Malise ruthven teaches at the university of aberdeen in scotland. A very short introduction asks if there is more to agnosticism than merely the absence of belief. The concept of jihad, the role of sharia law, the place of women and the ability of muslims to adjust to the modern world all get special emphasis since they are hot. Islam originated around 600 ad in the central asian arabian desert and soon spread to east asia, central europe and north africa. However, he also wastes some very valuable pages reflecting on the topic rather than presenting it. Feb 09, 2012 islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant versions, but few people in the nonmuslim world really understand the nature of islam. A very short introduction audio book malise ruthven 2004. Looks at issues surrounding why islam has major divisions between movements such as the shiites, the sunnis, and the wahhabis. Dec 21, 2009 the book i read to research this post was islamic history a very short introduction by adam j silverstein which is a very good book which i bought from kindle. Jun 23, 2016 eleanor nesbitt, author of the very short introduction to sikhism, tells us 10 things we should know about sikhism. The concept of jihad, the role of sharia law, the place of women and the ability of muslims to adjust to the modern world all get special emphasis since they are hotbutton issues.
The best books on science and islam five books expert. Ruthven is helpful in explaining the origins and characteristics of the different branches of islam. Often a controversial subject, said to have transformed the study of culture and society in the past two decades, literary theory is accused of undermining. As per muslim beliefs, islam is the last religion that allah almighty has sent for the guidance of mankind and there wont be any other religion following it. Why does any of this matter, either to muslims or to nonmuslims. Islam teaches that god, allah, created the heavens and the earth.
A very short introduction by malise ruthven goodreads. Armstrong has written several books about islam, and all are worth reading, but this one is helpful for those who do not know much about the prophet. Malise ruthvens very short introduction contains essential insights into issues such as why islam has such major divisions between movements such as the shiites, the sunnis, and the wahhabis, and the central importance of the sharia islamic law in islamic life. Armstrong is a former catholic nun but she left the convent when she realised she wasnt suited to it. Jun 07, 2010 denis judd on an introduction to islamic history in terms of introductions, oxford university press has here played its part in providing us with a highquality fast track towards the comprehension of what is one of todays major global preoccupations, at least from a western perspective. Islamic scientific discoveries underpinned much of the european renaissance and the islamic world inspired europe as much as greece and rome did, says cambridge professor amira bennison.
A very short introduction 9780199642878 by malise ruthven. Everyone would benefit from reading these books to broaden their knowledge and understanding in diverse areas of life. For cultivating genuine faith, the risala nur of bediuzzaman said nursi is something i read almost every day for about 14 years. Cook provides a lucid and direct account of the significance of the quran in both traditional islam and the modern world. A very short introduction very short introductions new ed by ruthven, malise isbn. From the historical origins of this phenomenon to current issues including media stereotypes, this book will help educate and inform without being preachy. Oxfords very short introduction collection its series of very short introductions vsis 150page books explaining anything and everything accounting to.
A very short introduction provides an introduction to the major aspects of muhammads life and its importance, giving both the muslim and western historical perspectives. I was not disappointed by this book and am glad to have a bit. Islamic holy books are the texts which muslims believe were authored by god through various prophets throughout humanitys history. I was not disappointed by this book and am glad to have a bit more insight into another of the worlds religions. Indeed, the word islam in arabic means selfsurrender and is closely related to salaam, the word for peace.
There are presently over 500 small books covering a very wide range of subjects. Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant forms, but few people in the nonmuslim world really understand its nature. Eleanor nesbitt, author of the very short introduction to sikhism, tells us 10 things we should know about sikhism. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative yet always balanced discussions. Two of the best books youll ever read about muhammad and the quran are also the shortest. Islam is a simple religion although from the outside it can sometimes appear confusing. History books, british history textbook history in 50 events series book 11 islam. A very short introduction audio bookmalise ruthven 2004. Otherwise, martin lings muhammad is very eloquent and enjoyable to read. The cover art used for the very short introduction on islam by malise ruthven.
Muslims believe the quran to be the final revelation of god to mankind, and a completion and confirmation of previous scriptures. This website is for people of various faiths who seek to understand islam and muslims. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative yet always balanced discussions of the central issues in a given. Islam dominates the news, often in stories filled with images of violence. Yet, the postseptember 11th times have sadly eclipsed the authors judgment about the future pietist or quietist trend in islam.
A very short introduction malise ruthven oxford university. This book fulfills its promise as a very short introduction to hinduism. I think this would be a helpful first text in a comparative religions course. In a very short introduction it is often hard to get much done. A very short introduction examines why islam has such major divisions between movements such as the shiites, the sunnis, and the wahhabis, and the central importance of the sharia islamic law in islamic life. The word islam is an arabic word which means submission to the will of god. The book examines how islam rose from the obscurity of seventh. A very short introduction very short introductions. At present, that series consists of five hundred and twentysix books.
This word comes from the same root as the arabic word salam, which means peace. A very short introduction, you may enjoy his discussion on why the biography has not been relied upon as accurate history. All these books, in muslim belief, promulgated the code and laws that god ordained for those people. A very short introduction and muhammad, both by michael cook. A brief introduction to islam part 1 of 2 the religion of. In islam there are two key figures that are of importance and without the knowledge of which one cannot begin the understanding or knowing of religion. A very short introduction 2nd edition by malise ruthven author visit amazons malise ruthven page.
Here, dorothy crawford, professor of medical microbiology and the author of viruses. Can you recommend me good books to read about islam from a. Offers insights into the structure and beliefs of this major world religion. A very short introduction examines why islam has such major divisions. Where can i download the oxfords very short introduction. A very short introduction offers essential insight into the structure and. Nov 30, 2019 oxfords very short introduction collection its series of very short introductions vsis 150page books explaining anything and everything accounting to. An introduction of islamophobia in the west by todd h. In his general introduction to islam course, university of southern california professor sherman jackson, king faisal chair in islamic thought with the usc dornsife college of letters, arts and. It contains a lot of brief, yet informative articles about different aspects of islam. Yet these disturbing images are at odds with a faith that most adherentswho now number over a billion worldwidewould regard as no less pacific than buddhism or christianity. Yet these disturbing images are at odds with a faith that most. Looks at issues surrounding why islam has major divisions between movements such.
Five books you should read to better understand islam. The book i read to research this post was islamic history a very short introduction by adam j silverstein which is a very good book which i bought from kindle. The religion started with the teachings of prophet muhammad who is considered to be the messenger of the one and only, formless, allpowerful god, allah. Cook here succeeds in giving some basic interpretations on significant verses in the koran the famous sword verses, balanced against the verse that there should be no compulsion in islam. A very short introduction 2e very short introductions 2 by ruthven, malise isbn. A very short introduction very short introductions a short history of the korean war i. Ruthven covers a large number of topics in a dense space. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Is there a relationship between literature and culture. Thus, scholars working under the auspices of islam produced. There s no central religious authority in islam like western christianity had the papacy. The koran has constituted a remarkably resilient core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century.
She recommends the best books to get a better understanding of the islamic contribution to. If youre behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains. Apr 05, 2018 but now im not so sure there s a lot of info in this book, but it didnt seem like a very good beginners introduction to the topic. A very short introduction, selects five of the best books on viruses for the general reader. Many of us have developed a new fascination for viruses and virology during the global covid19 crisis. As the founder of islam, muhammad is one of the most influential figures in history. Find out more see the full list of titles currently available. Franz rosenthals knowledge triumphant is fantastic, as another user mentioned. Islam is the name of the religion established by the prophet muhammad. But now im not so sure there s a lot of info in this book, but it didnt seem like a very good beginners introduction to the topic. Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant versions, but few people in the nonmuslim world really understand the nature of islam. The best books on science and islam recommended by amira bennison. What i can say that was missed in this book, was a day in the life of a muslim. It is a religion that was revealed to prophet muhammad pbuh over fourteen hundred years ago in saudi arabia.
Oxfords very short introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects from islam to sociology, politics to classics, and literary theory to history. As usual this very short introduction is right on target, that is, a quick and lucid overview of a major world religion. In this thorough revision of an earlier volume, ruthven offers a quick overview of islam and its adherents. In a clever marketing move, the very short introductions advertise their brevity visually. This book looks at the history of islam from its origins to the present day and is part of a series where they get an expert to write about a subject in around 150 pages. Malise ruthvens very short introduction contains essential insights into issues such as why islam has such major divisions between movements such as the shiites, the sunnis, and the wahhabis. Such an introduction is especially valuable since the koran is a difficult book, lyrical and poetic, and with chapters ordered simply.
Mankind has been created in order to come to know allah. Islam, muslim, a very short introduction, religions, audio book. Despite the primacy that muslims place upon the quran as gods final word, islam speaks of respecting all the previous scriptures, and belief in all the revealed books is an article of faith in islam. Introduction to islam if youre seeing this message, it means were having trouble loading external resources on our website. A brief introduction to the meaning of islam, the notion of god in islam, and his basic message to humanity through the prophets. A very short introduction is unsurprisingly a short text on a complex and loaded topic. Plus, free twoday shipping for six months when you sign up for amazon prime for students. The author seems to be very capable and wellversed. Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant versions, but few people in the nonmuslim world really understand the nature of. If youre the kind of reader who can amass a vast amount of knowledge in a shor amount of time, then this is the place to begin. Islam, christianity, and postchristian spiritualties. The furore surrounding the publication of the satanic verses and. Read and learn for free about the following article.
There were sections where i thought the introduction was too short, but a book of this length must of necessity disappoint readers, and then point them to other works of greater detail. Often a controversial subject, said to have transformed the study of culture and society in the past two decades, literary theory is accused of. Denis judd on an introduction to islamic history in terms of introductions, oxford university press has here played its part in providing us with a highquality fast track towards the comprehension of what is one of todays major global preoccupations, at least from a western perspective. The best books on the essence of islam five books expert.
Download complete list of books in this religion collection. Malise ruthvens very short introduction, offers essential insights into the big issues, provides fresh perspectives on contemporary questions, and guides us through the complex debates. Very short introductions discover vsis from oxford now. A very short introduction by michael cook however good the translation you read or even if you can read it in arabic, the text of the koran still needs a lot of glossing and some context. Green is a comprehensive reader on islamophobia, or an irrational fear of muslims. Browse in religion very short introductions online. Malise ruthvens very short introduction contains essential insights into issues such as why islam has such major divisions between movements such as the shiites, the. Opening with a lucid overview of the rise and spread of islam, from the seventh to the twentyfirst century, this very short introduction introduces the story of islamic history, charting the evolution of what was originally a small, localized community of believers into an international religion with over a billion adherents. Although short, the introductions are substantial in content. Among the books considered to be revealed, the four mentioned by name in the quran shareef are the tawrat torah or the law revealed to musa a. A very short introduction, is a disappointing overview of islam. These are some of questions addressed by jonathan culler in this very short introduction to literary theory. A brief introduction to islam part 1 of 2 the religion. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
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