They constitute a 90% majority of the believers, and are considered to be main stream traditionalists. The final revelation of god came to muhammad, muslims believe, but there were. It can be the happiest and most productive time of a persons life, yet this stage of development can also be fraught with numerous psychological, sociological, and spiritual crises. While mizan took almost two decades for its completion, this abridgement understandably just took six months. The task of writing a critical and wellinformed introduction to the study of islam that includes the rise of a religious tradition, its texts, the development of the society, its institutions and. The literature on books that introduce islam is abundant, but it is felt that this book fills a void that exists in the literature. Baker, hmideastmedieval an excellent corrective to many other introductions. What everyone should know about islam and muslims free. The results are both unfair and tremendously inaccurate. Neither overly critical nor apologetic, this book reflects the rich diversity of muslim identities across the centuries and counters the unflattering, superficial portrayals. A brief introduction to islam part 1 of 2 the religion of.
The religion started with the teachings of prophet muhammad who is considered to be the messenger of. D volume one for free book service please write to. The aim of the following article is to discuss aaron w. Literate people or intelligentsia plays pivotal role in any society, thatcontrols the masses. Shortly after, in 622, the remainder of the muslims in mecca migrated to yathrib which became known as madinat alnabi, the city of the prophet. Introduction to islam tariq ramadan oxford university. An egypt air airliner crashed of the east coast of new england, with the loss of all of the lives on board. In the quran comprehensive guidance for the propagation of islam has been revealed. Apr 09, 20 as the title suggests the book is about how islam is really a broad religious movement containing many different and contradictory identities within, which all claim to be true islam. Pdf islam has been misunderstood by many muslims and. An introduction to islam by dr liyakatali takim this text explains some of the basic beliefs and practices of muslims. Islam teaches that god, allah, created the heavens and the earth.
Muslim identities across the centuries and counters the unflattering, superficial portrayals of islam that are shaping public discourse today. The word islam is an arabic word which means submission to the will of god. Rather than focus solely on theological concerns, this wellrounded introduction takes an expansive view of islamic ideology, culture, and tradition, sourcin. Most authorities believe that islam was founded by the prophet muhammad during the early 7th century ce in mecca and medina, cities located in what is now saudi arabia. When malcolm x went on the hajj and witnessed the universality of islam, he returned to america as a new man, preaching the concept of one god and one humanity. Preface in the name of god, the most merciful, the most kind. The meaning of islam and an explanation of the five pillars of islam. It also discusses some controversial issues that are frequently brought up by nonmuslims, like womens rights and the status of jesus in islam. To be a muslim fathi yakan all praises to allah, and blessings and peace to his messenger. Bernstein chair in the department of religion and classics at. A brief introduction to islam a booklet on islam made for nonmuslims who seek to learn more about the religion of islam.
Baker, hmideastmedieval an excellent corrective to many other. A truly extraordinary book the very best introduction currently available in english for nonmuslims seeking a sound approach to islam. The root of the word islam comes from silm or salam which means peace. Defining muslim discourses in the nuba mountains of the sudan leif ole manger bergen the author discusses the increased importance of islam in religious and social life in the sudan, exemplified by a discussion of the interplay between an indigenous, nonarab, nonislamized sudanese people, the lafofa. In the interests of a good understanding with our muslim subjects, we should islam and the psychology of the muslim vi. Islam is the secondlargest religion in the world today, with an estimated 1. Amazingly, even as all muslims are required to deny jesus shed blood, many believe that the first drop of blood shed by a muslim socalled martyr, may provide propitiation for the sins of seventy of his nearest and dearest friends and relatives.
A truly extraordinary book the very best introduction currently available in english for non muslims seeking a sound approach to islam. The explanation of the fundamentals of islamic belief. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. The author himself has produced this abridged version. Now, a muslim is someone who practices islam, one who submits to the will of god, and the central text in islam is the quran, which muslims believe is the revealed knowledge. Introduction the goal and motivation for writing thisbook this is a very important time for the publishing of clear and concise material about islam. Islam is a simple religion although from the outside it can sometimes appear confusing. Islam is the name of the religion established by the prophet muhammad. Expository times an elegantly written work as useful to the new student daunted by the complexity of islamic discourse as to the more experienced muslim who sometimes wonders about the difference between. Religious studies and the academic study of islam pp. Islam also means complete submission to one god and living in peace with the creator, with yourself and with the environment islam is the fastest growing religion in the world islam is not only a religion but a complete way. As already noted, the newly converted muslim has set himself upon a new path that, most likely, is very different from the path that he was on before. The name islam means submission that is, to the will of god.
Today, simply known as medina, it is the second holiest site for muslims, after mecca. An introduction to islam, the contributors to this special issue provide examples and case studies that highlight cultural. Hajj is highly spiritual but at the same time highly social and universal activity of islam. Preface this book has evolved from a presentation intended for non muslims in north america. This website is for people of various faiths who seek to understand islam and muslims. Because they are comfortable pursuing their faith within secular societies, they have been able to adapt to a variety of national cultures, while following their three sources of law. The religion of islam the origins of islam introduction 1. Hughes uniquely traces the development of islam in relation to historical, intellectual, and cultural influences, enriching his narrative with the findings.
Thus, islam is a way of life based on attaining peace through voluntary submission to god. One of the themes running through some holy books is that of scapegoating. Introduction the goal and motivation for writing this book the goal of this work is to present the new muslim with a basic guide that will help him understand and implement islam. This writing hopes to give some clear information about the misunderstanding. It is a practical demonstration of islams call for one people under one god. The one and only creation of the arabs is their religion. Another consideration here is that the concept of god in islam is distorted in the minds of many nonmuslims who are socalled believers in god and advocates of religion. And it is this religion that is the chief obstacle between them and ourselves. Hughes introduction to islam is by far the best one that i have ever read. Second, he approaches the subject from the perspective of the reductionist school of religious studies championed by russell mccutcheon. Introduction to islam tariq ramadan oxford university press. Today, islam is often pictured in a very unflattering manner in many parts of the worldnot much different than it was in the notsodistant past.
Within a century, it had expanded to cover the territory between the indus river in modernday west india to central and southern spain and portugal in the west. Islam originated around 600 ad in the central asian arabian desert and soon spread to east asia, central europe and north africa. Islam itself will convince those who are open minded to the truth, the publication is a summary of different facts of islam which are briefly and beautifully introduced. The essential teachings of islam are based on five principles, referred to as the five pillars of islam, and six fundamental beliefs, known as the six articles of faith. Murad wilfried hofmann, journal of islamic studies muslim identities is a welcome addition to the list of introductory books on islamic religion. Every aspect and every perspective of it gives guidance and wisdom.
An introduction to the muslim world, third edition lippman, thomas w. They are duty bound to spread true essence of the teachings of islam. Islam and the psychology of the muslim political islam. First, he writes well, which is often not true of academics. Introduction to islam the meaning of the words islam and muslim the arabic word islam is the verbal noun of the verb aslama. An introduction to pillars of islam and articles of faith. This theme is rarely if ever discussed in religious homilies or sermons. The author identifies many of the different strains currently seen within islam, has a chapter on the role of women and concludes with an examination of post 9. Five pillars of islam to be a muslim submission to allah. But mohammed prevents them from believing that a loving god could manifest himself in the flesh. An introduction to islam by sayyid muhammad rizvi taken from an introduction to islam, sayyid muhammad rizvi, muhammadi islamic center, canada, 19921412. People with different mental levels are present in every society. The attack on the world twin towers and the pentagon in 2001 d. Please go through the different sections of our site and learn more about this religion of more than 1 billion people.
Mankind has been created in order to come to know allah. Members are welcome to attend any mosque in any land. From one of the most prominent intellectuals in the muslim world comes a timely new introduction to one of the worlds most practicedand most misunderstoodreligions. A concise introduction is a condensed version of mizan, a comprehensive treatise on the contents of islam by the author. David waines has surely written what will deservedly be the standard introduction to islam for some time. Pdf islam has been misunderstood by many muslims and non muslim as well. Bernstein chair in the department of religion and classics at the university of rochester is an commendable attempt to introduce islam and its development and diversity across the centuries to the religious studies students. Rather than focus solely on theological concerns, this wellrounded introduction takes an expansive view of islamic ideology, culture, and tradition, sourcing a range of historical, sociological, and literary perspectives. It contains a lot of brief, yet informative articles about different aspects of islam. A brief introduction to the meaning of islam, the notion of god in islam, and his basic message to humanity through the prophets. When used with respect to god, it means, he became submissive to god. Their faith provided the muslims with complete guidance and a foundational springboard as they proceeded to attain unparalleled achievements in human rights, enfranchisement of women, military expeditions, scholarship, inventions, institutions. The religion started with the teachings of prophet muhammad who is considered to be the messenger of the one and only, formless, allpowerful god, allah.
This word comes from the same root as the arabic word salam, which means peace. Islam and muslims have garnered much of the wests attention in recent times. Introduction 9 the islamic religion deen 11 the pillars of islam 15 pillars of islam shahaadah testimony of faith 15 salaah prayer 16 zakaah alms and charity 17 sawm fasting 17 hajj pilgrimage 17. Islam is a religion which guides its followers in every aspect of their lives. Typical for his cultural anthropology approach is the juxtaposition of emic, i. Youth is a time of great change and hope for the future. For these reasons some simple and perhaps elementary demonstrations are used in this presentation. The root slm also means peace coming from the end of opposition and struggle.
In the course of making an individual muslim that is, one who is in a state of islam or submission to the one true godislam profoundly affects his thinking and behavior. An introduction to pillars of islam and articles of faith part 1 of 2 description. A brief introduction to islam part 1 of 2 the religion. Islam had transformed an ignorant society into one of the most enlightened civilizations in history. Voiceover the world islam can best be translated into english as meaning surrender, and the context of the islamic faith is referring to a surrender to the will of god.
These are followers of the hanifa, shafi, hanibal and malik schools. This verb is defined as, he resigned or submitted himself. For readers seeking a nontheological, unbiased, and richly human portrait of islam, as well as a strong grasp of islamic studys major issues and debates, this. An introduction to islam by david waines cambridge core. Its main beliefs are contained in the quran a book considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of god, as well as in the teachings and example called sunnah of the prophet muhammadpeace be upon him. Islam needs no salesman, it only needs to be presented and understood. Introduction to islam part one the sources of islam chapter 1. In frank, unapologetic language, tariq ramadan walks readers through islam and its principles, rituals, diversity, and evolution. Making extensive use of contemporary identity theory, hughes rethinks the teaching of islam and religions in general and helps facilitate a more critical approach to muslim sources.