Robert irwins top 10 books on islam and islamic culture. Islam, major world religion that emphasizes monotheism, the unity of god allah in arabic, and muhammad as his final messenger in a series of revelations. I think its probably a good book to start with if you wanted to understand something about islam beyond popular depictions of the faith and its history. These are the faces of muslim women throughout history. If you are looking for a book on islamic history in arabic, read hayatus sahaba. Islam is the second largest religion in the world after christianity, with about 1. The story of islam, muslims, and the caliphate history. Hats off to seyyed hossein nasr for writing an easy introduction for both muslims and nonmuslims alike. It does not delve deeply in the details but it rather discusses the general guidelines of the islamic concepts related to matters of. The book traces the origins and growth of the islamic faith from the revelations muhammad received in. This comprehensive, accessible, and authenticated guide to islam is essential to understanding the worlds fastestgrowing religion.
The history of islam concerns the political, social, economic and cultural developments of islamic civilization. Islam means complete submission to allah the word is always to. By placing these sources within the intellectual and cultural world of late antiquity, anthony offers. Muhammad is considered to be the holy prophet of islam and the last prophet to be sent by allah to mankind. The birth of islam and the rise of the global arab empire tom holland. Muslims believe that the words of the quran were revealed to muhammad from allah through the angel gabriel. Alongside christianity and judaism, it is a continuation of the teachings of abraham featured in both jewish and christian scriptures, considered a prophet. Mahmoud ayoub framed by his personal experience of islam, mahmoud ayoubs survey covers every element of the muslim faith, placing significant events, issues and figures in historical context. Hodgson an incredibly detailed and fascinating set of 3 books. Anthony demonstrates how critical readings of nonmuslim and muslim sources in tandem can breathe new life into the historical study of muhammad and how his message transformed the world. Religion, history and civilization 2002 is an excellent, uptodate, easy to read and comprehend overall introduction to the complex subject that is islam. Religious historian karen armstrong talks about her book islam.
Current events come into focus in the back drop of 1,400 years of history changing events. Islamic holy books are the texts which muslims believe were authored by god through various prophets throughout humanitys history. They believe that islam is the perfection of the religion revealed first to abraham who is considered the first muslim and later to other prophets. The book, released tuesday, provides a deep investigation of the key differences between the two faiths and delves into the historical evidence or. This unique book provides a unique view of islamic history starting from the time when makkah did not exist as a city and takes the reader through the first 100 years of islamic history to a time when the muslim territories included areas in presentday saudiarabia, jordan, syria, iraq, israel, palestine, azerbaijan, pakistan, tunisia, turkey. All these books, in muslim belief, promulgated the code and laws that god ordained for those people. Most historians accept that islam originated in mecca and medina at the start of the 7th century ce, approximately 600 years after the founding of christianity, with the revelations received by the prophet muhammad. Muslims believe the quran to be the final revelation of god to mankind, and a completion and confirmation of previous scriptures. Although its roots go back further, scholars typically date the. This approximately 30 minute film deals with the basics of islam. Islamic conquest william federer dvd a captivating 5part dvd series on political islams 1400 year war with the past. Paul halsall this page is a subset of texts derived from the three major online sourcebooks. Every muslim has a sacred duty to obey islams edict to fight until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in allah altogether and everywhere quran 8. Muslims regard islam as a return to the original faith of.
It respected the holy books of these religions and its great leaders and prophets abraham, moses, jesus, and others. The book is written for nonmuslims and attempts to be complete and balanced. This essential guide to islam covers every aspect of the muslim faith and its history from the life of the prophet muhammad and the teachings of the koran to islam in the 21st century. Islam main article islam etymology and meaning slm articles of faith islamic theology iman god in islam tawhid, oneness of god allah shirk, partnership and idolatory repentance in islam islamic views on sin haram kufr bidah holiest sites in islam holiest sites in sunni islam islamic holy books quran history of the quran list of surahs in. The founder was ubulkassim who was born in mecca modern day saudi arabia 570 ad, and died in medina saudi arabia in 632 ad at 62 years of age. What are some unbiased books about the origin and history. Faith and history by mahmoud m ayoub is a complete history of islam from the beginning in 622 ce to the 21st century. The intended meaning of faith in islam is important for us to understand, as mistaken definitions of faith have caused a number of problems in early islamic history up until the present time. Faith in history 4 bookdvd offer william federer bookdvd. An innitiative was undertaken to address this need. The maps, charts and carefully researched references make it one of the most complete and compelling works available about islam. Islam traces its heritage through abrahams son ishmael. Mormons believe that the book of mormon confirms information found in the holy bible. Islam is an abrahamicmonotheistic religion based upon the teachings of prophet muhammad ibn abdullah l.
Ayoub writes in an academic style that delivers information, but wont affect your blood pressure. For a long time, the need has been felt for an augmentation of the current islamic studies programs. If you want a comprehensive introduction to islam, this is an excellent book. The adventures of ibn battuta is an extremely interesting book, and i recommend it highly to anyone interested in world history. Books go search best sellers gift ideas new releases deals. However, the righteous predecessors had a clear definition of faith that should serve as the basis of our understanding of islam.
A somewhat dry but competent introduction to islam. A short history, which traces the origins and growth of the islamic faith from the revelations muhammad pbuh received in the. A list of books on the history of muslims and islam. It gives me pleasure to say that the book my faith, islam represents a positive attempt to address this challenge. Muhammad called abraham khalil gods friend and identified him as islams ancient patriarch. The first book is quite heavy on language and academic material, a. Although islam is not the monopoly of the arabs, they have played rather a large part in its propagation. Thomas roe, britains envoy in india during the 1620s, wrote of empress nur jehans power over her husband, the mughal emperor jehangir, that. This new faith incorporated aspects of judaism and christianity.