Product Description

This introduction to Islam for Western readers explores the fundamental religious beliefs held by Muslims for nearly 1400 years. It covers the four dimensions of Islam - practice, faith, spirituality and the Islamic view of history, as outlined in the Hadith of Gabriel. Interweaving teachings from the Koran, the sayings of the Prophet, and the great authorities of the tradition, the book introduces the essentials of each dimension. It then goes on to describe how each has been manifest in Islamic institutions throughout the course of history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #882401 in Books
• Published on: 1996-12-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Customer Reviews

Best intro -- AND the best in-depth exposition -- of Islam
I think of myself as a Muslim, and I was born, raised and (initially) educated in a Muslim country where Islamic studies is a part of the curriculum -- however, this book provided me with an insight into Islam that I had never come across before. Its beauty lies in its attempt to present Islamic thought and understanding as the Islamic tradition itself has conceived -- the Islamic tradition of the past 14 centuries, and not just of recent theologians. The best aspect of the book is that it tries to present WHAT ISLAMIC CONCEPTS ARE, rather than why they are right (as some Muslims often try to show) or why they are not so right (as some non Muslims try to show). And it presents the concepts in a way that is comprehensible to the modern mind (with all its specific ways of looking at the world) but without taking away from Islam -- i.e. without CHANGING or HIDING those aspects of Islam that the modern mind might find displeasing.

Because of these reasons, I think the book is a must-read for anyone interested in Islam -- since it concentrates on HOW ISLAMIC SCHOLARS HAVE ELUCIDATED ON ISLAMIC CONCEPTS, without passing any kind of judgement on these concepts, it is extremely illuminating for the Muslim as well as the non Muslim trying to understand Islam -- the reader can pass his own judgement. It is for this reason that I have already bought/ recommended this book to many close Muslim friends/ family, and this is the one book that I plan to give all my non Muslim friends to read as well, just to make them understand my religion.

Best book on Islam for Western audience, I think
I've read this book and so far it's the best one that describes the way Islam is actually seen through Muslim eyes (by apparently non-Muslim authors!). The way the book approaches the subject is also fresh (beginning and building upon the Hadith of Gabriel) and evidently sufi-inspired. This book really is a revelation of sorts - which is kinda weird considering that I'm a Muslim myself! Admittedly some parts of the book is very hard to follow when it delves into the realms of the metaphysical, but that shouldn't put you off: precisely because of this 'difficulty' that I become seriously interested in comparative religion and philosophy in general. In fact, I'm here because I'm trying to get a good copy of The Vision of Islam at an affordable price (new ones a bit out of my range, sigh...).

The best introduction to Islam
Murata and Chittick approach Islam from the Muslim perspective through the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet). They dispense with the historical narrative explanations of the religion, and concentrate on the religious concepts that together make the heart of the faith. This is religion as it should be studied, the approach (known as the phenomonological approach) gives the reader an insight into the individual Muslim's understanding of the faith, their relationship to God and how this, in turn, impacts on society. All too often, books on religion either shy away from this approach or ignore it completely. The result is an unprejudiced, non-judgemental book that is accessible to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. A friend of mine who read the book commented 'Being particularly interested in current affairs, I always saw Islam as a violent religion, but this book, from the word go, radiates peace and shows the peace within Islam'. Rather apt as 'Islam' translates as 'peace' and 'submission' - the complete definition being 'peace through submission'. Muslims are therefore striving for peace through submission to God - a process this books charts with objectivity, compassion, understanding and reason. I cannot recommend it enough to Muslims and people interested in a grounded understanding of Islam.