Islam

Tamara Sonn is the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of Humanities in the Department of Religious Studies at the College of William & Mary. She is the author of numerous books, including Interpreting Islam (1996) and Comparing Religions through Law (with J. Neusner, 1999), and is co-editor-in-chief of the Wiley-Blackwell online journal, Religion Compass .

List of Illustrations Foreword Preface Preface to the First Edition Maps 1. Many Paths to One God: Establishing the Ideals The Quran The Quran and Other Scriptures Themes of the Quran The Exemplary Life of Muhammad, Prophet of Islam: The Sunna The Early Muslim Community and the Pillars of Islam The Successors ("Caliphs") Early Communal Disputes Conclusion 2. The Pursuit of Knowledge in the Service of God and Humanity: The Golden Age Institutions Law Political Structure Cultural Achievements Spirituality and the Mystical Tradition: Sufism Conclusion 3. Division and Reorganization The Crusades and Other Disasters The Decline of the Abbasids and Rise of the Ottomans Persia: The Safavid Empire India and the Rise of the Mughals Understanding Developments in Islamic History Conclusion 4. Colonialism and Reform Colonialism The Outcome of World War I The Effects of Colonialism: The Challenge of Islamic Reform Themes of Islamic Reform: Personal Initiative and Social Solidarity Themes of Islamic Reform: Ijtihad Themes of Islamic Reform: Commitment to Learning Conclusion 5. Obstacles and Prospects for Islamic Reform Obstacles: The Impact of Colonialism Prospects for the Future Islam, Human Rights, and Democracy Islam among World Religions Notes Further Reading Source Acknowledgments Index