Islam

by Ismail R. al-Faruqi

The second half of the twentieth century has brought about a new awareness of Islam and Muslims to the inhabitants of Europe and North America. Due to our increased political, economic, and social contacts with Muslims, it is becoming ever more important - nay, crucial - for us to understand the religion and culture of Islam. Such an understanding is not easy, author Ismail R. al Faruqi points out, for Western thinking is clouded by prejudices about Islam, its culture, and its adherents. It is time to launch a new effort that will seek to bridge the gulf separating westerners and Muslims. Professor al Faruqi's book is an invitation to the reader to attempt such an understanding. This volume seeks to portray the beliefs, practices, institutions, and history of Islam from the inside - as its adherents see them. The seven chapters explore these (1) who are the Muslims and what are their basic beliefs; (2) the five pillars, or basic tenets, of Islam; (3) the prophethood of Muhammad and major Muslim celebrations; (4,5,6) the social, economic, and political ideals and institutions of Islam; and (7) the effect of Islamic beliefs on artistic expression and an overview of Islamic history.

83 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Isma'il Raji al-Faruqi (January 1, 1921 – May 27, 1986) was a Palestinian-American philosopher, widely recognised by his peers as an authority on Islam and comparative religion. He spent several years at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, then taught at several universities in North America, including McGill University in Montreal. He was Professor of Religion at Temple University, where he founded and chaired the Islamic Studies program. Dr. al-Faruqi was also the founder of the International Institute of Islamic Thought. He wrote over 100 articles for various scholarly journals and magazines in addition to 25 books, of the most notable being Christian Ethics: A Historical and Systematic Analysis of Its Dominant Ideas. He also established the Islamic Studies Group of the American Academy of Religion and chaired it for ten years. He served as the vice-president of the Inter-Religious Peace Colloqium, The Muslim-Jewish-Christian Conference and as the president of the American Islamic College in Chicago.
Al-Faruqi and his wife, Lois Lamya al-Faruqi, were stabbed to death in their home in Wyncote, Pennsylvania on May 27, 1986.