Islam: A Very Short IntroductionIslam features widely in the news, often in its most militant versions, but few people in the non-Muslim world really understand the nature of Islam. Malise Ruthven's Very Short Introduction contains essential insights into issues such as why Islam has such major divisions between movements such as the Shi'ites, the Sunnis, and the Wahhabis, and the central importance of the Shar'ia (Islamic law) in Islamic life. It also offers fresh perspectives on contemporary questions: Why is the greatest 'Jihad' (holy war) now against the enemies of Islam, rather than the struggle against evil? Can women find fulfilment in Islamic societies? How must Islam adapt as it confronts the modern world? In this new edition, Ruthven brings the text up-to-date by reflecting upon some of the most significant changes in the Muslim world in recent years; from the emergence of al-Qaeda and the attacks on New York and Washington on 9/11 and the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, to the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. Ruthven includes new material surrounding the concept of a globalized Islam, bringing into question the effects of economic globalization, the effect of international events in Middle Eastern countries, the issues surrounding Islam and democracy, and the reception and perception of Islam in the West. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
Contents
1 Islam Muslims and Islamism | 1 |
2 The Quran and the Prophet | 27 |
3 Divine unicity | 57 |
4 The Sharia and its consequences | 82 |
5 Women and family | 100 |
6 The two jihads | 126 |
The five pillars of Islam | 159 |
References | 165 |
| 169 | |
| 173 | |
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Common terms and phrases
accepted according action activity acts adopted American appear Arab argue associated authority became become believers body Brotherhood caliphate called century Christian cities civil claims commands countries cultural death Despite developed direct distinct divine doctrine early effect Egypt example faith female forces given God’s hadith historical holy human ideas Imam important individual institutions interpretation Iran Islam Islamist jihad John known later leader leadership leading less living majority Makka marriage means minority modernist mosques movements Muhammad Muslim mystical observance original Persian political position practice prayer Prophet protected question Quran reality reference regime religion religious remained revealed ritual rules sacred scholars schools sexual Shari‛a Shi‛i social societies sometimes spiritual Sufi suggests Sunna Sunni tradition ulama universal urban West Western woman women