Product Details

• Directors: Mark Hufnail
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• VHS Release Date: February 25, 2003
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000083C6F
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,166 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #1 in	Video > Special Interests > Religion & Spirituality > Islam
  #4 in	Video > Television > History Channel
  #38 in	Video > Television > A&E Home Video

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Watching this enthralling documentary, one inevitably wonders how Islam, a beautiful religion, could have become synonymous with fear and hatred, even after 9/11. Inside Islam explores the historic and poetic wellspring of the Muslim people and illuminates startling commonalities among Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Shades of difference between Islam's foundation and that of its counterparts prove more fascinating than divisive, e.g., Islam claims a direct line with Abraham via the latter's cast-off son, Ismael, while Judaism is linked to Abraham's more favored child, Isaac. Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and the angel Gabriel each play major roles in the Quran; it was Gabriel, in fact, who transmitted the Word of God to the 40-year-old, seemingly ordinary Muhammad in the 7th century, making him extraordinary to millions today. Sure, anti-Western sentiment creeps into the story, but in every important way Inside Islam is an antidote to gross anti-Muslim bigotry. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to Islam, April 1, 2006

By	Kim Boykin (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside Islam (History Channel) (DVD)

"Inside Islam" is a 2002 documentary that provides a good introduction to Islam. I've used excerpts from it in teaching world religions to undergraduates and high school students. Topics include Islam's connections with Judaism and Christianity, the life of Muhammad, the Five Pillars of Islam (the profession of faith, prayer, charity, fasting during Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca), the history of Islam, women in Islam, European colonialism, Islamism, the Nation of Islam, and jihad.

While this documentary may not provide an entirely balanced picture of Islam (leaning heavily toward the positive), if you're looking to get a basic literacy in Islam--to understand what the central practices are, who Muhammad is, and a bit of the history of Islam--I'd highly recommend this video.

Some other good videos on Islam:
- "Muslims" (Frontline);
- "The Message," a movie about the life of Muhammad;
- "Inside Mecca" (National Geographic);
- "Secrets of the Koran" (History Channel).

And a good, readable introduction to Islam is Reza Aslan's "No god but God."

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best new titles on the subject, January 7, 2003

By A Customer

There have been a lot of bad tapes on Islam since 9/11/01. This is a GOOD one. It covers Muhammad's revelation, the growth of the religion, and cultural matters that puzzle non-Muslims. There is a touch of anti-Western bias here and there in the narration, but all in all it's a very welcome, balanced, and spiritual guide.

41 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice introduction, May 27, 2004

By	Erin (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside Islam (History Channel) (DVD)

I really enjoyed this film.
I see that the other reviewers think it was biased. The point of the film was to introduce islam to people who don't know anything about it. I thought it was a wonderful film. It was not biased. The things ommitted had cause to be left out, because not all muslims share in the beliefs(Such as death penalty, that is not in the Quran!!!). The complexities can not be explained in one single film. I thought it was a very nice introduction, and quite accurate. I have been studying a lot on Islam and I definitely recommend this DVD. Very informative and captivating speakers! Beautiful footage!