Islam: A First Encounter [Paperback]

An introduction to Islam that has its focus on the practices and beliefs of ordinary people and on the issues that Western readers encounter in news reports.An introduction to Islam that has its focus on the practices and beliefs of ordinary people and on the issues that Western readers encounter in news reports.Introduction: What is Islam? 1. Muhammad 2. The Qur'an 3. After Muhammad 4. Five Basic Beliefs 5. Witness, Prayer, and Almsgiving 6. Fasting and Pilgrimage 7. The Mosque 8. Law and Authority 9. Shiism 10. Spiritual Life 11. Private Life 12. Islamism and Jihad 13. Modern Political Challenges, Part 1 (Egypt, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Afghanistan) 14. Modern Political Challenges, Part 2 (Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Nigeria and Indonesia) 15. Muslims in Europe 16. Muslims in North America Conclusion: Who is a Muslim Author and Acknowledgements Index