Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Foreword Preface Preface to the First Edition Maps 1. Many Paths to One God: Establishing the Ideals The Quran The Quran and Other Scriptures Themes of the Quran The Exemplary Life of Muhammad, Prophet of Islam: The Sunna The Early Muslim Community and the Pillars of Islam The Successors ("Caliphs") Early Communal Disputes Conclusion 2. The Pursuit of Knowledge in the Service of God and Humanity: The Golden Age Institutions Law Political Structure Cultural Achievements Spirituality and the Mystical Tradition: Sufism Conclusion 3. Division and Reorganization The Crusades and Other Disasters The Decline of the Abbasids and Rise of the Ottomans Persia: The Safavid Empire India and the Rise of the Mughals Understanding Developments in Islamic History Conclusion 4. Colonialism and Reform Colonialism The Outcome of World War I The Effects of Colonialism: The Challenge of Islamic Reform Themes of Islamic Reform: Personal Initiative and Social Solidarity Themes of Islamic Reform: Ijtihad Themes of Islamic Reform: Commitment to Learning Conclusion 5. Obstacles and Prospects for Islamic Reform Obstacles: The Impact of Colonialism Prospects for the Future Islam, Human Rights, and Democracy Islam among World Religions Notes Further Reading Source Acknowledgments Index

About the Author

Tamara Sonn is the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of Humanities in the Department of Religious Studies at the College of William & Mary. She is the author of numerous books, including Interpreting Islam (1996) and Comparing Religions through Law (with J. Neusner, 1999), and is co-editor-in-chief of the Wiley-Blackwell online journal, Religion Compass .