Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, there has been an overwhelming demand for information about Islam, and recent events - the war in Iraq, terrorist attacks both failed and successful, debates throughout Europe over Islamic dress, and many others - have raised new questions in the minds of policymakers and the general public. This newly updated edition of What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam is the best single source for clearly presented, objective information about these new developments, and for answers to questions about the origin and traditions of Islam. Editor of The Oxford Encyclopedia of Modern Islam and The Oxford History of Islam, and author of The Future of Islam and many other acclaimed works, John L. Esposito is one of America's leading authorities on Islam. This brief and readable book remains the first place to look for up-to-date information on the faith, customs, and political beliefs of the more than one billion people who call themselves Muslims.

Islam is a very mysterious and complex faith, one of intellectual depth in prayer and practice. It is unfortunate that the teachings of Islam have been marred by centuries of intellectual malaise, political misdirection, extremism, and disunity, leaving many spiritual wanderers both Muslim and non-Muslim to ponder a plethora of unaddressed questions about these sacred teachings. In his newest book, The Muslim Book of Why: What Everyone Should Know about Islam, author, scholar, and leading jihad theorist Warithudeen Umar highlights the concept of ijtihad in an attempt to help answer many of today's most pressing questions about Islam. Ijtihad is described as a creative and disciplined intellectual effort to derive legal rulings from Islamic sources while taking into consideration the variables brought on by the fluctuating circumstances of the Muslim world. Though the world has changed and expanded, humanity's need for these teachings viewed through the clarifying concept of ijtihad has not. To right these wrongs of gross misguidance within Muslim society, we must deconstruct history in order to discern what went wrong after the revelation of the Qur'an was shared with the world. The Muslim Book of Why seeks to do so, refocusing Muslim thought on a life of faith, family development, and worship.

Written by an American Muslim, this work presents a brief yet comprehensive survey of the basic teachings of Islam; examines how Muslims feel about various aspects of life; tells how they worship; and describes how Muslims living in the West practice their religion.

Writing from a Western Christian vantage point and bringing a unique perspective to help Christians comprehend Islam's influential beliefs and practices, Braswell provides both a complete introduction and a comprehensive reference tool to help Christians know and understand Islam's influential beliefs and practices.

From the Qur’an to Ramadan, this friendly guide introduces you to the origins, practices and beliefs of Islam Many non-Muslims have no idea that Muslims worship the same God as Christians and Jews, and that Islam preaches compassion, charity, humility, and the brotherhood of man. And the similarities don’t end there. According to Islamic teaching, Muhammad founded Islam in 610 CE after the angel Gabriel appeared to him at Mecca and told him that God had entered him among the ranks of such great biblical prophets as Abraham, Moses, and Christ. Whether you live or work alongside Muslims and want to relate to them better, or you simply want to gain a better understanding of the world’s second largest religion, Islam For Dummies can help you make sense of this religion and its appeal, including: Muhammad, the man and the legend The Five Pillars of Wisdom The Five Essentials beliefs of Islam The different branches of Islam and Islamic sects The Qur’an and Islamic law Islam throughout history and its impact around the world Professor Malcolm Clark explores the roots of Islam, how it has developed over the centuries, and it’s long and complex relationship with Christianity. He helps puts Islam in perspective as a major cultural and geopolitical force. And he provided helpful insights into, among other things: Muhammad, the Qur’an and the ethical teachings of Islam Muslim worship, customs, and rituals surrounding birth, marriage, and death Shi’ites, Sunnis, Sufis, Druze, and other important Muslim groups Islam in relation to Judaism and Christianity In these troubled times, it is important that we try to understand the belief systems of others, for through understanding comes peace. Islam For Dummies helps you build bridges of understanding between you and your neighbors in the global village. P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you’re probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Islam For Dummies (9780764555039). The book you see here shouldn’t be considered a new or updated product. But if you’re in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We’re always writing about new topics! .

The book is a comprehensive repertoire on the religion of Islam written in a simple language for people of other faiths curious to develop general grasp of this fastest growing and controversial religion. To understand Islam, one must know the importance of its two main pillars, Muhammad, its originator and Quran, the Allah's revelations to mankind, so they have received at length treatment. Details on the life of Muhammad as a person and controversies surrounding his harem, and as a prophet with his teachings and conquests are provided. The main themes of Quran including the importance of Allah and Muhammad, the story of prior prophets, Muslim laws, the rituals and doctrines, divine predestination of human life, along with debates on the Satanic verses and abrogation of some earlier verses are deliberated. Hadith and Sharia, the basis for Muslim personal, social and legal rules are reviewed. The topic of Jihad because of its current wide attention is analyzed in detail. The Quranic injunction making 'Jihad with Sword' a compulsory duty for all able-bodied Muslims, the material rewards for those engaging in Jihad in this life and the comfort and luxury including a horde of heavenly women in afterlife, historical accounts of Jihads, the rules of Jihad, and the basis for the separation of nations into the Abode of Islam, Abode of War and Abode of Peace are explained. Lures of heaven for Muslims and torment of hell for Non-Muslims are vividly described in the Quran and the sayings of Muhammad. This book does likewise. Place of women in Islamic societies is very contentious topic of discussion. Muslim laws on inheritance, punishment for adultery, weight as witness, and social customs especially veil, confinement within the house, employment, and birth control are covered to give Islamic point of view and outside assessment. In the chapter on marriage and divorce, narration centers on the institution of marriage, responsibilities of husband and wife in a marriage, temporary marriage, and different types of divorces with the particular attention to the controversial "triple talaq" where a husband can irrevocably divorce his wife by verbally announcing his intention three times. Islamic perception on moral issues such as homosexuality, nudity, alcohol and gambling, narcotics, and adoption constitute part of a separate chapter. Since Islam is the only institution of high importance which has not yet formally denounced slavery and guidelines for slave men and slave women and concubines remain part of the Quran and sayings of Muhamad, a chapter is also devoted to this topic. At the end of the book, the philosophy, messages, doctrines, and rituals of Islam are summarized. Most of the materials for the book have been sourced from the Quran, sayings of Muhammad, and the writings of imminent Islamic scholars but a small portion also procured from outside avenues. Essentially, the book provides all the information to quench the curiosity of a layperson regarding Islam.

Islam is largely blanketed by mystery and distorted by bias. This book introduces the truth of Islamic beliefs and culture. Islam is an incredibly popular religion, and the second largest in the world. What comes with such a common but elusive belief system? A curiously large amount of customs, and very intriguing, ancient beliefs. There is A LOT of intricacies about Islam.This book will give you an introductory, holistic understanding of the religion. From defining the truth of what Allah means to muslims, explaining the four stages of life, to everyday customs, this book covers it all. Both for muslims and non-muslims, you're garanteed to learn A LOT of valuable information. Here are some of your questions that will be answered! What are the five pillars of Islam?What's the story of Muhammad? Who is he?What does Islam say about Jesus?Muslims believe in Satan? What about Angels?What does Islam say about free will? What is the Ka'ba?What's the Quran and what's written in it?And much, much more...If you're looking to learn more about Islam, look no further. Whether you know nothing about the religion, or you're a muslim yourself and want more, this book will be accessable and useful to everyone.I'm so sure that you'll find it informative, that I'll happily give you a refund if you're not totally satisfied.

"Recent events have focussed attention on Islam, the often-misunderstood faith of one billion people. Westerners are showing a new openness to learning about Islam and other religions, in part perhaps because religion is arguably the single most important and volatile factor in geopolitics today. Islam needs to be understood on its own terms, John Kaltner argues." "This little Facet offers the most basic information about Islam in an accessible and sympathetic presentation. Kaltner portrays Islam as first and foremost a religion of prescribed practices - the five pillars of Islam. Showing the deep humanism of Islam and its most cherished commitments, Kaltner presents Islam through assertions that counter frequent misconceptions of the faith."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved