Islam: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

by Malise Ruthven (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2000

  $3.62

  Islam 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?

• Used

  Paperback
  1997

  $3.25

  Islam features widely in the media, often in its most militant versions, but few people in the non-Muslim world really understand the nature of Islam, both as ideology and religion. This short introduction offers an insight into issues such as why the greatest Jihad (holy war) is now against the enemies of Islam, rather than the struggle against evil, why Islam has such major divisions between movements such as the Shi'ites, the Sunnis, and the Wahhabis, and how the Shar'ia (Islamic law) has become such an important aspect of Islamic life. In addition the study investigates the ideas of Islamic resurgence as both an old and new concept, whether or not women can find fulfilment and equality within an Islamic framework, and the problems facing Islam in its confrontations with the modern world.