Preliminary Table of Contents:
List of Maps and Illustrations
Preface
Introduction
1. Muhammad Messenger of God
2. Islam in History
3. Muslim Groups
4. Qur'an
5. Sunnah, Hadith, and Shari 'ah
6. Faith and Action
7. Observances and Festivals
Appendix 1: Key Dates
Appendix 2: Muslim Dynasties
Appendix 3: Ninety-Nine Names of God
Glossary
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Choice Outstanding Academic Title (2005)
S. A. Nigosian is Research Associate at the University of Toronto, Victoria College, and author of Judaism: The Way of Holiness; The Zoroastrian Faith: Tradition and Modern Research; Occultism in the Old Testament; and World Religions: A Historical Approach.
Nigosian (Univ. of Toronto) has written a remarkable book. Though
one might quibble over the omission of any meaningful discussion of
fiqh (at least it's in the glossary) or object to glib treatment of
some rather controversial topics (the influence of the Night
Journey and Ascension literature on Dante is not as cut and dried
as the author repeatedly asserts), this panoramic overview of Islam
is refreshing in its conciseness and logical order of presentation.
Succinct discussions of complicated topics, such as the origins and
development of Shi'ism, the causes of Ottoman decline, the
phenomenon of jihad, moral and social behavior of Muslims, women's
religious duties, Islamic feminism, and observances and festivals,
all merit especial praise. In addition, there is a seminal
theological comparison of Islam to Christianity (normally not
included in a work such as this), a discussion that does not gloss
over important differences or sugarcoat the rough edges that
religious traditions often exhibit. There are a few misstatements
of fact (the third surah of the Qur'an is not entitled Ali Imran).
The occasional typographical errors, appearing mostly in relation
to the author's own system of transliteration, are relatively
minor. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers and
lower—level undergraduates.
*Choice*
Nigosian (Univ. of Toronto) has written a remarkable book. . . .
this panoramic overview of Islam is refreshing in its conciseness
and logical order of presentation. . . . Highly recommended.
General readers and lower-level undergraduates.November 2004
*Choice*
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