Islam and the Muslim Community

by Frederick M. Denny

This comprehensive text combines the historical and the topical into an accessible introduction to the Islamic tradition and the worldwide Muslim community. It interprets the doctrines, devotional practices, and institutions of Islam and provides a ready understanding of world events involving the Islamic Jihad movements, the controversy over the adoption of Islamic holy law, and the Islamic revival. Denny explicates the doctrines, ritual practices, and institutional forms of Islam with special attention to their sources in the Qur'an, Islam's sacred scripture, and the Sunna, the record of Muhammad's teachings and personal example. He explores the Shari'a--Islam's holy law--both in its content and its practical application. He also examines the differences between the Sunni and the Shi'i forms of Islam in their historical, theological, and sociopolitical perspectives. Importantly, the book provides a sense of Islamic spirituality and its persisting mystical tradition, strongly influenced by Sufism.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1987

Reviews

[zara sayel · Rating 3 out of 5]

he said so much yet so little; the only thing i got from this was that Muhammed Ali’s name, before he converted to Islam, was Cassius Clay. also the terms and statistics are very outdated but i’ll ignore that considering it was published in 1987

[Sofia DR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Id say higher than a 3 but not a 4 bcs 4 and up are the books i really enjoyed and couldnt wait to keep reading

i think it was a really good overview and I understand Islam way better, but i do think it lacked certain details and context in certain areas such as talk abt purdahs

thanks prof Mat

on to hinduism

[Nate]

Learned all about Islam. Good read but a bit dated.

[Lesli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given how much Islam is in the news these days, some reading and review seemed in order. I was looking for a neutral (insofar as that's possible) source, and came upon this book at a sale. Combined with what I already know, it seems to be sympathetic, but not in search of converts. For instance, Muhammed's quarrel with the Jews of Medina is given a few sentences, and he correctly states that all of the men were executed (about 600, though he doesn't state that) and the women and children were "deported." Other sources I've read have them sold into slavery, which is a bit different.

One short passage that gives me pause comes as the author is describing the five pillars of Islam. The first is the Shahada, the expression of faith that one makes to convert. Denny tells of an incident that happened during one of his lectures: "...one of my students was inspired to utter the Shahada in the middle of my lecture. he had evidently been thinking about his potential commitment to Islam for some time, but when he felt the call of God in the classroom, he could not resist. Two Mulim students in the class embraced the student and together the three performed a joyful prayer prostration while the class looked on in surprise, awe, and respect lightened by cheerfulness."

I can promise you that if I had been in that room, I would have looked on in astonishment and embarrassment. Granted, I'd feel the same way if, for instance, a young man got down on one knee and proposed in class. Some things are just not meant to be done in public, let alone in the middle of a university course.

This interlude put me off a bit, because Denny so clearly approved, and saw approval in the classroom. This doesn't mean that Denny can't be objective in his retelling of Islam's history and of its basics, but it was a departure from a more objective view.

I'm about half way through, and will update this review when I finish.