book. This book is not meant to be a theological treatise (as the other reviewer tries to belabor), but rather a clear and personable introduction to the Faith and people of Islam.

Disappointing effort reveals lack of Islamic learning.
Having met Prof. Ahmad I can say that he is a very nice person and a good host and his commitment to Islam is not questionable but on the evidence of this book his lack of Islamic knowledge is evident. This is not meant to be a harsh criticism but the Prof. is an anthropologist and not an Islamic scholar and therefore his lack of in-depth knowledge of Islam is not surprising.

Though the book is well written it does suffer from factual errors and also many of the interpretations of history are not the traditional Islamic viewpoint as understood by the majority of scholars of the Ahle Sunnah w'al Jama'ah: in his evaluation of certain Muslim historical personages of great repute he has surprisingly-and regretably-followed the standard Orientalist opinion of them (or his own opinions are closer to that of the Orientalists than of the traditional ulama). For example, his contention about Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughals (and the sixth Mughal Emperor), that he may be reasonably compared with General Zia ul Haq of Pakistan is preposterous and false on two accounts: 1) Aurangzeb followed the traditional Maturidi/Asha'ri school of Islamic orthodoxy which is also known as Sunni Islamwhereas Gen. Zia was a well-known admirer of the heterodox Wahabi movement which only sprang up in Arabia in the 18th century. Indeed, under Aurangzeb's orders the greatest compendium of Sunni fiqh [jurisprudence] was compiled, the Fatawa Alamgiri (or Fatawa al Hindiyya as it is also known.) (2) Prof. Ahmed contends that Aurangzeb was inimical to Sufism whereas in fact he was not only a murid [disciple] of the grandson of Imam al Rabbani, Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi (may Allah sanctify his secret), who was a Shaykh in the Naqshbandi Order but according to the ijma [consensus] of the scholars of Ahle Sunnah [Sunni Islam] he himself was a wali Allah-a Sufi who has reached the end of the Journey to Allah as Rumi would put it! In other words he himself was an accomplished Sufi and even his detractors admire his personal piety and adherence to the Shar'iah--which is the essence of Sufism as understood by the Sufis themselves. I think that this error by the respected Prof. may be due to his definition of Sufism. Perhaps he has the same definition of Sufism as that of most Orientalists of the past that anynone who claims to be a Sufi is one! Certainly this profound lack of understanding of Sufism (tassawuf to give it its Islamic name) is evident in this book!

Another glaring error was in the section which compared the differences between Deobandis and Barelvis (the two major groups of Muslims in the Subcontinent apart from the Shia). It was claimed that Barelvis believe that the Prophet is not human (!) (peace and blessings be upon him) and not flesh and blood but light and that he is semi-divine and that he is present everywhere around us all the time. As a Barelvi (the traditionalist Sunni, sufi, Muslims of the Subcontinent) myself I found this error not only surprising but offensive. These are the beliefs falsely ATTRIBUTED to Barelvis by the Deobandi school and the Wahabis. It is a pity that such an experienced writer like Prof. Ahmed should just accept this accusation as fact without checking the books of the Barelvi ulama for himself. Here is what Barelvis ACTUALLY believe regarding the Prophet of Islam (may Allah bless him and give him peace).

1.We believe He IS a human being made from flesh and blood [bashar] AND a noor [light] at the same time. This is like the example of when Gabriel, who is also noor [light], used to appear to the Prophet in the form of a man, flesh and blood. 2. He is infallible and perfect and free from all imperfections and sinless (as are all Prophets).He is human but not like other humans like a ruby is a stone but not like other stones! 3. Allah has GIVEN him the ability to see the whole of Creation in detail while he is in his blessed grave as if he was looking at it in the palm of his hand. This is called being "nazir" ("witnessing"). 4. Allah has GIVEN him the ability to go physically and spiritually to anywhere in the Created Universes he pleases whenever he pleases (peace be upon him) AND to be in more than one place at the same time. This is what is meant by "hazir" (present). This is not the same as believing that he (peace be upon him) is present everywhere all the time! The above definitions of the CORRECT meaning of what is meant by "hazir and nazir" can be found in any Sunni book on beliefs [aqa'id] in the Subcontinent by Barelvi ulama. e.g. Jaa al Haqq wa Zaahiqal Batil by Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Na'eemi (Allah have mercy on him).

The readers will notice how these beliefs differ from what is ASCRIBED to us falsely and which Prof. Ahmed unfortunately repeats in his book.And ALL of the above beliefs from 1 to 4 are found in all the classical works of the Sunni scholars throughout the world as they are firmly based on a classical and orthodox understanding of the Qur'an and hadith.

To end on a more positive note the general chronological events of Islamic history are more-or-less correct and Prof. Ahmed is undoubtedly a good writer but I sincerely believe that only qualified experts [Islamic historians, ulama, scholars] should write on Islam and Islamic history as the scope for unintentional errors is vast, especially in doctrinal matters.

His books which deal with contemporary Islam and South Asian anthropology and history (Postmodernism and Islam, Jinnah, etc.) are brilliant but this book alas does not do him justice.

A disappointing effort. ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive text combines the historical and the topical into an accessible introduction to the Islamic tradition and the worldwide Muslim community. It interprets the doctrines, devotional practices, and institutions of Islam and provides a ready understanding of world events involving Muslims: the Islamic Jihad movements, the controversy over the adoption of Islamic holy law, and the Islamic revival. Denny explicates the doctrines, ritual practices, and institutional forms of Islam with special attention to their sources in the Qur'an, Islam's sacred scripture, and the Sunna, the record of Muhammad's teachings and personal example. He explores the Shari'a--Islam's holy law--both in its content and its practical application. He also examines the differences between the Sunni and the Shi'i forms of Islam in their historical, theological, and sociopolitical perspectives. Importantly, the book provides a sense of Islamic spirituality and its persisting mystical tradition, strongly influenced by Sufism. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

A lucid introduction to a fascinating but little-known topic
I have been studying Syriac with Sidney Griffith for two years now. I will be getting into another specialty of his this coming year: Christian-Muslim relations in the early centuries of Islam. That is why I decided to read this book. As it happens, there was more hidden treasure in this subject than I had suspected. Christians did not just live silently under Muslim domination; they interacted with Muslims at the highest levels. There was a very fruitful mutual exchange of ideas for several centuries. Each community helped shape the way in which the other expressed itself, and even the topics each chose to address.

In view of the rancorous relations currently prevailing between certain segments of the Muslim and Christian/Western communities, both sides would benefit from doing as Dr. Griffith suggests toward the end of this book and re-examining the records of these interactions. Many of them show that it is possible for Muslims and Christians to have intelligent conversations about theological matters without the constant bitterness and recriminations that now poison the atmosphere between the two sides.

Disappointing pedantry
While the author may have excellent academic credentials, his writing is filled with run-on sentences and hyperactive footnotes that seriously mar the readability of the text. The book reads more like an annotated transcription of a series of lectures than a coherent work, and the repetitions of textual snippets and repetition of dates is highly distracting. I would suggest that the next time Dr. Griffith writes a book that he tries the novel concept of reading the material aloud, so he can discover just how badly his style and phrasing plays to others. I suggest that his series editors might try the same exercise.
... Read more

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"A beautifully written and definitive history of Baghdad...opening the doors to the old city and letting its secrets spill out." (Library Journal)

The "golden age of Islam" in the eighth and ninth centuries was as significant to world history as the Roman Empire was in the first and second centuries. The rule of Baghdad's Abbasid Dynasty stretched from Tunisia to India, and its legacy influenced politics and society for years to come. In this deftly woven narrative, Hugh Kennedy introduces us to the rich history and flourishing culture of the period, and the men and women of the palaces at Baghdad and Samarra-the caliphs, viziers, eunuchs, and women of the harem that produced the glorious days of the Arabian Nights.

"Superb...this is compelling reading for anyone concerned with the perils of power, the medieval Islamic legacy and the images that Baghdad continues to conjure in the modern imagination." (Publishers Weekly starred review) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Good for Introductory Overview
Content Summary:This is a good book for beginners to start, as the book is written with the intention of reaching a non-academic audience.The topic is the Abbassid Empire, and the author captures some of the major caliphs from the beginning to the 10th century.It is not a complete history, the last 150 years of the Abbassid Empire are not covered, and religious themes and ideas not developed too much.Some of the prosperity, science and innovation is also reviewed in brief, with major attention to the personal lives and legacy of the caliphs themselves.

Analytical Review:While I would agree with critics that this is not a perfect book, it would have been better if it had been longer and covered the Abbassid Empire to its bitter end, it is again not a bad place to start.More reading will obviously be necessary to discover about the religious ideas, philosophers, and scientists of the Abbasid Empire.It will however suffice as colorful introduction to the often tragic and contradictory lives of the Abbasid Caliphs.Its greatest strength is that it is accessible and engaging.

Shoddy And Lazy Scholarship
The book is so full of jaw dropping inaccuracies that it is not worth the paper it is written on.

Kennedy states in more than two places that Abas (RA) was an unbeliever!

"There was no getting away
from the fact that Abbas have never become a Muslim
and would now be burning in hell"!!! (Page 4)


"Even among those who longed for the
rule of the Family of the Prophet, the majority
expected to see a descendant of Ali and Fatima as
their leader and inspiration, not the obscure
offspring of the Prophet's unbelieving uncle Abbas!" (Page 11)

It is very sad that a Professor would spew such an inaccurate mess when a casual reading of any Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) biography
would have corrected his bogus non-research based assumptions.

The book is full of conjectures, unproven theories and is stanger than fiction.

I gave up reading the book because I could no longer trust the material. How can one continue reading a book that has such glaring
grave misrepresentations?

Why are Orientalists so careless when it comes to writing about Islam?

splendid stories, but big gaps in historical analysis
This book is a fun read that is well written and designed for the interested layman.It never gets bogged down in academic controversies and finds the fun in the blood, sex, and civilization of a truly unique empire.Unfortunately, there were many historical details, however academic this might sound, that I was hungry to learn about and felt continually disappointed at their light treatment, i.e. how Islam was instituted in the occupied countries (or why it succeeded in taking such firm root), what the sources of Arab power were (faith, organization, economics or some combination thereof?), and why the Abbasids produced some of the greatest cultural works that humanity has ever known?While Kennedy makes it clear that he intended to tell interesting stories, I really wanted much more than he provided.As such, it is good popular history, but not dense enough for my taste.

The Abbasids took power in a revolution from the Ummayads, who were a group from the prophet Mohammed's tribe but not part of his larger family (the Abbasids were cousins of the Prophet).While we get a lot about the intrigues and military aspects, all anecdotal, there is very little about the religious side of the conflict, particularly in tribal context.The Sunnis and Shiites were not yet quite formed, crucial religious history that I wanted to better understand.Then, the Persians were included as vital allies, at the time of their conversion to Islam, also barely covered in the book.This was thus a badly incomplete picture.It is not even clear why the revolution took hold, beyond bare facts like the Ummayads were unpopular due to their Syrian base.

Once power was consolidated, there were some very interesting personalities, such as the shrewd and ruthless Mansur, who established the state's ruling structure with persian viziers and professional army.He is an austere and fascinating figure.Then there is Herun, the ruler in 1000 Arabian Nights, who exemplifies the golden age, though sowed the seeds of civil war that was to lead to the dynasty's downfall 100 years later.They created the Harem and countless other forms that set the standard for all later Islamic regimes, which never equalled their splendor or cultural sophistication and openness.There was even a period of inquiry into the Koran as an historical document, as Greek philosophical influence grew for a brief period.Once again, fun stories, but little hard fact about how the empire was run, why it reached a certain size, why it suddenly became religiously conservative and choked off the development of practical scientific enquiry, and what the foundations of power were.In other words, I wanted more geo-political and social analyses.

The fall of the Abbasids came with their inability to provide orderly successions as well as their dependence on Turkish mercenaries.As chaos rose, the provinces rebelled and even the maintenance of the waterways that had made mesopotamia a breadbasket to unique civilizations for 3000 years were allowed to fall into ruin, never again to be revived.Not only was this the passing of Arabs as a global power, but the end of a united Islam, as the Sunni-Shiite split hardened into separate sects and innumerable regional principates arose.Alas, these details are neglected in favor of personal tales of decapitations, torture, and corruption and betrayal - fun stories, but just a surface gloss.

Recommended.It is a good starting point, but less than half the history.

Good, light history
Kennedy has created a light and engaging introduction to an important part of history upon which much attention has been focussed in recent years. He may, as one reviewer suggested, have done so in a bit of a hurry as a response to the sudden celebrity of the Caliphate. The book certainly feels like the end was a little rushed. With Iraq finally successfully bombed back into the Stone Age and bin Laden's messages circulating calling for the restoration of the Caliphate, it is a good time to be learning this history and this is a good place to start.

This is an entertaining read, and for me its great strength is that it avoids the kings-and-battles focus of so many histories. You get at least some impression of what people ate, for instance, and Kennedy provides details of what breads belonged to a food ration, how the sticks used to move bread around the oven were used to impale heads of lynching victims, the contents of Persian stews, how the Tigris was bridged with linked pontoons, how a drunk might fall off a roof without attracting comment - then, as now, Arab families often sleep and eat on their rooves. It is a good, broad-ranging read which touches on the nature of an entire society and not merely its dynastic succession and military history.

The Abbasid dynasty is to some degree portrayed as a Golden Age, and in respect of poetic achievement, for instance, this is probably true. It is not ha-Sefarad, however, and appears not to have been the triumph of toleration that briefly flowered in Iberia. There are disturbing references to the requirement of dhimmi to wear colour-coded clothing which nastily echo 1930s Europe and jar with the traditional image of tolerant Islam.

The role of women and the harim is handled at some length. Women could only exercise power indirectly in mediaeval Islam, and the harim has become a symbol of political intrigue and sensuous danger. The Caliph kept a large stable of the most beautiful and talented women. The prevalence of dancing and singing girls, and the widespread consumption of wine, jar a little with the concept of the pious Caliph. The existence of eunuchs comes as something of a shock to those familiar with Islam's prohibition of mutilation, but as in China, it seems to have been a legitimate way to gain access to all the corridors of the centre of power.

The role of the Turks prior to the Seljuk ascendancy was somewhat new to me, and it is interesting to see how a fairly illiterate, but potent, warrior race achieved infiltration and then dominance over the cultured and frankly somewhat effete Arab elite. In the end, the struggle for power ended the Abbasid dynasty, its potency leaking into the hands of those who gained the power to make and destroy kings. Disappointingly, the final end of the dynasty with the kicking to death of the last Abbasid Caliph by the invading Mongols falls past the end of the book and is referred to only in passing. It is interesting that not only the Mongols but the Turks as well, both Central Asian nomadic pastoralists and both still at least partly pagan at the time, accorded those they respected a bloodless death, the Caliph being rolled up in a carpet and trampled to death as a sign of respect for his status. Reportedly the wretched man showed no indication of gratitude...

The invincible light cavalry of these pastoralists made them rapidly indispensable to the Abbasids but also ploughed the furrow in which the seeds of their demise grew. The arrival of the Turks marks the transition of Islam from a Middle Eastern to a really Asian religion and the decline of Arab dominance. Islam has never been the same. This book describes much of what was lost.

too anecdotal
The Abbysid dynasty witnessed Islam's "golden age" as the Islamic world grew and flowered both economically and socially.Prof. Kennedy has written a great anecdotal history of the region that shows the Abbysid caliphate in all its glory.For me, however, Kennedy's use of anecdotes was a little much.

To be fair, Kennedy is well aware of his use of anecdotes, stating that the majority of primary sources from this era *are* anecdotal, and in the spirit of the age they are used to illustrate larger themes.(The generosity - or frugality or meanness - of a particular caliph for example.)I struggled with this even as I understood why Kennedy chose to do this.

The organization of the book was another point with which I struggled.The first third of the book details the political history of the Abbysids from its founding in 750 to the regin of Mu'tadid in 892; his discussion of the civil war between Ma'mun and Amin was excellent.From there, Kennedy topically discusses the Abbysid Near East - the building of the city of Baghdad, court life, the role and importance of poetry, economics.The utility of a topical orgnization like this makes sense, but for me it made some frustrating reading, as I found myself having to reference back and forth to gain a better chronological perspective of what was going on.

I give _When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World_ four stars primarily for Kennedy's writing - clearly he intended this book for the lay-person, and he succeeded brilliantly in outlining the importance and relevance of the 150 year reign of the Abbysids politically, socially and economically.In brief, the Abbysids standardized Islam, encouraged the development of the four major legal interpretations of shari'a, and made Islam (politically and intellectually) an inheiritor of classical Greek, Latin and Persian knowledge.Recommended for those with a specific interest in the region or the time. ... Read more

Product Description
Exploring the increasing impact of the Internet on Muslims around the world, this book sheds new light on the nature of contemporary Islamic discourse, identity, and community.

The Internet has profoundly shaped how both Muslims and non-Muslims perceive Islam and how Islamic societies and networks are evolving and shifting in the twenty-first century, says Gary Bunt. While Islamic society has deep historical patterns of global exchange, the Internet has transformed how many Muslims practice the duties and rituals of Islam. A place of religious instruction may exist solely in the virtual world, for example, or a community may gather only online. Drawing on more than a decade of online research, Bunt shows how social-networking sites, blogs, and other "cyber-Islamic environments" have exposed Muslims to new influences outside the traditional spheres of Islamic knowledge and authority. Furthermore, the Internet has dramatically influenced forms of Islamic activism and radicalization, including jihad-oriented campaigns by networks such as al-Qaeda.

By surveying the broad spectrum of approaches used to present dimensions of Islamic social, spiritual, and political life on the Internet, iMuslims encourages diverse understandings of online Islam and of Islam generally. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Muslim Islamist Websites
"iMuslims" by Gary Bunt is very useful for understanding how the internet is impacting how young Muslims receive secular information from non-Islamist websites.The author exposes not only how various Islamic-religious websites provide basic information about Islam to inquiring minds, but also how the internet threatens the Wahabbi-Islamist establishment as Muslim youths and unhappy Muslim husbands gain access to `cybersex' websites that Islamic-moral guardians find objectionable.Muslim women may divorce their husbands upon discovering their husband has been `voyagering' on cybersex websites in search for an additional wife, catching them in other acts of infidelity by seeking a `virtual girlfriend', or posting pornographic photographs of themselves on Muslim dating websites (p. 66-67).The author discusses how Middle Eastern governments attempt to censor websites promoting political reform.The author notes various websites that have published the Quran on-line, and which ones inform a reader whether a surah (chapter) originated in either Mecca or Medina.Even the Egyptian al-Azhar University Library has an English-language website.This book lists various "Holy Warrior Jihad' website addresses, and posts a few militant photographs from them.The author notes how a web-surfer can research behavioral norms from the ahadith that are posted on line. Bunt notes that "diverse gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual individuals...who identify themselves as Muslims have had an active presence online" (p. 111).The author discusses "researching [militant] jihadi networks in cyberspace" beginning on page 179, and notes that the U.S. Army at West Point has `The Militant Ideology Atlas' which publishes jihadi writings online, and he notes the MEMRI translation website, too.The author has a 60-page long chapter titled "Militaristic Jihad in Cyberspace" and other 30-page "Digital Jihadi Batlefields" chapter pertaining to Iraq and Palestine resistance-movement websites.A very informative read regarding Islamist cyberspace. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

An Excellent Introductory Survey
TREASURES OF ISLAM: ARTISTIC GLORIES OF THE MUSLIM WORLD is indeed "a wealth of glorious" photographs:Of the 166, most of which I've not seen elsewhere, 75 are at least a full page each.While there is no Search-Inside feature to allow you to sample them, another book in the series, Treasures of the Andes, does have one.And what you can see there is equal to what awaits you in this book, albeit there are no photographs of landscapes in "T. of Islam." Likewise comparable is the well-written, non-academic prose of the texts.

Had this bookbeen available when I was just beginning to study the subject, I would have bought it without hesitation, for I've not found another book that provides such an easy-to-digest, "excellent introduction" to the artistry the religion inspired over the centuries.And what Publishers Weekly describes as the book's "cursory history of Islam's empires and dynasties" is perfect for the neophyte, who is unlikely to want to drown in historical detail. As for those who have read in-depth histories--I, for one, so appreciated the excellent summary that this book gave me of all I've read that I've finally succumbed to temptation and bought my own copy.

To better help you determine if this is a book you wish to purchase, I have detailed the Table of Contents in the first "comment" on this review. But lest it is less than obvious, be aware that while all Islamic arts are covered, the glories of the architecture are featured, as can be evidenced by the fact that almost half the book's photographs are devoted to them.(There are 22 one-to-two-page shots of entire structures, 16 full-page ones of architectural details, and 43 of structures and details that are often a half-page in size.)

NOTE: If you are especially interested in Islamic architecture, I'd highly recommend Splendors of Islam: Architecture, Decoration and Design and The Mosque: History, Architectural Development & Regional Diversity.

Treasures of Islam
Recently purchased this book, the beautifully artistic and detailed turquoise cover is what I noticed first. But mostly, Islam just fascinates me and I love learning about each glorious aspect of it. This book is quite big, and the pages and pictures are glossy and beautiful, capturing each detail of Islamic art. It's not only photos though. In fact, there is more writing, which chronicles the history of Islam's artistic glories. I would recommend this book for any major Islam/History/Art/or Architecture buff. ... Read more

Product Description
Their clothing is often distinctive. Their values are strongly held. They love their families. They comprise nearly one-tenth of the world's population, and they live everywhere around the globe. These are women of Muslim background. Many still belong to Islam, but some now belong to Christ.In Daughters of Islam Miriam Adeney introduces you to women like Ladan, Khadija and Fatma. You'll learn about their lives, questions and hopes. You'll learn how they are both representative of and unique among their Arab, Iranian, Southeast Asian and African sisters. And you'll discover what has drawn them to Christ.Adeney explores the many interwoven threads that make up daily experience for Ladan, Khadija, Fatma and their sisters, including

• sexuality, singleness and marriage
• children and extended family
• finances
• religious tradition and practice
• teaching and learning styles

Customer Reviews (8)

Rare insight into Muslim Women Who Follow Jesus
I was introduced to this book by a speaker at a Harvard University class.What struck me was the compassion that the author, who is an anthropologist, has for these women whose stories she tells.These are women who hail from a bevy of countries, continents, and cultures, a veritable feast for the spiritually and culturally interested.

If you're a Christian or Jew or agnostic or missionary or atheist or anthropologist (or whomever) who wants to learn more about women with Muslim backgrounds, or a Muslim who wants to understand more about Muslims in other countries who look for meaning to Jesus, this book is a treasure.

Reflections on women and Islam from a missional Christian perspective
As of posting this, I see a lot of very polarized reviews on this book. There are Christians who want to understand Muslim women in order to share their religion, and there non-Christians who feel that a book directed towards Muslim conversion is disrespectful. I'll try to stay more in the middle here!

I enjoyed reading the stories in this book. There are dozens of life stories from women who have converted from Islam to Christianity in Africa, the USA, and the Arab world. In between these stories are reflections on the challenges of family, money, education, and culture as experienced by some women in the Arab world. Miriam Adeney, a Christian anthropologist, has interviewed these women over seven years by traveling all around the world, and as a trained anthropologist she tries to be sensitive to their perspectives and the context in which they live, while being open about her own views.

Most missional Christians will find this book sensitive and loving towards people that God would like them to invite into their religious community. And yet I understand how this can be upsetting to Muslims, written by an outsider with desires and goals contrary to their own -- a Muslim book about Christians who converted to the wonderful life of Islam would be similarly upsetting to many Christians.

However, I would remind prospective readers that Adeney's audience is Christians who want to form relationships with Muslims, and for them, she writes beautiful stories that humanize Muslims for those of us who live in the West, an environment often quite negative towards Islam. These stories draw us away from stereotypes of terrorists and victims, and lead us into insight on what it means to be a woman making decision about her life, what it means to convert, and the respect and care that any religious person needs if they hope to invite someone from another faith to learn more about their own.

A book very well done!

Heart-warming
I really enjoyed this book.The stories are heart-warming... and from my limited knowledge, characteristic of what Muslim ladies face.It treats them with honor and respect.Additionally, the author has decades of experience.

I recommend it.

Fair, compassionate, and honest.
I am not sure what book the critics below have been reading, but it is hard to believe it was this one.The most recent reviewer has nothing at all to say about the book.Another complains that Adeney has "cherry-picked" problems in Islamic societies: "I can also list all the ills in the Western society and blame it on Christianity . . . "But Adeney specifically admits that "Muslims are appalled at Western family life," with good reason, and that "millions" of Muslim women enjoy loving families.So who is this critic arguing with? (As for the critic's claim that Christianity had nothing to do with the high status of women in "Christendom," see my Jesus and the Religions of Man for detailed evidence to the contrary.)

A third critic calls Daughters of Islam "misleading and offensive because it "generalizes" Muslim women by telling "a few sad stories and makes it seem that all Muslim women are oppressed, stupid, and in need of God."This is ridiculous.Miriam Adeney has got to be about the last person on earth
to portray Muslim women as "stupid.""Oppressed?"Again, she explicitly denies this is true of "all" Muslim women; but who can honestly deny that it is true of many?A 1988 UN survey of the status of women around the world that made no explicit reference to religion, yet the countries it found had the lowest status for women were mostly Muslim.It is one thing to decry over-generalizations; another to pretend that generalizations have no force at all.

Daughters of Islam is an honest book written by a kind and personable anthropologist.It's primary audience is Christians who want to "reach Muslim women for Christ," as they put it. The book is well-written and engaging, full of lively stories.The author does not begin with ideology, but from the grass-roots, with stories, with people whose lives she describes.Miriam Adeney is the last thing in the world from an ideologue, but she does think Muslim women can profit from meeting Jesus.If that offends you, it may take a special effort to be sure the book you read is actually the one she wrote.

not another one of those!
Suprise suprise Author of this book. Incase you didnt know there is a huge difference between tradition and religion. An arab proverb doesnt make it an Islamic proverb. The indian culture of woman staying at home COOKING all day does not make it Islamic. Being a muslim women, in a western country i can give you an honest view of Islam and women. Infact ive ranted and raved about it before. Just one question, Are nuns oppressed? They proberbly are because of their conservitive dressing, just like us muslims!

Oh no, my mum, sisters, and litterally hundreds of other women I know wear the veil, because THEY WANT TO. They feel liberated, secure and tresured.

Im so tired of repeating myself ( my other reviews) but a muslim women treated in the way that ISLAM teaches you to teach her is anything but oppressed. Blame it on a misunderstanding or whatever you want to.

Why then do we learn that under the feet of a MOTHER lies paradise.

Why then does a hadeeth( saying) of the prophet quote " man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be
treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man
said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is
next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is
next?" The Prophet said, "Your father."

This is an authentic unfabricated saying of the Prophet Muhammed (may peace be upon him)
And as you know we muslims havnt added or subtraced a single verse from the quraan ever since it was revealed, unlike the bible might i add. The same goes for the Hadeeth.

Why then did yvonne ridely ( the journilist) who after being held hostage by the taliban,the very same so called women abusers, realise that she was treated with such respect, and upon entering the "western" society, see the blatent truth about the treatment of women and the west? Its in her book, read it! Stockholm Syndrome? Neither she nor I thinks so!
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The history of Sunni theology is little known, but the impact of its demise has profoundly shaped modern Islam. This book explores the correlation between anti-theological thought and the rise of Islamism in the twentieth century by examining Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and the leadership of Umar al-Tilmisani (d. 1986). The sociopolitical implications of anti-theological creedalism and its postcolonial intermarriage with the modern nation-state are also analyzed. Ultimately, this study seeks to know whether a revival of Sunni theology, as a rational discourse on religion, can dilute the absolutism of increasingly pervasive Islamist thought in the contemporary Muslim world.

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Seven Doors to Islam reveals the religious worldview and spiritual tradition of the world's one billion Muslims. Spanning the breadth of Islamic civilization from Morocco to Indonesia, this book demonstrates how Muslims have used the literary and visual arts in all their richness and diversity to communicate religious values. Each of the seven chapters opens a "door" that leads progressively closer to the very heart of Islam, from the foundational revelation in the Qur'an to the transcendent experience of the Sufi mystics. However, unlike most studies of Islam, which see spirituality as the concern of a minority of mystical seekers, Seven Doors demonstrates its central role in every aspect of the Islamic tradition. ... Read more

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The other Face of Islam
The cataclysmic events both inside and outside the Muslim world since 9/11 have caused some serious collateral damage. Inter-religious dialogue has suffered a severe setback as a result of the increased antagonism between Muslims and non-Muslims. Especially progressive Muslim thinkers are now in an even less enviable position than before. In their attempts to find ouvertures these potential bridge-builders between modern western thought and Islamic discourse are often vilified by less open-minded fellow Muslims. In today�s climate poisoned with suspicion, these intellectuals face a real danger ofbeing stonewalled or considered mere apologists in the West as well.

The only way out of this deadlock of mistrust is to take note of the views and ideas of these often original thinkers. "Islam and Modernity: Muslim Intellectuals Respond" is a volume of essays in whichsome innovative Muslim thinkers are either presented and interpreted by Islamic studies specialists or given opportunity to speak for themselves.

After an introduction by Derek Hopwood, sketching the intellectual climate in which the debate on cultural heritage and response to outside influences is grounded in the world of Islam, followed by an essay on modernist influences on 19th century Urdu literature, John Cooper analyzes the contributions of Iran�s controversial philosopher of science, �Abd al-Karim Soroush, to the debate on the �Islamization of knowledge�. A pharmacologist by training, Soroush also engages in penetrating studies of traditionalism and Islamic philosophy. Although he was very much involved in the educational reforms taking place in the wake ofIran�s Islamic revolution, Soroush has nevertheless been able to retain an independent intellectual stand. Cooper explains that he succeeded in doing so because �[h]e began to present a more personalized discourse, in which his intellectual autobiography came to figure prominently [..]�. In his argumentations for new trajectories towards knowledge Soroush uses elements from the entire Islamic intellectual spectrum: Persian poetry, ideas borrowed from revivalism, mysticism, and scriptural studies are employed to trace genealogies and suggest a new Islamic epistemology.

Andreas Christmann presents a micro-level study of the Damascus-based preacher Shaikh Muhammad Sa�id Ramadan al-Buti. The essay is based on field-work in which he has researched the biography of this representative of the traditional �ulama or religious scholars, and the influences his ideas have had, mainly through the modern media of radio and TV.

Nadia Abu-Zahra�s survey of the liberal writer on Islam, Husayn Ahmed Amin, shows that his main focus is on the importance of correct knowledge of Islamic history and consideration for social circumstances in the development and implementation of Islamic law or Shari�a. Together these will make Muslims aware that Shari�a law developed centuries ago and that its stipulations have failed to keep pace with new social conditions. In adapting to these new circumstances, Muslims can enhance their confidence in their Islamic identity. That such a reform has failed sofar is, among others, due to the misconception ofthe Prophet�s infallibility, ignoring the fact that many of the Prophet�s actions were driven by political and economic interests, and the isolationist attitudes of later generations of jurists. In a detailed analysis of Amin�s argumentation on the basis of historical and scriptural studies, the author points out several inconsistencies in Amin�s reasonings.

The Sudanese reformist Mahmud Muhammad Taha has paid the ultimate price for his modernist thinking: in 1985 he was condemned to death on charges of apostasy and executed. Mohamed Mahmoud�s essay focusses mainly on the thinker�s most influential work: �The Second Message of Islam�. Taha may be characterized as a universalist and gnostic, as suchhis thought was not so different from certain strands of Sufism.
Taha�s philosophy is permeated by two interrelated problems: the relationship between individual and society, and man�s relationship to the universe. Taha�s starting point that �in Islam the individual is the end. Everything else, including the Qur�an and the religion of Islam itself, are means to that end.�, makes him a true humanist. Further on Mohamad Mahmoud explains that Taha�s evolutionary perspective on religion induces him to take Islam as a living, endless process rather than a doctrine pregnant with dogmatism.
The author then takes us through some intriguing concepts that Taha�s philosophy touched upon: original and subsidiary revelations, jihad, gender, slavery, the position of democracy.

According to Ronald Nettler, Tunesian-born mediaevist Mohamed Talbi has made a significant contribution to modernist Islamic religious thought in the later half of the twentieth century. Central themes in Talbi�s thinking are the contextuality of scriptural exegesis, man�s innate pluralism, and the provisionality of all knowledge. Interestingly, Talbi acknowledges his intellectual debt to the Christian theologian Hans Kueng for his views on interreligious relations.

The Moroccan Mohamed Abed Jabri is a professional philosopher, who has engaged in the debate on how Muslims canaccommodate concepts like democracy and human rights in their conceptional world. Central to his thinking are notions such as ethical princple and rationality. Abdou Filali-Ansari�s essay contains an interesting exposition on Jabri�s view of secularism, serving as an illustration of the invasion ofthe theological field by �secular� intellectuals.

From a similar mold, but decidedly post-modernist in tone, is the essay by Mohammed Arkoun, an expert on Islamic philosophy. He makes a case for differentiation between �Qur�an-as-fact� and �Islam-as-fact� on the basis of historical, sociological and linguistic research, without losing sight of the influence that ideologies have on the formation of �meaning�.

Another thinker who has suffered the consequences of his innovative approaches to Islamic studies is Nasr Hamid Abu Zaid, who had to seek refuge in the Netherlands after being sued for apostasy in Egypt. He suggests that semiotic methods can be fruitfully applied to the study of Qur�an. His essay, dealing with the textuality of the Qur�an, illuminates Islamic notions of �text�, �language� and �semantics�. He emphasizes, however, that textual particularities must be studied in their historical context,and that the text�s interpretation is absolutely human and therefore infinitely diverse.

All in all, this collection of essays makes an excellent companion volume to any of the vast number of books on political Islam. ... Read more