A very short introduction, selects five of the best books on viruses for the general reader. January 2014 bulletin of the center for children s books. This word comes from the same root as the arabic word salam, which means peace. From the eighth to fifteenth century, muslim mathematicians and astronomers furthered the development of almost. Many of us have developed a new fascination for viruses and virology during the global covid19 crisis. This lively and compelling book sets out to bridge the gulfs of misunderstanding. A short introduction to the muslim world akbar ahmed isbn. A short introduction to the muslim world introductions to religion. Here, dorothy crawford, professor of medical microbiology and the author of viruses. You can also find new titles that have recently been added to the cornell university library collections in. Ibn alhaytham contributed to the new discoveries of science.
A very short introduction very short introductions. Ahmed find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. The word islam is an arabic word which means submission to the will of god. The koran has constituted a remarkably resilient core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. As the author explains, the volume developed from a bbc television series. Offers insights into the structure and beliefs of this major world religion. Because of their actions, very few nonmuslims understand the real difference between islam as it has always been, and the distorted perversions of islam today. See ten largest muslim populations in his 1993 address on islam and the west at the sheldonian theatre, oxford, prince charles acknowledged this legacy and lamented its historical neglect in the following.
Islam, argues akbar ahmed, does not mean the subordination of women, contempt for other religions, opposition to the modern world or barbaric punishments. Malise ruthvens very short introduction contains essential insights into issues such as why islam has such major divisions between movements such as the shiites, the sunnis, and the wahhabis. No religion in the modern world is as feared and misunderstood as islam. Looks at issues surrounding why islam has major divisions between movements such as the shiites, the sunnis, and the wahhabis. Top 6 introductory books about islam learn religions. In both historical and political terms, the great ottoman, safavid and mughal empires have deeply marked the successor states in turkey, iran, pakistan and india. Pdf islam a short history pdf download read online free. I was hoping to learn the religions rules and values, and while this book does touch on them, it was more like a very long history lesson. Five books you should read to better understand islam. A short introduction to the muslim world and discovering islam.
Ahmed 99 names of allah, shems friedlander 99 names of god. Lastly, islam impacted lives and landscapes wherever it went, resulting in a legacy which has shaped the world as we know it today. Muslim scholars have developed a spectrum of viewpoints on science within the context of islam. A short introduction to the muslim world, by akbar s. The best books on the essence of islam five books expert.
A former pakistani high commissioner to the uk and ireland, ahmed was a member of the civil service of. Although there are over one billion muslims in the world, and over ten. Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant versions, but few people in the nonmuslim world really understand the nature of islam. He currently holds the ibn khaldun chair of islamic studies and is professor of international relations at the american university in washington, d. Tauris about the book although there are over one billion muslims in the world, and over 10 million in the west, most discussion of islam is based on cliches or outright prejudice.
Islams presence in african history islams presence in african history dates back to the first phase of the prophet muhammads mission, when in 615 a. Its followers have spread all across the globe and with every day that passes it experiences and increase in its followers. Islam is the fastestgrowing world religion, with over ten million muslims in the west. Ahmeds highly accessible text is an ideal introduction for nonmuslims and muslims alike interested in the issues facing and raised by the muslim world. Ahmed the focus of this book is on the society and culture of islam, not on the basic fundamentals of the faith. A short introduction to the muslim world by akbar ahmed. As their number increases, so do the misunderstandings and conflicts between muslims and nonmuslims. This lively and compelling book sets out to bridge the gulf of misunderstanding. England and america, but by taking a look at the muslim world from bosnia to nigeria, and from indonesia to morocco, one can. The religion that was previously thought as to be the religion of arabia is now a universal religion and it has followers from all types of ethnic and cultural.
Akbar s ahmed an introduction to islam attemps to overcome decades of bigotry and misunderstandings as it explains the tenets of a religion practiced by more than one billion people, explaining the traditions that. Malise ruthvensvery short introductioncontains essential insights into issues such as why islam has such major divisions between movements such as the shiites, the sunnis, and the wahhabis, and. A short introduction to the muslim world by akbar s. For a complete listing of all available print and ebooks, search the online catalog. A short introduction to the muslim world introductions to religion ahmed, akbar s. A tiny minority of muslims seems to be bent on hijacking the religion of islam and bringing it into perpetual conflict with the rest of the world. Although there are over one billion muslims in the world, and over 10 million in the west, most discussion of islam is based on cliches or outright prejudice. Although there are over one billion muslims in the world, and over ten million in the west, most discussions of islam are based on cliches or outright prejudice. A short introduction to the muslim world introductions. A history of the evolution and ideals of islam, with a life of the prophet. Material in this program was adapted from four books by dr.
Best products from introduction to islam mecca books. An essentially identical hardcover version of this book was published in the u. Ahmed is a visiting professor at princeton and harvard. While this was a shortlived encounter, muslims eventually left a. A history rif the evolution and ideals rif islam, with a lift rif the prophet. A history and introduction to one of the worlds most influential religions by unknown isbn. Islam has been one of the most powerful religious, social, and political forces in history. The author tracks islam through history and civilizations, combating many false images people have about the muslim world. Islam today a short introduction to the muslim world by akbar s. Within a century, that belief had created one of historys mightiest empiresand today islam continues to shape events around the globe. It haunts the popular western imagination as an extreme faith that promotes authoritarian government, female oppression, civil war, and terrorism. Ahmed, does not mean the subordination of women, contempt for other religions, opposition to the modern world or barbaric punishments for petty crime. Two of the best books youll ever read about muhammad and the quran are also the shortest.
The name and the named, shaykh tosun bayrak aljerrahi alhalveti 101 questions and answers on islam, john renard absolute essentials of islam according to the hanafi school, faraz rabbani. They ask the nonmuslim world to acknowledge its past mistakes, and they challenge muslims to see how they must help us move beyond our current impasse. An introduction to the development of islam from its birth among the nomadic peoples of seventhcentury arabia to its present status as one of the worlds great religions. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions of the world. Over the last 1400 years, from origins in arabia, a succession of muslim polities and later empires expanded to control territories and peoples that ultimately stretched from southern france, to east africa to south east asia. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A little over thirteen centuries ago, the prophet muhammad converted a few arab desert tribes to the belief in a single god, allah, thus founding the religion of islam. A short introduction to the muslim world introductions to religion new edition by akbar s. Making sense of muslim history and society routledge, 1989. This comprehensive guide offers an informative and insightful introduction to islam both as a religion and as a politicaleconomic force. This lecture series is essential for anyone hoping to learn more about the islamic world and its people, and to understand the world in which we live. The books listed in the different sections below are merely a small selection to help you begin to go indepth in learning about and researching the topic. Within a century, that belief had created one of historys mightiest empires and today islam continues to shape events around the globe.
Islam today starts with the life of the prophet muhammad and the qurans five pillars which govern the beliefs and behaviour of muslims everywhere. The quran and islam allows for much interpretation when it comes to science. Islam, argues akbar ahmed, does not mean the subordination of women, contempt for other religions, opposition to the modern world or barbaric. In short, the quran is the book of guidance par excellence.
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