Islam Today - A Short Introduction to the Muslim World (Paperback, Revised edition)

For someone who knows little or nothing about Islam, this is an excellent introduction to its history as a religion, its empires and Muslim communities in the contemporary world. However, the author presents his case in a disingenuous way, sometimes actively misleading the reader by defining Islam in terms of its theoretical ideals rather than its actual historical practices. Nor is he altogether honest even about the ideal. For instance, Professor Ahmed claims that a Muslim woman who has been raped is treated better than a Western woman in a similar case, who has to endure a lengthy police investigation. He doesn't mention that a Muslim woman's word about rape is worthless unless she can produce witnesses who saw it happen, and that a woman's testimony, by Qur'anic law, is not equal to the testimony given by a man. The book is worth reading for the reasons outlined in the opening sentence, but should not be taken for an accurate and open account of Muslim ideals and ambitions in the contemporary world. It contributes nothing to the urgent debate on multiple identities and primary loyalties. (Kirkus UK)

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. This lively and compelling book sets out to bridge the gulfs of misunderstanding. Islam, argues Akbar Ahmed, does not mean the subordination of women, contempt for other religions, opposition to the modern world or 'barbaric punishments' for petty crime. But outsiders can understand the realities of Islamic tradition only by explaining its sources. "Islam Today" starts with the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an's five pillars which govern the beliefs and behaviour of Muslims everywhere. 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. Ahmed's highly accessible text is an ideal introduction for non-Muslims and Muslims alike interested in the issues facing and raised by the Muslim world.

General

Imprint:	I.B. Tauris
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	December 1998
First published:	March 1999
Authors:	Akbar S. Ahmed
Dimensions:	216 x 138 x 20mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	272
Edition:	Revised edition
ISBN-13:	978-1-86064-257-9
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Islam Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Ethnic studies > Islamic studies Books > Religion & Spirituality > Non-Christian religions > Islam
LSN:	1-86064-257-8
Barcode:	9781860642579

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