Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice - Diane Morgan

Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice is the ideal beginnerOs resource on the core elements of a faith that, like Christianity and Judaism, offers a guide to holy living and a path to salvation—one that like other world faiths has inspired peace and war, tolerance and brutality, enlightenment and abysmal ignorance.

Essential Islam offers an insightful, objective look at Islam from its inception to the present day, including a discussion of Islamic beliefs about God, history, warfare, marriage, the afterlife, and the relationship between Islam and other faiths. It is a rich source for dispelling misconceptions—for example, only 10 percent of Muslims are Arabic, and only a quarter of those reside in the Middle East—and for understanding tensions between groups within and outside Islam. More importantly, it gives readers a portrait of Islam not as a religion of extremists, but as a dynamic living faith practiced by people of all kinds in virtually every corner of the world.

Summary: Especially appropriate and recommended for both academic and community library Islamic Studies reference collections
Rating: 5

Fully one-quarter of the Earth's population is Muslim, holding allegiance to the Abrahamic faith called Islam. Fundamentalist Muslim terrorists are to Islam what fundamentalist preachers like Jim Jones or priests like Torquemada or groups like the Klu Klux Klan are to Christianity. That's why, especially because of what's presently happening around the world, "Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice" by Diane Morgan (Adjunct Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania) is so timely and needed. Especially recommended for non-specialist general readers wanting a solid overview of one of the world's most prominent religions in general, as well as western students of Islam in particular, "Essential Islam" is a superbly presented history from inception of Islam under the prophet Mohammad, and through its various factions and evolutions down to the present day. Of special note is that Islam is not restricted to the Middle East, but adherents are to be found in every nation around the globe. Enhanced with the inclusion of a glossary, a selected bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Essential Islam" is especially appropriate and recommended for both academic and community library Islamic Studies reference collections.

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