A Dictionary of Islam (Paperback)

by Thomas Patrick Hughes (Author) "AARON. Arabic Harun (). The account given of Aaron in the Qur'an will be found in the article on Moses..." (more)
Key Phrases: Abu Bakr, Abu Hanifah, Life of Mahomet (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This is the only comprehensive Dictionary of Islam available in English being a cyclopaedia of the doctrines, rites, ceremonies, and customs together with the technical and theological terms of the Islamic faith.

Product Details

• Paperback: 760 pages
• Publisher: Kazi Publications (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935782702
• ISBN-13: 978-0935782707
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #914,923 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Survey of the Islamic Faith, December 20, 1999

By	Mohamad K. Yusuff "(moving finga!)" (Washington, DC -- USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have reviewed Thomas Hughes' Dictionary of Islam, and I have found that, despite being written by an Englishman clergyman over 100 years ago, it presents a fairly comprehensive view of the Islamic faith, based essentially on the orthodoxy of the Hanifite (madhab)-- School of Islam Law.

Most of the scriptural information contained therein come from traditional Islamic texts (such as Mishkat al Masabih, Hidaya, etc.), but several biographical sketches and translations of the Qur'anic Surahs are based on the works of Western orientalists, containing inherent biases. By and large, the traditions and rules are universal and not subject to polemics.

The lexicon undoubtedly contain vast amount of information that can only be found in other voluminous texts and encyclopedias, such as the New Encyclopedia of Islam, still under production.

This dictionary will be of great value to the lay Muslim (wanting to know more about Islam) as well as the serious student of the faith. It contains far more historic information than the Concise Encylopedia of Islam by Cyril Glass, even though I put the latter a step ahead because it prepared by a man of the faith and it is more up to date.

Nonetheless, this book would be a good addition to anyone's library. I use it all the time for quick references, especially on 'far out' topics or questions including those that may be considered 'esoteric.'

I have no hesitation in recommending this book, if only because there is no other out there (produced from Muslim sources) that is available in a comprehensive format to the lay Muslim, outside that of Cyril Glass'.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A concise encyclopedia of Islamic beliefs and practices, April 5, 1998

By A Customer

This book, written by a Christian Missionary wandering in the Indian Sub-continent in the 1800's is a very copmprehensive work on the Islamic doctrines, beliefs and practices. It practically has a definition for every Islamic term or concept that you ever wanted to know. Apart from these it also contains informative articles on the lifestyles of Muslims in the 1800's on ceremonies like marriage, birth, death and other festivals and rites. Its many illustrations and easy to read format will prove invaluable to any one who wants to learn about Islam and Muslims and will be a great gift for non-muslim friends.

5.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedic, indeed, June 27, 2009

By	Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Thomas Patrick Hughes published this encyclopedic dictionary of Islam in 1886, and it has not grown stale with the passing of time. If anything, the encyclopedic nature of the book makes it an imperative addition to the bookshelf of anyone studying or writing about Islam today.

As reviewers of another edition have noted, although Hughes was a western church man, his understanding of Islam is vast and deep. For every definition, he goes to original Islamic sources and scholars to flesh them out. Especially in the case of key definitions, he takes great pains.

Take the definition of Jihad. This goes on for nearly six (double columned) pages and includes the basis of jihad, its sources from the Koran, a synopsis of long chapters in the traditions (Hadith), as well as teachings of the four main schools of Sunni Islam, Hanafi, Maliki, Sha'afi and Hanbali.

Jihad is technically "a striving," but is known primarily as striving to "a religious war with those who are unbelievers in the mission of Muhammad. It is an incumbent religious duty, established in the Qu'ran and the traditions as a divine institution, and enjoined especially for the purpose of advancing Islam and of repelling evil from Muslims." When an infidel's country is conquered by Muslims, its inhabitants have three alternatives--to adopt Islam, in which case the people become "enfranchised citizens," to pay a poll tax (jizya), or death by the sword.

The definition contains many of the details as to how and where that holy war must be carried out. The same detail, and more than four pages, are alloted to the definition of Masjid (mosque). Once a property or land has been a mosque or belonged to Muslims, it is considered forever Islamic and cannot be sold or decommissioned.

There is no arguing with the authenticity of these definitions, just as there is no arguing with most of the contents of this priceless work.

This edition is from Kazi Publications, the U.S. publishing house of the Saudi government. If you want the book, but don't want to promote Wahabbi Islam, find another edition.

--Alyssa A. Lappen