Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World (Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks)

The author departs from the Middle Eastern-focused orientation of many guides to Islam, focusing on the religion as a worldwide phenomenon that is practiced by twenty percent of the world's population, covering the various movements within the religion that affect the modern world. (Religion--Islam) Recipient of the 2004 Bashrahil Prize for Outstanding Cultural Achievement in the HumanitiesAn introduction to Islam, today the faith of more than a billion people, set in the context of world history and of religious studies.Carl Ernst brings together Islamic religious thought and lived experience to examine traditional spirituality and the contentious issues confronting Muslims today. His approach is balanced - both sympathetic and critical.Besides providing a guide to the fundamental aspects of Islam - its sacred sources, ethical systems and spiritual practices - the author encourages the reader to reflect on these topics. This compact introduction appeals to all those who want to understand both the historical aspects of Islam as well as the place of Islam in the contemporary critical perspective on Western attitudes toward Islam.*A clarification of the contemporary importance of Islam both in Euro-American and in Afro-Asiatic countries and a context for understanding extremist movements like fundamentalism.*Access to the voice of Muslims, through translations of texts into English.*An overview of the critical debates on such important contemporary issues as gender and veiling, state politics, and science and ethics. With Translations Of Selections From Islamic Texts, Some Appearing In English For The First Time, Ernst Offers Access To Muslim Voices And Key Themes, Particularly The Central Role Of The Prophet Muhammad. He Concludes With An Overview Of Critical Debates On Important Contemporary Issues Such As Gender And Veiling, State Politics, And Science And Religion. A Concise Selected Reading List Provides A Helpful Guide For Future Study. This Engaging Introduction To Islam Should Be Every Non-muslim's First Resource For Learning About A Religion That Is A Major Presence In The World.--jacket. Islam In The Eyes Of The West -- Approaching Islam In Terms Of Religion -- The Sacred Sources Of Islam -- Ethics And Life In The World -- Spirituality In Practice -- Postscript: Reimagining Islam In The Twenty-first Century. Carl W. Ernst. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Avoiding the traps of sensational political exposes and specialized scholarly Orientalism, Carl Ernst introduces readers to the profound spiritual resources of Islam while clarifying diversity and debate within the tradition. Framing his argument in terms of religious studies, Ernst describes how Protestant definitions of religion and anti-Muslim prejudice have affected views of Islam in Europe and America. He also covers the contemporary importance of Islam in both its traditional settings and its new locations and provides a context for understanding extremist movements like fundamentalism. He concludes with an overview of critical debates on important contemporary issues such as gender and veiling, state politics, and science and religion.

Islam In The Eyes Of The West -- Approaching Islam In Terms Of Religion -- The Sacred Sources Of Islam -- Ethics And Life In The World -- Spirituality In Practice -- Postscript -- Notes -- Suggested Further Reading -- Index. Carl W. Ernst. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 215-232) And Index. Seeking to avoid the traps of sensational political expose and specialized scholarly Orientalism, this is an introduction to the profound spiritual resources of Islam. The author moves away from a Middle Eastern bias, addressing the pluralistic nature of Muslim societies and thought An introduction to Islam set in the context of world history and religious studies. Carl Ernst brings together Islamic religious thought and lived experience to examine traditional spirituality and the contentious issues confronting Muslims today For more than thirty years I have been convinced that the greatest contemporary gap in understanding lies between the majority of Americans and Europeans-the so-called West-and the rest of the world.