The Muslim Almanac [Hardcover]

Azim Nanji (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Not really an almanac (it has few tables or charts), this collection of articles covers Islam from its beginnings in the seventh century to the present in all parts of the world. The topically arranged signed articles range from 5 to 15 pages and were written by scholars from the U.S. and Islamic countries. Each article concludes with a bibliography, and the volume is illustrated with rather dark black-and-white photographs. A chronology of Islam and a gazetteer of nations giving the size of each's Muslim population precede the articles. A lengthy bibliography at the end of the volume is followed by a detailed index. It will be necessary to use the index to find any specific piece of information in the lengthy entries.

The four-volume Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World [RBB My 1 95] is truly an encyclopedia; one can look up specific topics such as Afterlife and Puberty Rites. It stresses the last two centuries and covers some topics not found in the almanac, such as economics (Banks and Banking). Oxford also contains biographies. Generally, though, the scope of the two works is much the same; the almanac covers the arts, science, law, the relationship of Islam with other world religions, and most other topics found in Oxford, though in broad articles, not specific entries, and with less detail. Libraries that own the Oxford Encyclopedia won't find The Muslim Almanac an essential purchase, though its articles are interesting and the book might find use in the circulating collection. Small academic libraries and public libraries that didn't buy the Oxford Encyclopedia will find the The Muslim Almanac a useful overview of this world religion, but it is not suitable for ready reference. Sandy Whiteley

Product Details

• Hardcover: 581 pages
• Publisher: Thomson Gale (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081038924X
• ISBN-13: 978-0810389243
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,652,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sufism and its historical significance in the Islamic world, January 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Muslim Almanac (Hardcover)

The section of this almanac written my scholar Carl W. Ernst makes this a valuable book in the scholarship of Sufism in the Islamic world. His ability to convey the complexity of Sufism clearly in historical, social and religious terms is evident. This is not a book for the average reader, it is a book for those who want to know details about how the Muslim faith grew and developed in the many regions of the world. While it is filled with prominent names and dates, it is not an encyclopedia so do not expect the biographies of popular figures in the Islamic world. Instead expect this book to lead you on a path yearning to know more. The bibliography is filled with excellent sources. As a result, this is not a book for the general reader but a worthy book for students interested in the broader scope of the developments in Islamic world through time.

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A biased and incomplete book on the life of prophet Mohammed, May 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Muslim Almanac (Hardcover)

My husband purchased the book for me and I looked through it. I did not find any mention of the Prophets other wives, including Ayesha, the seven year old girl whom he married at age 52 or 54. Neither any mention of his other 14-46 wives, including Zeinab, who was married to the Prophets adopted son Zaid. The book only mentioned the marriage of the Prophet to his first wife Khadijeh. The only reason I bought the book was to validate the dates of those marriages as stated in other books.