Islam

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 512 pages
• Published by: Barron''s Educational Series
• Edition: 7th Edition March 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0764122266
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0764122262
• Book Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Product Description
Updated in a new edition, this timely study encompasses the history of an important worldwide religion, starting with its seventh-century Arabian prophet, Muhammad, and going on to describe Islam as it exists today. In this new edition, the author provides detailed information on the present day’s most militant sects and their power centers in countries that include Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Indonesia, among others. He also offers a post-September 11th analysis of motivations that inspire some extremist Islamic factions to commit terrorist acts, describes the policies and acts of Western nations that have contributed to antagonism, and describes strategies being developed by the United States and its allies toward the Islamic world in general and terrorism in particular. The author explains the Qur’an, Islam’s Holy Scripture, and describes Islamic theology, pointing out its many connections with Judaism and Christianity. He describes the core of Islamic beliefs and obligations as they apply to each believer, and discusses the religion’s several most important sects. Islam’s history is broken down according to the countries where it exists as a major political and social force. The text is supplemented with endnotes, a comprehensive glossary, a bibliography, and an index.

Back Cover Copy
This concise study looks at Islam as a world religious, cultural, and political force, beginning with its founding by the prophet Muhammad in the early seventh century A.D. Islam?s holy scripture, the Qur?an, is explained in detail, and the core of Islamic beliefs and obligations are made clear. Also explained in detail are Islam?s many sects, its relationship to Europe?s medieval Christian culture, its dissemination throughout the world, and its present worldwide religious and political dynamism. In this new edition, the author provides information on the present day?s most militant sects and their power centers in countries that include Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Indonesia, among others. He also offers a post-September 11th analysis of motivations that inspire some extremist Islamic factions.
* Footnotes * Glossary * Bibliography * Index

New in this edition: Motivations that inspire Islamic extremist factions

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Islam (Paperback) As a Christian, I always viewed Islam with skepticism. To be honest I knew some of their theology and it did not make sense to me. However, after reading MR Farah's book, I have come to understand Islam better. The Author takes you right back to the beginning and guides you through the history of Islam. You get a front-row seat on how every period and certain individuals have influenced this world religion. I wish there was a book like this on Christianity! The book is unbiased in it's presentation of facts. You also understand alot better the rivalries between the sunnies and Shia muslims (and how it came to be) and the various sects of Islam that have come and gone. A very well written book, altough I only gave 4 stars because sometimes you get lost in the details of the story and the author does occasionally go on to unrelated side stories which seem irrelevant. Otherwise a very good book to understand islam better (even if [like me] you aren't interested in becoming a Muslim).