Fitzroy Morrissey's brilliant guide to Islamic thought – from its foundation in the seventh century to the present day. 'A magisterial accomplishment' Professor Eugene Rogan 'The best guide to Islamic thinking that I've read' James Barr 'I greatly enjoyed [it]' Peter Frankopan, Spectator, Books of the Year Day after day we read of the caliphate and the Qur'an, of Sunni and Shi'a, Salafis and Sufis. Almost a quarter of the world's populate is Muslim. Understanding the modern world requires knowing something about Islam. Tracing fourteen centuries of Islamic history – from the foundation of Islam in the seventh century and the life of Muhammad, through the growth of great Islamic empires, to the often fraught modern period – Fitzroy Morrissey considers questions of interpretation and legacy, of God and His relationship with His followers, of the lives of Muslims and how they relate to others. He presents the key teachings of the Qur'an and Hadith, analyzes the great works of Islamic theology, philosophy, and law, and delves into the mystical writings of the Sufis. He considers the impact of foreign cultures – Greek and Persian, Jewish and Christian – on early Islam, accounts for the crystallization of the Sunni and Shi'i forms of the faith, and explains the rise of intellectual trends like Islamic modernism and Islamism in recent times. In this way, Morrissey presents not a monolithic creed, but a nuanced faith made up of several often competing – and always fascinating – intellectual tendencies. This concise and engaging volume will appeal to readers looking to better understand the world's second largest religion and to those interested in the intellectual history of the last millennium and a half.

An introduction to the development of Islam from its birth among the nomadic peoples of seventh-century Arabia to its present status as one of the world's great religions. The book includes a brief account of the life and teachings of Muhammad and the creation of the Arab nation.

A theoretically rich, nuanced history of Islam and Islamic civilization with a unique sociological component This major new reference work offers a complete historical and theoretically informed view of Islam as both a religion and a sociocultural force. Uniquely comprehensive, it surveys and discusses the transformation of Muslim societies in different eras and various regions, providing a broad narrative of the historical development of Islamic civilization. This text explores the complex and varied history of the religion and its traditions. It provides an in-depth study of the diverse ways through which the religious dimension at the core of Islamic traditions has led to a distinctive type of civilizational process in history. The book illuminates the ways in which various historical forces have converged and crystallized in institutional forms at a variety of levels, embracing social, religious, legal, political, cultural, and civic dimensions. Together, the team of internationally renowned scholars move from the genesis of a new social order in 7th-century Arabia, right up to the rise of revolutionary Islamist currents in the 20th century and the varied ways in which Islam has grown and continues to pervade daily life in the Middle East and beyond. This book is essential reading for students and academics in a wide range of fields, including sociology, history, law, and political science. It will also appeal to general readers with an interest in the history of one of the world’s great religions.

The story of Islam begins with a humble man who was devoted to practicing kindness towards others, and it continues with millions of followers in many countries. Islam is an intricate, beautiful, sophisticated, morally scrupulous world religion that asks its followers above all to be mindful of others in their community. Most Muslims are peaceful people who practice a religion that calls for personal responsibility and a commitment to being a good and kind person in the world. It's no surprise that a religion as morally and ethically engaged as Islam is still a powerful force in today's world. It is responsible for uniting individuals and families in the pursuit of the values of kindness, compassion, and responsibility to others that Muhammad exemplified over 1,300 years ago. Its vivid history is not forgotten as it grows into other areas of the world, and its story continues today even when new cultural contexts result in Islam’s ongoing evolution and adaptation to local circumstances.

Very occasionally a book appears which provides a perfect bridge between amateurs and professionals. This event is usually less likely to happen in the somewhat arcane field of philosophy and almost beyond concept in the English speaking world when the subject is entwined with the history of Islam. The finer points of philosophical issues are also discussed and presented to enable anyone, whether a scholar or not, Arabic or Westerner, to understand the truths these ancients sought.

Traces the history of Muslims in the US and their waves of immigration and conversion across five centuries.

The history of the Islamic faith on the continent of Africa spans fourteen centuries. For the first time in a single volume, The History of Islam in Africa presents a detailed historic mapping of the cultural, political, geographic, and religious past of this significant presence on a continent-wide scale. Bringing together two dozen leading scholars, this comprehensive work treats the historical development of the religion in each major region and examines its effects. Without assuming prior knowledge of the subject on the part of its readers, The History of Islam in Africa is broken down into discrete areas, each devoted to a particular place or theme and each written by experts in that particular arena. The introductory chapters examine the principal “gateways” from abroad through which Islam traditionally has influenced Africans. The following two parts present overviews of Islamic history in West Africa and the Sudanic zone, and in subequatorial Africa. In the final section, the authors discuss important themes that have had an impact on Muslim communities in Africa. Designed as both a reference and a text, The History of Islam in Africa will be an essential tool for libraries, scholars, and students of this growing field. Contributors: Edward A. Alpers, René A. Bravmann, Abdin Chande, Eric Charry, Allan Christelow, Roberta Ann Dunbar, Kenneth W. Harrow, Lansiné Kaba, Lidwien Kapteijns, Nehemia Levtzion, William F. S. Miles, David Owusu-Ansah, M. N. Pearson, Randall L. Pouwels, Stefan Reichmuth, David Robinson, Peter von Sivers, Robert C.-H. Shell, Jay Spaulding, David C. Sperling with Jose H. Kagabo, Jean-Louis Triaud, Knut S. Vikør, John O. Voll, and Ivor Wilks

Milestones in the History of Islam in Eritrea is an attempt to explore the key markers of the Eritrean Islamic history. The book surveys the impacts of the early Muslim migrants, the rise of the Dahlak Sultanate, the aftereffects of the advances of Imam Ahmed Gragn, the Ottoman conquest, the emergence of the semi-autonomous Naib dynasty and the spread of Islam among the Beja tribes. The book also discusses the pivotal roles of the religious families and Sufi orders, the effects of King Yohannes IV forced conversion edict and the colonial occupation. It concludes with a discussion on the rise of Islamic institutions and the adverse impacts of the dissolution of the UN Federal Act.

The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Islam presents a concise overview of Islamic history, religion, philosophy, and Islamic political movements.