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Islam for Dummies
Books: Text Books: Islam: Item 6
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Islam for Dummiesby Malcolm Clark
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: If by "dummies" you mean "college freshmen," then yes, this is for dummies., July 1, 2006 Reviewer:Kurt Conner (Boston, MA USA) - I eagerly anticipated this book after finishing the delightful Judaism for Dummies. That book, written by two Jewish men, was funny, warm, and informative. It was full of helpful hints and personal anecdotes. I feel like I got not just the facts but also the flavor of certain aspects of Jewish culture. This is not that book. This book, written by a Christian college professor, is academic and dry. The structure, with its long chapters, begs devoted study, not the kind of "when you can find the time" style that seems more suited to dummies like me. I was disappointed that it was written by a non-Muslim, as I could have grabbed any scholarly text just to learn the facts (my favorite part of Judaism for Dummies is how personal it was, and I really thought I would read stories about growing up Muslim and rites of passage and the little things that matter to a believer that a non-believer wouldn't immediately notice on his own). As this is my first serious study of the history and beliefs of Islam, I can't make any guesses on accuracy, but with this style of writing, I don't know that I'm going to be around to notice any major mistakes in the last third of the book. I will probably finish the book because I'm stubborn, and I really am interested in knowing what Muslims believe, but I wish I had chosen a different book to start my study. Or maybe that I hadn't read an entertaining Dummies book before falling asleep on top of this one.
Book Description
Many non-Muslims have no idea that Muslims worship the same God as Christians and Jews, and that Islam preaches compassion, charity, humility, and the brotherhood of man. And the similarities don’t end there. According to Islamic teaching, Muhammad founded Islam in 610 CE after the angel Gabriel appeared to him at Mecca and told him that God had entered him among the ranks of such great biblical prophets as Abraham, Moses, and Christ.
Whether you live or work alongside Muslims and want to relate to them better, or you simply want to gain a better understanding of the world’s second largest religion, Islam For Dummies can help you make sense of this religion and its appeal. From the Qur’an to Ramadan, this friendly guide introduces you to the origins, practices and beliefs of Islam, including:
- Muhammad, the man and the legend
- The Five Pillars of Wisdom
- The Five Essentials beliefs of Islam
- The different branches of Islam and Islamic sects
- The Qur’an and Islamic law
- Islam throughout history and its impact around the world
Professor Malcolm Clark explores the roots of Islam, how it has developed over the centuries, and it’s long and complex relationship with Christianity. He helps puts Islam in perspective as a major cultural and geopolitical force. And he provided helpful insights into, among other things:
- Muhammad, the Qur’an and the ethical teachings of Islam
- Muslim worship, customs, and rituals surrounding birth, marriage, and death
- Shi’ites, Sunnis, Sufis, Druze, and other important Muslim groups
- Islam in relation to Judaism and Christianity
In these troubled times, it is important that we try to understand the belief systems of others, for through understanding comes peace. Islam For Dummies helps you build bridges of understanding between you and your neighbors in the global village.
Back Cover Copy
Find out about customs, history, and Islamic law
From faith, prayer, and fasting to charity and pilgrimage, understand Muslim life
You don’t have to be Muslim to understand Islam. This friendly guide introduces you to the origins and practices of Islam, including the Five Pillars and life-cycle rituals. You’ll discover the significance of Muhammad and the Qur’an and meet the various Islamic sects. You’ll also see how Islam has adapted over time and read about current developments in the Islamic world.
The Dummies Way
- Explanations in plain English
- "Get in, get out" information
- Icons and other navigational aids
- Tear-out cheat sheet
- Top ten lists
- A dash of humor and fun
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