Islam (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Fazlur Rahman's Islam is aptly titled, in that this slim volume constitutes an incisive and surprisingly comprehensive history and analysis of Islam—its history, its conflicts, its legacy—and its prospects. From Mohammed to the late twentieth century, Rahman traces the development of Islam as a religion and, more importantly, as an intellectual tradition, offering both an easily understood introduction to the faith and an impassioned argument for its future direction.

From the Inside Flap

A new foreword, by John E. Woods, offers a reappraisal of Rahman's life and thought after the events of fall 2001.

This incisive, surprisingly comprehensive volume is both a history and an analysis of Islam: from Mohammed's time to the late twentieth century, Rahman traces the development of Islam as a religion and as an intellectual tradition, offering both an easily understood introduction to the faith and an impassioned argument for its future direction.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 2 edition (August 15, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226702812
• ISBN-13: 978-0226702810
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,556 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Work but a Little Dry, October 22, 2001

By	Michael Brendan Dougherty (Brewster, NY) - See all my reviews

This book is a handy book in learning about Islam, its doctrine and history. Rahman's approach is at once senstitive sociologically and also a little apolotgetic at times. This book is written by an intelligent "insider" It does not address questions about terrorism and should not be read as a way of informing a personal hatred against Muslims but should be read and is best read as a book that introduces readers in an understandable fashion to one of the world's "great" religions and agents for cultural expression and change. This book is about a religion- its theology, philosophy, sects, and its history- not radical anti-Western political movements.
My criticisms of this book are light- it is a bit dry and a bit academic at times. Also the typeface is sometimes a bit hard on the eyes but not annoyingly so. But overall it is a great work and a classic on a great religion and I highly recommend it for all those who would like to begin learning about Islam.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good intro. to Islam, September 22, 2000

By A Customer

This is a great book for someone looking to learn Islamic basics. It is easy to read, yet doesn't compromise on accurate information and detail. A good book for a new convert to Islam, or simply for someone studying comparitive religion. This book is often used in an introduction course on Islam at Georgetown University.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best intros to Islam, May 21, 2002

By	Omer M. Mozaffar (Chicago) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's written for someone with some knowledge of the basics of Islam. Extremely well-organized, highly analytical and scholarly. It ranks with "Islam and the Destiny of Man" as the best intros.