Islam: A Brief History, Second Edition (Wiley Desktop Editions)

✍ Scribed by Tamara Sonn

• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 250
• Edition: 2
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Reflecting recent global developments, the second edition of this illuminating introduction to Islamic history expands its coverage of the Qur’an, Sufism, and Muslim views on human rights, including the rights of women.An expanded new edition of this concise, illuminating introduction to Islam, written by one of the field’s leading scholarsSpans Islamic history from the life of Muhammad and the birth of Islamic ideals, through Islam’s phenomenal geographical expansion and cultural development, to the creation of modern states and its role in today’s global societyFeatures expanded coverage of the Qur’an, Sufism, and Muslim views on human rights, including the rights of womenIncludes fascinating vignettes of Islamic life, representing mainstream Muslim viewpoints on issues of global concernExplores the complex interrelationships of cultural, political, and ideological developments woven throughout Islamic history, drawing on specific examples including current developments in Pakistan

✦ Table of Contents

Islam......Page 5
Contents......Page 9
List of Illustrations......Page 11
Foreword......Page 12
Preface......Page 16
Preface to the First Edition......Page 19
Maps......Page 22
The Quran......Page 25
The Quran and Other Scriptures......Page 31
Themes of the Quran......Page 37
The Exemplary Life of Muhammad, Prophet of Islam: The Sunna......Page 48
The Early Muslim Community and the Pillars of Islam......Page 51
The Successors (“Caliphs”)......Page 55
Early Communal Disputes......Page 58
Conclusion......Page 60
2 The Pursuit of Knowledge in the Service of God and Humanity: The Golden Age......Page 63
Institutions......Page 64
Law......Page 65
Political Structure......Page 73
Cultural Achievements......Page 76
Spirituality and the Mystical Tradition: Sufism......Page 85
Conclusion......Page 102
The Crusades and Other Disasters......Page 103
The Decline of the Abbasids and Rise of the Ottomans......Page 110
Persia: The Safavid Empire......Page 118
India and the Rise of the Mughals......Page 122
Understanding Developments in Islamic History......Page 131
Conclusion......Page 136
Colonialism......Page 137
The Outcome of World War I......Page 147
The Effects of Colonialism: The Challenge of Islamic Reform......Page 154
Themes of Islamic Reform: Personal Initiative and Social Solidarity......Page 158
Themes of Islamic Reform: Ijtihad......Page 163
Themes of Islamic Reform: Commitment to Learning......Page 167
Conclusion......Page 169
5 Obstacles and Prospects for Islamic Reform......Page 171
Obstacles: The Impact of Colonialism......Page 172
Prospects for the Future......Page 193
Islam, Human Rights, and Democracy......Page 201
Islam among World Religions......Page 209
Notes......Page 217
Further Reading......Page 224
Source Acknowledgments......Page 228
Index......Page 230