This Is Islam: From Muhammad and the Community of Believers to Islam in the Global community

by Jamal J. Elias

Overview

"This Is Islam" presents a lively introduction to a religion that has a dramatic history and plays a crucial role in the world today. Designed for people unfamiliar with Islamic beliefs, rituals, and customs, it explains the history of Islam, the importance of Islamic law, and major sects including Sunnism, Shi'ism, and Sufism. "It is vital for our schools to teach what the religion of Islam is like and how it agrees and differs from Judaism, Christianity and other world religions. 'This Is Islam' serves that purpose with calm, cool, brief and authoritative explanations of the Islamic religion and of Muslim societies with all their variations." -William McNeill, professor emeritus of history, University of Chicago; author of 'The Rise of the West' (National Book Award) and 'The Human Web.'

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781933782812
Publisher:	Berkshire Publishing Group
Publication date:	04/01/2011
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.40(d)

Editorial Reviews

Gr 9 Up—This short work aims to teach about Islam in the post 9/11 cultural climate of misconception and fear of Muslims. Elias's intent is to inform readers about the religion from a historical perspective and to avoid cultural biases. The major topics and keywords of Islamic studies are covered in comprehensive but readable chapters that are complete with pictures and graphics displaying information, quick facts, and discussion topics. The author includes a list of scholarly resources that will aid teachers and students with further research. Some chapters are oddly placed. It is difficult to see why philosophy and theology, considerably advanced topics, are discussed before more basic chapters on the pillars of Islam and mosque life. Also, there is no section specifically on Islamic art and architecture. Other chapters suffer slightly due to their brevity. In his discussion of theology, the author introduces readers to most of the major theological schools in early Islam, but curiously omits the role of the influential Hanbali theology that informs many contemporary revival and reform movements, a discussion somewhat analogous to introducing Christian theology without mentioning the Protestant reformers. Despite these minor weaknesses, the work will give readers a solid overview of Islam along with tools for further investigation.—Justin Parrott, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH

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