Author: Roland E Miller
Publisher: Orient Longman
Year: 2000
Language: English
Pages: 429
ISBN/UPC (if available): 81-250-1851-4
Description
The primary purpose of this book is to enable non-Muslims to understand Islam more easily, and to help foster friendly relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.
This book, while academically sound, is written for the general public. It aims to make the Islamic reality more accessible to them, by presenting Islam imaginatively from a Muslim perspective. It personalizes the explanation through descriptions of a typical Muslim family and their relation to the themes discussed, In the produces, we are given not only an introduction to the history, beliefs and practices of the religion, but a warmly human contact with the faith and feelings of those who practices it.
Contents
Transliteration System
Preface
CHAPTER I
MEET MY MUSLIM FRIENDS
Friendship and the study of Islam. Meet Abdulla and Amina. Salaam aleikum!
CHAPTER II
MUSLIM POPULATION : A WORLD OF PEOPLES, A COMMUNITY OF FAITH
The Global nature of Islam. Muslim demographics. The Muslim sense of religious family.
CHAPTER III
MY MUSLIM FRIENDS BELIEVE IN GOD
The Faith. The mosque. The nature of Allah. The beautiful names. Divine attributes.
CHAPTER IV
THE WORLD AND HUMANITY BELONG TO GOD
God is connected with the world. Creation.
God's relation with the world and people.
Our response to God
CHAPTER V
MY MUSLIM FRIEND HONORS THE PROPHET
The honored place of Muhammad. Pre-Islamic Arabia. Jews and Christians. Muhammad's early life and career. Gabriel and the first Revelation
CHAPTER VI
THE PROPHET IN MECCA : STRUGGLE AND TRIAL
The message is proclaimed. Six primary themes.
The response of the Meccans. Struggle and trial
CHAPTER VII
THE PROPHET IN MEDINA : TRIUMPH AND ADVANCE
Muhammad as a statesman. The Constitution of Medina.
Six problems met and solved. Mecca is overcome.
Personality and death of the Prophet.
CHAPTER VIII
MY MUSLIM FRIEND ADHERES TO THE QUR'AN
Its high place and names. Its origin, arrangement, and language. Its teaching and study. The development of clergy and their expositions.
CHAPTER IX
INTERPRETING THE QUR'AN : HADITH AND OTHER SOURCES OF FAITH
Who has the right to intepret ? Hadith and sunna
Analogy and consensus. What is the correct interpretation ?
CHAPTER X
THE TAPESTRY OF FAITH : BASIC MUSLIM BELIEFS AND THE DESTINY OF BELIEVERS
Angels, Prophets. Sacred books. Day of judgment. Sin and salvation in Islam. Heaven and hell
CHAPTER XI
THE PILLARS OF OBEDIENCE : THE BASIC MUSLIM DEVOTIONAL PRACTICES
Confession of faith, Prayer, Fasting. Almsgiving. Pigrimage
CHAPTER XII
MUSLIM PIETY AND SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE : TAQWA AND JIHAD
The life of piety and righteousness. The struggle against evil and the issue of violence
CHAPTER XIII
MY MUSLIM FRIEND LIVES BY THE LAW
The law feeling and law as a way of life. The origin and nature of the Shari'a. Its principles. How it works. Its history and reform.
CHAPTER XIV
THE MUSLIM RHYTHM OF LIFE : FESTIVALS, FAMILY AND RITES OF PASSAGE
The Muslim calendar, Major and minor festivals, Birth, circumcision, marriage. The family : women and children
CHAPTER XV
HISTORY AND HEROES : MY MUSLIM FRIENDS ARE PROUD
The first four heroes : Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali. The first three heroines : Khandija, 'A' isha, Fatima, Husain and Kerbela.
CHAPTER XVI
MUSLIM HISTORY UNFOLDS : THE SHAPING OF ISLAM AND ITS MEMORIES
The remarkable spread of Islam. Relations with other religions.
The Muslim world expands and divides. From Ummayads to Ottomans. Muslims face the present.
CHAPTER XVII
GLIMPSES OF MUSLIM THOUGHT : SUNNI, SHI'A AND SUFI
An overview. The Practical Questions : authentic leadership, authentic faith. The intellectual Questions : theology and philosophy; al-Ash'ari. The Spiritual Questions : Sufis and saints; al-Ghazali.
CHAPTER XVIII
MY FRIENDS HAVE FEARS AND HOPE
Muslims have fears and hopes. Abdulla and Amina and their children face the future.
Appendix A : Muslim Population : World and Country
Appendix B : Glossary of Terms
Bibliography
Index