Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

As the founder of Islam Muhammad is one of the most influential figures in history. The furor surrounding the Satanic Verses and the Danish cartoon crisis reminded the world of the tremendous importance of the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Learning about his life and understanding its importance, however, has always proven difficult. Our knowledge of Muhammad comes from the biography of him written by his followers, but Western historians have questioned the reliability of this story in their quest to uncover the 'historical Muhammad'. As modern controversies have shown, whatever the truth about Muhammad's life, his persona has taken on numerous shapes and played a crucial role in Muslim life and civilization. This Very Short Introduction provides an introduction to the major aspects of Muhammad's life and its importance, providing both the Muslim and Western historical perspectives. It also explains the prominent roles that Muhammad's persona has played in the Islamic world, from the medieval to the modern period. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.




Islamic History: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

How did Islam arise from the obscurity of seventh century Arabia to the headlines of the 21st century? This introduction answers that question; exploring the cultural & religious diversity of Islamic history. Adam Silverstein explains its significance & considers its impact on Islamic society today.




Islam: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant forms, but few people in the non-Muslim world really understand its nature. Malise Ruthven's Very Short Introduction, offers essential insights into the big issues, provides fresh perspectives on contemporary questions, and guides us through the complex debates.




Hadith


Book Description

Contrary to popular opinion, the bulk of Islamic law does not come from the Quran but from hadith, first-hand reports of the Prophet Muhammad’s words and deeds, passed from generation to generation. However, with varying accounts often only committed to paper a century after the death of Muhammad, Islamic scholars, past and present, have been faced with complex questions of historical authenticity. In this wide-ranging introduction, Jonathan A. C. Brown explores the collection and criticism of hadith, and the controversy surrounding its role in modern Islam. This edition, revised and updated with additional case studies and attention to the very latest scholarship, also features a new chapter on how hadiths have been used politically, both historically and in the Arab Spring and its aftermath. Informative and accessible, it is perfectly suited to students, scholars and general readers interested in this critical element of Islam.




The Koran: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

The Koran has constituted a remarkably strong core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. This Very Short Introduction explores the significance of the Koran both in the modern world and in traditional Muslim culture. Michael Cook provides a lucid and direct account of the Koran as codex, as scripture, as liturgy, and as the embodiment of truth, and examines its means of formation and dissemination. He also discusses issues of interpretation for certain key verses, demonstrating that fecundity of the text for readers throughout the world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.




Misquoting Muhammad


Book Description

AN INDEPENDENT BEST BOOKS ON RELIGION 2014 PICK Few things provoke controversy in the modern world like the religion brought by Prophet Muhammad. Modern media are replete with alarm over jihad, underage marriage and the threat of amputation or stoning under Shariah law. Sometimes rumor, sometimes based on fact and often misunderstood, the tenets of Islamic law and dogma were not set in the religion’s founding moments. They were developed, like in other world religions, over centuries by the clerical class of Muslim scholars. Misquoting Muhammad takes the reader back in time through Islamic civilization and traces how and why such controversies developed, offering an inside view into how key and controversial aspects of Islam took shape. From the protests of the Arab Spring to Istanbul at the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and from the ochre red walls of Delhi’s great mosques to the trade routes of the Indian Ocean world, Misquoting Muhammad lays out how Muslim intellectuals have sought to balance reason and revelation, weigh science and religion, and negotiate the eternal truths of scripture amid shifting values.




Following Muhammad


Book Description

Avoiding the traps of sensational political exposes and specialized scholarly Orientalism, Carl Ernst introduces readers to the profound spiritual resources of Islam while clarifying diversity and debate within the tradition. Framing his argument in terms of religious studies, Ernst describes how Protestant definitions of religion and anti-Muslim prejudice have affected views of Islam in Europe and America. He also covers the contemporary importance of Islam in both its traditional settings and its new locations and provides a context for understanding extremist movements like fundamentalism. He concludes with an overview of critical debates on important contemporary issues such as gender and veiling, state politics, and science and religion.




Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman


Book Description

A biography of Muhammad, the founder of Islam.




Muhammad and the Believers


Book Description

Looks at the history of Islam, arguing that its origins began with the "Believers" movement that emphasized strict monotheism and righteous behavior that included both Christians and Jews in its early years.




Getting to Know and Love Prophet Muhammad


Book Description

We can’t get the closeness of Allah (God) SWT until and unless we love & follow His Messenger & Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Simply loving our Prophet; Muhammad is not enough; one needs to follow up that love by living the lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the best role model that ever lived. We should be eager to follow our Messenger Muhammad, PBHM footsteps, and eager to meet him. No one shall have complete faith unless he loves Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, more than he loves wealth, his or her children, and themselves for the pure sake of Allah. Studying the life of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is an obligation given to us by our Creator- Allah. and helps us better understand the Holy Quran and its context. ❤️ Getting to Know and Love Prophet Muhammad for Kids ❤️ aims to introduce Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in an easy, fun, & educational way to develop and instill a love for our Prophet, peace be upon him. Studying the story and life of Prophet Muhammad is the best way to develop that love for our Prophet, Mohammad. This cute Islamic children's book about Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, is a summarized biography of Allah’s Messenger, designed for kids ages 6+, tweens, and young teens, for developing a deep appreciation, respect, & love for HIM (Pbuh) in their hearts. As parents, it is our responsibility to show HIM (PBUH) as a role model to our children, so that they can live a life similar to the best human that ever lived on this earth. He is the perfect role model for mankind, who taught & demonstrated morality and the highest form of character one could have. We learn about him, so we can follow and emulate him to better ourselves and get closer to Allah. Chapters & topics of this Prophet Muhmmad biography book for kids include: Chapter 1: God Sends Messengers & Prophets to Us & We Learn About Prophet Muhammad Chapter 2: (The Land of Makkah Filled with Idols and Idol Worship) Chapter 3: (Angel Gabriel Splits Open Prophet Muhammad’s Chest & Washes His Heart) Chapter 4: (Prophet Muhammad’s Marriage to His Wife, Khadijah, Peace be Upon Her) Chapter 5: (Rebuilding of the Kaaba After the Flood) Chapter 6: (Angel Gabriel Comes Down to Prophet Muhammad to Reveal the First Verses of the Holy Quran) Chapter 7: (Prophet Muhammad Spreads & Preaches Islam Privately, then Publicly) Chapter 8: (The Idol-Worshippers of Mecca Persecute and Harass the Believers) Chapter 9: (The Idol-Worshippers of Mecca Prostrate to Allah) Chapter 10: (The Year of the Sorrow) Chapter 11: (Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey and Ascension) Chapter 12: (The Muslims Migrate to the City of Medina) Chapter 13: (The Battle of Badr—Supported with Angels) Chapter 14: (The Battle Uhud-- Muslims Archers Leave their Post) Chapter 15: (The Betrayal of the Jewish Tribes of Medina) Chapter 16: (The Battle of the Trench) Chapter 17: (The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah) Chapter 18: (The Conquest of Makkah) Chapter 19: The Farewell Hajj Chapter 20: (Prophet Muhammad Returns to Medina & Passes Away) ♥♥ Happy learning to our little kids, tweens, and young teens! ♥♥ ★ The Sincere Seeker Kids Collection ★ is designed to introduce and teach your children the essentials they need to know about Allah (God), the Holy Koran, Islam, Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, Hadith for kids, the five pillars of Islam, the 6 articles of faith in Islam, & more in an easy, fun, & educational way.