Islam: A Very Short Introduction

by Malise Ruthven

Book Overview

Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant versions. But few people in the non-Muslim world really understand the nature of Islam, both as Ideology and religion. Islam: A Very Short Introduction offers essential insight into the structure and beliefs of this major world religion.
Malise Ruthven answers fundamental questions about the nature and scope of Islam such as why the greatest Jihad (holy war) is now against the enemies...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192853899
• ISBN13: 9780192853899
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.8" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Academic Judgments Now Eclipsed By History

As usual this Very Short Introduction is right on target, that is, a quick and lucid overview of a major world religion. Yet, the post-September 11th times have sadly eclipsed the author's judgment about the future pietist or quietist trend in Islam. Perhaps in the long view his opinions will be justified at a future date, but for now they just seem to be prematurely dated. Despite that apparently negative comment from this reviewer, there is no better place to start learning about Islam than with Ruthven's book.