A Concise Encyclopedia of Islam

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 256 pages
• Published by: Oneworld Publications June 25, 2002
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1851682953
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1851682959
• Book Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Weighs: 13.1 ounces

From Publishers Weekly
Interest in Islam is at an all-time high, and beginners who seek basic information about this world faith tradition will find an great resource in A Concise Encyclopedia of Islam. In short alphabetical entries from the Abbasids to the practice of zakat (almsgiving), Gordon Newby presents fundamental facts about the important concepts, people, places and movements in Islam. The entries are quite short (the note on Sufism, for example, is just over forty lines long), but full of data. The appendices include a chronology, a list of the 99 divine names and a bibliography for further reading.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
This is the sixth in Oneworld's concise, helpful encyclopedias on the world's religions, following volumes on the Baha'i faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. Since each encyclopedia is the work of a single author, the style within each is consistent. This volume is formatted like others in the series. But Newby (chair, Middle Eastern studies, Emory Univ.), the author of two other books and numerous articles on the Middle East, including a "reconstruction" of the earliest biography of the Prophet Muhammad, also includes a note on transliteration and pronunciation, a map of the Muslim world, a historical introduction, a chronology, a bibliography of works easily available in most libraries, and a thematic index. The brief entries provide salient details intended for the lay reader and cover individuals, events, and places, including countries with large Muslim populations. A few black-and-white illustrations help give visual definition to certain architectural and geographical entries. One gap in Newby's book is the incomplete coverage of the various Shi'ahaimams (Zaydi and Ithna Ashariyyah), all of whom warrant at least a brief entry. This work complements Ludwig W. Adamec's Historical Dictionary of Islam, which is pitched to a slightly more academic audience and has a more extensive bibliography but lacks illustrations. Recommended for all libraries as a companion to other one-volume reference works.
William P. Collins, Library of Congress
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reader Reviews
Covering everything from Adam to Zakariyyah, this concise reference guide is designed specifically for readers and students who wish to learn more about the world's fastest-growing religion. Fully illustrated, the book contains hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries, which give succinct yet authoritative information on everything from the Qur'an and its origins to the role of Islam in the USA. With even-handed coverage of the different schools of belief, and a timeline and guide to further reading, this is an indispensable and inexpensive guide to the Islamic faith (Publisher). Brevity in description and presentation may be a laudable feature in a concise encyclopedia. Elaboration is sometimes required to block distractions and ambiguities. For instance, the book mentions Shii as a group as opposed to Sunnis. But it falls short of explaining (under the entry on Sunnis and Shi'i) what doctrines of each group are. Sunni Muslims believe that Islam is based on five pillars, namely, the profession of Faith or Iman, Salat or prayer, Saum or fasting, Zakat or alms-giving, & Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. In addition to these five pillars, Shii also consider Imamate (leadership of the descendants of the Holy Prophet, and their infallibility), Jihad (the holy war) and Taharah (cleanliness) as the pillars of Islam. A Concise Encyclopedia of Islam draws a balance in its presentation, as it aims to offer objective coverage of all the different branches and movements within Islam, including the Sunni, Shi'i and Sufi traditions. The entries in this book explain key historical moments, pinpoint important geographical locations, define concepts from jihad to the Hajj, and outline the achievements of figures from Rumi to Malcolm X. The best part of the book which I enjoyed reading is that which avoids controversial issues. The book does not take sides in its coverage of the existing shades of opinions. This is the greatest strength of the book, at a time when the Muslims, the followers of Islam, are more sinned against than sinning. The book strikes the balance and presents events in their true light. The balancing approach of the book makes it a useful resource. Besides, the book is low priced and handy in size. Given its utility as a handy annotated dictionary on Islam, it can be acquired by public libraries and area study institutions specializing in religious studies.