Islam: The Religion and the People »

The Cleveland E. Dodge Professor of Near Eastern Studies Emeritus at Princeton University -- dubbed "the doyen of Middle Eastern studies," by The New York Times -- Islam expert Bernard Lewis has raised both awareness levels and eyebrows with topical bestsellers like What Went Wrong? and The Crisis of Islam.

Praise for Bernard Lewis

 

"For newcomers to the subject[el]Bernard Lewis is the man."

TIME Magazine

 

“The doyen of Middle Eastern studies."

The New York Times

 

“No one writes about Muslim history with greater authority, or intelligence, or literary charm.”

British historian Hugh Trevor-Roper

 

“Bernard Lewis has no living rival in his field.”

Al Ahram, Cairo (the most influential Arab world newspaper)

 

"When it comes to Islamic studies, Bernard Lewis is the father of us all. With brilliance, integrity, and extraordinary mastery of languages and sources, he has led the way for[el]investigators seeking to understand the Muslim world."

National Review

 

"Bernard Lewis combines profound depth of scholarship with encyclopedic knowledge of the Middle East and, above all, readability."

Daily Telegraph (London)

 

"Lewis speaks with authority in prose marked by lucidity, elegance, wit and force."

Newsday (New York)

 

"Lewis' style is lucid, his approach, objective."

Philadelphia Inquirer

 

"Lewis writes with unsurpassed erudition and grace."

Washington Times

 

An objective, easy-to-read introduction to Islam by Bernard Lewis, one of the West’s leading experts on Islam

 

For many people, Islam remains a mystery. Here Bernard Lewis and Buntzie Ellis Churchill examine Islam: what its adherents believe andhow their religion has shaped them, their rich and diverse cultures, and their politics over more than 14 centuries. Considered one of the West’s leading experts on Islam, Lewis, with Churchill, has written an illuminating introduction for those who want to understand the faith and the global challenges it confronts and presents. Whatever your political, personal, or religious views, this book will help you understand Islam’s reality.

 

Lewis and Churchill answer questions such as...

 

• How does Islam differ from Judaism and Christianity?

• What are the pillars of the Islamic faith?

• What does Islam really say about peace and jihad?

• How does the faith regard non-Muslims?

• What are the differences between Sunni and Shi’a?

• What does Islam teach about the position of women in society?

• What does Islam say about free enterprise and profit?

• What caused the rise of radical Islam?

• What are the problems facing Muslims in the U.S. and Europe and what are the challenges posed by those minorities?

 

 

Library Journal

Lewis (Near Eastern studies, emeritus, Princeton Univ.; The Crisis of Islam ) and Churchill (former president, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia) offer an accessible introduction to Muslims and their faith. In clear language, the authors cover the faith's development, its five pillars, Scripture and tradition, law, the mosque, diversity, sectarian divisions, government, economics, women, dress, language, war and peace, and radicalism. There are three particular strengths. First, Lewis and Churchill insist that Islam cannot be reduced to extremes as either a bloodthirsty creed or solely a message of peace. The Qur'an advocates a range of responses according to specific circumstances. Second, the authors humanize Islam by including insets on "Islamic humor" in every chapter. Third, the book replaces dangerous characterizations of Islam as an enemy with an understanding of Islam as a faith intimately connected to Christianity and Judaism. Through understanding Islam, readers may see that the minority who espouse a radicalized totalitarian version of Islam represent neither the faith nor most of its followers. Highly recommended for all libraries.-William P. Collins, Library of Congress

Introduction 1

1 The Faith and the Faithful 7

2 The Pillars of the Faith 13

3 Scripture, Tradition and Law 25

4 The Mosque 39

5 Diversity and Tolerance 51

6 Sunni, Shi'a, and Others 61

7 Some History 71

8 Government and Opposition 81

9 The Wider World of Islam 91

10 Islam and the Economy 97

11 Women in Islam 111

12 Dress 127

13 Language and Writing 137

14 War and Peace 145

15 Radical Islam 155

Conclusion 165

Appendix Some Practical Matters 169

Terms and Topics 179

Index 225