The Thoughtful Guide to Islam

Contents: Preface. 1. The rise of Islam. 2. Faith and path. 3. The fundamentals of Islam. 4. The history and development of the religion. 5. The history of the Muslims. 6. The life of Muslims. Epilogue. Appendix: outstanding Muslims. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

"The Thoughtful Guide series is for serious spiritual seekers looking to deepen their knowledge of a particular religion. It offers not primarily text books for the library, thought they can be used as such, but accessible overviews of the history and the benefits that a particular religious practice can bring to the reader. The authors eschew fundamentalism and excessive simplifications, mapping out paths that can be followed with the mind as well as heart.

Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America, and the world, with well over a billion followers. Since September 11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the ongoing war against terror, the world has seemed to be heading inexorably towards greater confrontation between Muslim and non-Muslim cultures. At a time when communities increasingly tend to view each other with suspicion, this book cuts through the morass of misunderstanding and misinformation to give a true and timely overview of the universality and light of the prophetic message of Islam. It explains its history and development, the distinction between the original message and the traditions that have grown up around it, the life of Islam today, its potential for bringing unity, and speculates on its future. Selections from key Islamic writings make this a classic introduction to the Islamic tradition for today." (jacket)