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Islam

A Short Guide to the Faith
by Shawkat M. Toorawa
Islam: A Short Guide to the Faith. Eerdmans. 2011. c.186p. ed. by Roger Allen & Shawkat M. Toorawa. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780802866004. pap. $20. REL
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Islam, which means "surrender" or "submission," is a pervasive faith that boasts 1.5 billion adherents worldwide. Allen (Arabic & comparative literature, Univ. of Pennsylvania) and Toorawa (Arabic literature & Islamic studies, Cornell Univ.) have assembled a collection of pithy essays that serve as an authoritative overview of the Islamic faith, including discussion of the religion's founder, Muhammad; its holy text, the Koran; and its different groups of followers (e.g., Sunni and Shiite). Especially intriguing are pieces on Islam's relationship to the other titans of monotheism, Judaism and Christianity. There is also a piece on the controversial and misunderstood topic of the role of women in Islamic faith. For instance, without Khadija, Muhammad's first wife, neither the Koran nor Islam would exist. The book also delves into the rise and influence of Islam in the United States.
VERDICT This scholarly yet accessible guide provides a rich, condensed overview of Islamic history, beliefs, philosophy, law, architecture, and more. With a helpful glossary and a multimedia bibliography. Appropriate for academic libraries—especially those with strong collections in religious studies and theology—as well as public libraries that need to diversify as well as expand their collections.
Reviewed by Brian Smith McCallum, Arlington Heights Memorial Lib., IL , May 01, 2011
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