Islam

March 15, 2005
Ayoub (Islamic studies & comparative religion, Temple Univ.) argues that "Islam, as indeed all living faiths, must guide both the private and public lives of its followers along the spiritual and moral straight paths that lead to God and the Good." He provides a substantial history and a fine introduction to Muhammad, Islamic texts, and concepts like prophethood, the Five Pillars, and Sufism. Where appropriate, he seeks to illustrate affinities among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (i.e., notions of a monotheistic God, Jesus as prophet, and Abraham as patriarch). However, recent political tensions, such as the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and 9/11, merit mere paragraphs. Furthermore, Ayoub avoids interrogating explosive cultural notions like veiling, "hijab" (female dress or head coverings), or jihad ("struggle"), presenting the mere basics without necessarily admitting or examining their volatile connotations in the Western context. That said, this is recommended as an eminently accessible Islamic primer. -Sandra Collins, Duquesne Univ. Lib., PA

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