Introduction its important to understand that islam is simply an arabic word which means submission to god. Mohamed arkoun, emeritus professor of islamic philosophy at the sorbonne in paris, a visiting professor at the ismaili studies institute in london and editor of the academic journal arabica, spent a week at the library in october to discuss islam as both a western religion and a political tool in the wake of the sept. The key to understanding islam english abdulrahman bin. Mark robert anderson is a lecturer on islam, the quran and muslimchristian dialogue. Another consideration here is that the concept of god in islam is distorted in the minds of many nonmuslims who are socalled believers in god and advocates of religion. Guillaume faye proposes that there is no difference other than tactical ones between islam and islamism. Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that god revealed through all his prophets to every people. He has a masters degree in islamic studies from mcgill university and another in christian religion from westminster theological seminary, as well as ten years experience living in.
Understanding islam topics 1 its historical eginnings and the development of its doctrines the difficulty of studying islam the historical evidence for the emergence of islam from the arabian peninsula mohammed, his life and teachings, his claim to be gods final prophet the development of his doctrines through interaction with contemporaneous jewish and hris. This book has been translated into a number of languages. There are certain practices which are part of islam. A muslim is a person who submits himself to the worship of allah, therefore making all those who believed in the original message of the oneness of god muslim. Muslims fouow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events. Mohammedanism is thus a misnomer because it suggests that muslims worship muhammad rather than god. Islam was not founded by muhammadhe was the prophet through whom the quran was revealed. A brief illustrated guide to understanding islam english.
Furthermore, much the same as judaism and christianity, islam has faith in one god, the god of abraham and perceive huge numbers of the same prophets as the christian bible. The attack on the world twin towers and the pentagon in 2001 d. This lecture was given at trinity lutheran church in dallas, oregon, on january 17, 2016. The team of writers, proof readers, designers and builders all strove with one ultimate aim, to seek the pleasure of their lord. This is the second lecture of my understanding islam series. World renowned for its scholarly nature that sheds light on this controversial faith, this updated edition contains 77 pages of new material, editors notes. Jamaateislami claim that it has been translated into languages. This book is specifically written for nonmuslims to help them better understand islam, muslims moslems, and the holy quran koran. An introduction to the muslim 9780452011601 by thomas w. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Understanding islams view that, in spite of its appearance of having many internal divisions, the world of islam understands only one enemy.
This is an excellent site with many great and informative articles and books. The arabic word islam simply means submission, and derives from a word meaning peace. Anyone can be a muslim if he or she worships god alone. A little over thirteen centuries ago, the prophet muhammad converted a few arab desert tribes to the belief in a single god, allah, thus founding the religion of islam. These works have a tendency to concentrate on secondary issues, historical developments among the muslims themselvesor deviations from the original islam, leaving the reader ignorant of the essential spirit and teachings of islam. It is rich in information, references, bibliography, and illustrations. May 05, 2006 this book is specifically written for nonmuslims to help them better understand islam, muslims moslems, and the holy quran koran. We need to know and believe the gospel in all its glory and fullness. The single most important verse in the quran for gaining a perspective in understanding is. Understanding islam in the forms of posters, brochures and books. The nationalsocialist guide to understanding islam introduction this is one of a short series of brief guides designed to counter the zionist propaganda about islam which has been, and is being, poured forth in the media, and which is used to justify the current war against islam, and especially.
The present edition of towards understanding islam is more than a new translation of my book risalah diniyat. Proofs islam offers for its truthfulness understanding islam part 4 of 8. This comprehensive guide offers an informative and insightful introduction to islam both. He has a masters degree in islamic studies from mcgill university and another in christian religion from westminster theological seminary, as well as ten years experience living in the arab world. Guide to understanding islam islamic information center. The word islam in arabic means submission, reflecting the faiths central belief is submitting to the will of god. Question 7 do islam and christianity have different origins.
Understanding islam 1 running head understanding islam. Toward a balanced perspective on the quran, islam as it exists in the world and muslimchristian dialogue. What was the real religion of the prophets before us. It contains a lot of brief, yet informative articles about different aspects of islam. The historical backdrop of islam starts with the story and background of muhammad, who might get. This website is for people of various faiths who seek to understand islam and muslims. To download the entire book entitled a brief illustrated guide to understanding islam in pdf format, rightclick on the link below, then in explorer choose save target as, and in netscape choose save link as.
A comprehensive understanding about islam is highly important for people to build a harmonious social life, and for media to return to its duty. My purpose in writing this book has been to provide all those persons muslims nonmuslimswho have no access to the original sources of islam with a brief treatise giving a lucid, comprehensive and allembracing view of islam. Islam a comprehensive guide to the reality, legislation, beliefs and laws. Islam is a monotheistic faith based on revelations that the prophet muhammad received in the 7thcentury saudi arabia. Understanding islam by frithjof schuon traditional hikma.
Browse around, theres lots of material here to help you understand islam and answer. This book makes the readers aware about islam, the prophet muhammad, the islamic rites, islams attitude towards the prophet jesus and his mother peace be upon him. One who submits to god is a muslim, an arabic word which means submitter. Understanding islam history of islam islam is the world second most popular religion, with 1 billion followers.
Featured audio all audio latest this just in grateful dead netlabels old time radio 78 rpms and cylinder recordings. Towards understanding islam is a book written by sayyid abul ala maududi which gained its author a reputation as a religious teacher and major thinker. The verses from the quran quoted herein are from the most widely recognized english language translation by yusuf ali. He answers questions at the almawrid website and does online teaching at. Understanding islam november 2001 library of congress. Muslims themselves accept the fact that mohammed was a ruthless warrior. Home understanding of islam hadith misconception prophets amazed by the quran quran this site is for people wanting to know some of the basics of islam. All that and more is answered very clearly in this video. The religion of islam the origins of islam introduction 1. The third chapter, general information on islam, provides general information on islam, corrects some misconceptions about it, and answers some commonly asked questions, such as.
We dont need to be experts in particular world religions and cults to engage their adherents. The complete idiots guide to understanding islam part 3. This is the first lecture of understanding islam, held at trinity lutheran church in dallas, oregon, on january 10, 2016. Feb 01, 2016 this is the first lecture of understanding islam, held at trinity lutheran church in dallas, oregon, on january 10, 2016. One english translation of this book is by prof khurshid ahmad. Feb 04, 2016 this is the second lecture of my understanding islam series. It aims to provide an understanding of islam as muslims understand it, and to address questions of christian response to islam and christian coexistence with muslims. But islam, submission to god, has been around since adam and eve. World renowned for its scholarly nature that sheds light on this controversial faith, this updated edition. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of god.
Understanding islam the following are some resources and books which we recommend for those who wish to learn more about islam and how to minister to muslims. I hope this small treatise will go far towards satisfying the intellectual cravings of muslim youth, and that it will help nonmuslims to understand our real position. There are also updated descriptions of internal politics in syria, egypt, pakistan, and other islamic nations. Thus, according to islam, every individual has been bestowed a clear standard of judgment of good and evil by god. For these reasons some simple and perhaps elementary demonstrations are used in this presentation.
According to faye, islam is absolutely incompatible with pluralist democracy, secularism, and the western. Five books you should read to better understand islam. Jan 01, 1977 a simple and comprehensive introduction to islam. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Examining the newest historical research on islam and the earliest. This site will try to answer some of the questions that you may have. God in islam, or judaism or christianity is clearly separate from humans. The first edition, which was rendered into english by. A little over thirteen centuries ago, the prophet muhammad conv. For iphone and ipad, you may download the application version of this book from itunes at.
The five pillars of islam 111 10 declaring faith in islam 1. Mark anderson is an author and lecturer on islam, the quran and muslimchristian dialogue. Youre interpreting islam to make it match spiritual awakening. There are numerous audio lectures from three individuals. This last work is published by the knights of columbus and found here. Signs of god in the creation understanding islam part 3 of 8. This is a course for those who want to learn more about islam and reflect on islam as christians. Islam teaches that jesus christ was a mere mana prophet, and not god incarnate. Within a century, that belief had created one of historys mightiest empiresand today islam continues to shape events around the globe. Islam further teaches that no one can have salvation but a muslim. After a recent talk about isis, an audience member asked will mccants, what can i read to help me not hate islam.
Complete with glossary, bibliography, and index, understanding islam is engrossing, essential reading for both students and all who seek a clearer understanding of the world in which we live. Rahim is the president of the understanding islam uk charity organisation. Allah is the arabic name for god, which is used by arab muslims and christians. It is brief and simple to read, yet contains much scientific knowledge. Preface a brief illustrated guide to understanding islam 4. Together with judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sonsmuhammad saw from the eldest, ishmael, and moses and jesus, peace be upon them, from isaac.
These practices were given by god to abraham and passed from generation to generation, and. For a fifth of the worlds population, islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Understanding islam 2 understanding islam pretty much as judaism and christianity started, islam started in the middle east. Understanding islam is a reprinting and revised translation of frithjof schuons previous work surrounding the nature of islam and why it has attracted a billion and a half followers. Apr 02, 2018 youre interpreting islam to make it match spiritual awakening.
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