A Dictionary of Islam

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 762 pages
• Published by: Laurier Books Ltd. June 1996
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 8120606728
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-8120606722
• Book Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.6 inches
• Weighs: 2.1 pounds

Reader Reviews
This review is from: A Dictionary of Islam: Being a Cyclopaedia of the Doctrines, Rites, Ceremonies and Customs, Together With the Technical and Theological Terms, of th (Hardcover) Thomas Patrick Hughes published this encyclopedic dictionary of Islam in 1886, and it has not grown stale with the passing of time. If anything, the encyclopedic nature of the book makes it an imperative addition to the bookshelf of anyone studying or writing about Islam today. As reviewers of another edition have noted, although Hughes was a western church man, his understanding of Islam is vast and deep. For every definition, he goes to original Islamic sources and scholars to flesh them out. Especially in the case of key definitions, he takes great pains. Take the definition of Jihad. This goes on for nearly six (double columned) pages and includes the basis of jihad, its sources from the Koran, a synopsis of long chapters in the traditions (Hadith), as well as teachings of the four main schools of Sunni Islam, Hanafi, Maliki, Sha'afi and Hanbali. Jihad is technically "a striving," but is known primarily as striving to "a religious war with those who are unbelievers in the mission of Muhammad. It is an incumbent religious duty, established in the Qu'ran and the traditions as a divine institution, and enjoined especially for the purpose of advancing Islam and of repelling evil from Muslims." When an infidel's country is conquered by Muslims, its inhabitants have three alternatives--to adopt Islam, in which case the people become "enfranchised citizens," to pay a poll tax (jizya), or death by the sword. The definition contains many of the details as to how and where that holy war must be carried out. The same detail, and more than four pages, are alloted to the definition of Masjid (mosque). Once a property or land has been a mosque or belonged to Muslims, it is considered forever Islamic and cannot be sold or decommissioned. There is no arguing with the authenticity of these definitions, just as there is no arguing with most of the contents of this priceless work. This edition is apparently the only hardbound one currently extant. The sole other edition presently available is that of Kazi Publications, the U.S. publishing house of the Saudi government. If you want the book, but don't want to promote Wahabbi Islam, buy this one. --Alyssa A. Lappen Comment | | (Report this)