Product Description

A revised and updated edition of the best-selling introduction to Islam written by one of the foremost scholars in the field. Ideals and Realities of Islam seeks to answer criticism brought against Islam by presenting the point of view of Islam. In six chapters dealing with the universal and the particular aspects of Islam, the Qur’an, the Prophet and the Prophetic tradition, the Shari’ah, Sufism, and Shi’ism, Seyyed Hossein Nasr outlines the essential aspects of the Islamic beliefs, making frequent references to other religions in general and Christianity in particular. Drawing mainly on the Qur’an and the hadith, but also on the works of some contemporary Western scholars, the author presents the Islamic spiritual and intellectual tradition in the light of contemporary modern thought. This edition includes a new introduction by the author and an updated annotated bibliography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #850098 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 242 pages

From the Publisher
‘Seyyed Hossein Nasr dominates his subject ... he unites in his person an Islamic structure which encompassed two points of view: that of religious law and contemplation, and a supreme knowledge of modern scientific methods.’ From the Preface by Titus Burckhardt.

About the Author
Seyyed Hossein Nasr was born in Teheran to a family of traditional scholars and physicians. After receiving his early education in Iran he went to America where he studied physics , and the history of science and philosophy at M.I.T. and Harvard, where he received his doctorate. Nasr was Professor at Teheran University and founder and first President of the Iranian Academy of Philosophy. He is currently Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University and author of numerous books including: Islam and the Plight of Modern Man, A Young Muslim’s Guide to the Modern World and Science & Civilization in Islam, all published by The Islamic Texts Society.

Customer Reviews

A classic for understanding the heart of Islam...
Some twenty-five years ago, I had my first real exposure to the teachings of Islam, through the gentle teachings of my professor Victor Danner and this text by Seyyed Hossein Nasr. As the introduction states, there are few books in English which treat Islam from its own point of view. The two primary audiences are Westerners who wish to know something about Islam, both in ideal and in practice, as well as the Muslim who has received Western education.

The chapters of this book each derive from lectures delivered at the American University in Beruit back in the 1960s; while one might think that this makes the text dated, this would be incorrect. Much in the way that the basic core of Christianity remains remarkably constant despite the progress of culture, so too does the heart of Islam. One of the interesting observations of the author is that Islam faces the same kind of modern crisis as Christianity, in that the younger generation has lost touch with the religion and faith of their ancestors; while this is particularly true in Muslim countries with Western educational models, it is increasingly true in other parts of the world, as many become 'cultural Muslims', but not religious Muslims.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr does a good job at showing Islam in comparative terms, in a manner that those more familiar with other religious constructs (particularly Judaism and Christianity) will find intelligible. There are six major sections -- the first addresses Islam in general, placing it historically and philosophically as a universal religion as well as a particular religion, a primordial religion as well as the 'last' of the religions. The second explores the Quran (Koran), its development and place in Islam, the difficulties inherent in translation and interpretation, and the three main types of literature contained within the Quran. The third addresses the prophet himself, Mohammad, his life and history, as well as the development of his image and legacy beyond his life time. The fourth section is on the Shariah, or divine law, its derivation from the Quran and development over time. The fifth looks at Tariqah, Sufiism and the mystical side of Islam. Finally, the author looks at the major division of the Sunnite and Shiite groupings, some of the major contrasts as well as the similarities.

The book has a wonderful spirit about it -- perhaps ironically for me, given my mystic and spirituality interests, the chapter that touched me most was that on the Shariah, the divine law, and made me for a time wish to study very deeply into the complexities and schools of Shariah, and develop the author's parallel he draws with the Talmud.

This might be a bit difficult to come by, but in a time when it really pays to understand the major points and ideals of Islam, this is a book that deserves to be read and studied.