Islam: Beliefs and Observances

This concise study examines Islam as a world religious, cultural, and political force, beginning with its founding by the prophet Muhammad in the early seventh century A.D. Islam's holy scripture, the Qur'an, is explained in detail, and the core of Islamic beliefs and obligations are made clear. Also explained in detail are Islam's many sects, its relationship to Europe's medieval Christian culture, its dissemination throughout the world, and its present worldwide religious and political dynamism. In this new edition, the author provides information on the present day's most militant sects and their power centers in countries that include Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Indonesia, among others. He also offers a post-September 11th analysis of motivations that inspire some extremist Islamic factions.
* Footnotes * Glossary * Bibliography * Index
New in this edition: Motivations that inspire Islamic extremist factions