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Introduction to Islam for Jews » (New Edition)

Book cover image of Introduction to Islam for Jews by Reuven Firestone

Authors: Reuven Firestone
ISBN-13: 9780827608641, ISBN-10: 0827608640
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Jewish Pubn Society
Date Published: June 2008
Edition: New Edition

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Author Biography: Reuven Firestone

Book Synopsis

"Reuven Firestone's eminently readable book contains a comprehensive, authoritative, and sympathetic introduction to Islam, written for Jews, but speaking to all men and women of good will. Throughout, the author offers a sober and nuanced analysis of relations between Islam and other religions, particularly Judaism, without succumbing to the temptation to say who took what from whom. The book represents a major contribution to better understanding of the "real" Islam, which differs from the extremist and militant variety that dominates the news."--Marc Cohen, professor of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University

"...Firestone's book shines as a beacon of scholarship and humanity. While Muslims might challenge some of Firestone's interpretations of Islam, they will never find him mean-spirited or ill-informed... Firestone has demonstrated that it is possible for Jews and Muslims to engage in an honest evaluation of their shared history and still find enough common ground to work for a better shared future."-- Ingrid Mattson, President, Islamic Society of North America

"Reuven Firestone has made a valuable contribution toward making Islam understood and appreciated by the Jewish people.... The work is balanced and careful. It will help dispel many misconceptions about Islam and hopefully promote more dialogue and better relations between our two communities of faith."--Muzammil H. Siddiqi, Chairman, Fiqh Council of North America Helping Jews understand Islam--a reasoned and candid view

“This book provides the Jewish reader with a valuable tool: a readable, comprehensive, and reliable introduction to Islam with special attention to issues relevant to Jews regarding past and present events and attitudes… This authoritative and readable book is of value for students and general readers alike.” – AJL Newsletter

“An Introduction to Islam for Jews is perfect for any Jewish reader seeking an understanding of Islam… a scholarly yet accessible title.” – Midwest Book Review

“Firestone provides a balanced introduction to Islam that will be helpful for all beginners, but particularly for the Jewish readers for whom it is intended.” – Publisher’s Weekly

Muslim-Jewish relations in the United States, Israel, and Europe are tenuous. Jews and Muslims struggle to understand one another and know little about each other's traditions and beliefs. Firestone explains the remarkable similarities and profound differences between Judaism and Islam, the complex history of Jihad, the legal and religious positions of Jews in the world of Islam, how various expressions of Islam (Sunni, Shi'a, Sufi, Salafi, etc.) regard Jews, the range of Muslim views about Israel, and much more. He addresses these issues and others with candor and integrity, and he writes with language, symbols, and ideas that make sense to Jews.

Exploring these subjects in today's vexed political climate is a delicate undertaking. Firestone draws on the research and writings of generations of Muslim, Jewish, and other scholars, as well as his own considerable expertise in this field. The book's tone is neither disparaging, apologetic, nor triumphal. Firestone provides many original sources in translation, as well as an appendix of additional key sources in context. Most importantly, this book is readable and reasoned, presenting to readers for the first time the complexity of Islam and its relationship toward Jews and Judaism. Also available as an eBook!

Publishers Weekly

Firestone provides a balanced introduction to Islam that will be helpful for all beginners, but particularly for the Jewish readers for whom it is intended. The first part offers a survey of Islamic history, with special emphasis on the interactions of Jews and Muslims throughout (and an entire chapter devoted to the violent relations in seventh-century Medina). Firestone extends a real effort to be fair to both sides; in his discussion of Muhammad's massacre of between 600 and 900 Jewish men, for instance, he reminds readers that the Jews had committed treason and points to examples in the Hebrew Bible where Israelites engaged in similar tactics. Part two digs into the foundations of Islamic law and belief, discussing the Qur'an, the prophetic tradition, key doctrines and sharia law. The final, and perhaps most interesting, part explores Islam in practice. Firestone undertakes an in-depth discussion of the Five Pillars of Islam, finding much common ground: like Muslims, Jews have an ancient tradition of praying at set times; early Muslims, like Jews, fasted on the 10th day of a particular month. (Aug.)

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Table of Contents

Pt. 1 A Survey of Islamic History

Ch. 1 Why an Introduction to Islam Specifically for Jews? 3

Ch. 2 Arabs and Israelites 5

Ch. 3 Pre-Islamic Origins 10

Ch. 4 The Emergence of Islam 17

Ch. 5 Muhammad and the Jews of Medina 33

Ch. 6 The Death of the Prophet and the Expansion of the Community 43

Ch. 7 The Conquests 52

Ch. 8 The Caliphal Dynasties 60

Ch. 9 The Decline of the Muslim World 70

Pt. 2 God, the Quran, and Islamic Law

Ch. 10 God 79

Ch. 11 The Five Doctrines or "Pillars of Faith" 85

Ch. 12 The Evolution of a Formal Theology 92

Ch. 13 The Qur'an 100

Ch. 14 The Interpretive Tradition 114

Ch. 15 The Prophetic Record 124

Ch. 16 Islamic Law 134

Ch. 17 The Workings of Shari'a 142

Pt. 3 The Umma: Islam in Practice

Ch. 18 The Umma and The Caliphate 149

Ch. 19 The Five Pillars of Islam 157

Ch. 20 A Sixth Pillar? Jihad 176

Ch. 21 The Range of Practice among Muslims 184

Ch. 22 Sufism 191

Ch. 23 The Shi'a 199

Ch. 24 Mosque and Clergy 202

Ch. 25 The Calendar 205

Ch. 26 The Muslim Life-Cycle 210

Ch. 27 Personal Observance 225

Epilogue 235

Endnotes 240

Appendix Islam and Judaism: Some Related Religious Terminology 253

Glossary 254

Bibliography 269

Scriptural Index: Verses from the Qur'an and the Bible 273

Subject Index 282

Subjects