Islam: A Brief History, 2nd Edition

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.