Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History and Society / Edition 2

by Akbar S. Ahmed

Overview

Now reissued with a new introduction, Discovering Islam is a classic account of how the history of Islam and its relations with the West have shaped Islamic society today. Islam is often caricatured as aggressive and fanatic. Written in the tradition of Ibn Khaldun, this readable and wide-ranging book balances that image, uncovers the roots of Islamic discontent and celebrates the sources of its strength. From the four "ideal Caliphs" who succeeded the Prophet to the refugee camps of Peshawar, an objective picture emerges of the main features of Muslim history and the compulsions of Muslim society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415285247
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/28/2002
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1160L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

Introduction: Discovering Islam Part One: The Pattern of Islamic History 2. Muslim Ideal: Holy Book and Prophet 3. A Theory of Islamic History 4. The Great Muslim Empires: Ottomans, Saffavids and Mughals 5. Sufis and Scholars 6. Islam of the Periphery 7. Under European Rule: The Colonial Impact on Muslim Society Part Two: Contemporary Muslim Society 8. Princes and Paupers: Muslim Societies in Saudi Arabia and South India 9. Muslim Society Turned Inside Out: Ethnicity, Women and Refugees 10. The Reconstruction of Muslim Thought 11. Only Connect Appendix: Muslim Chronology, Glossary of Islamic Terminology, Bibliography: Suggested Readings, Index

Editorial Reviews

Instructive, entertaining and even stimulating. - Middle East International

Through an exploration of his experiences as a Muslim and his personal search for understanding, (Akbar Ahmed) sets before us the kindlier face of Islam and the dynamics of its history. - History Today

This is a most readable book which will set Muslims and non-Muslims thinking. - Islam, Christian and Muslim Relations

An in-depth analysis of Islamic history and society... required reading for students and researchers. - Colonel Ghulam Sarwar, The Voice of Islam

From the Publisher