Muslims: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices

This concise and authoritative guide provides a survey of Islamic history and thought from the formative period of the religion down to modern times. It examines the unique elements which have combined to form Islam, in particular the Qur'#xC4;n and the influence of Muhammad, and traces the ways in which these sources have interacted historically to create Muslim theology and law as well as the alternative visions of Islam found in Shi'ism and Sufism. Combining core source materials with coverage of current scholarship and of recent events in the Islamic world, Andrew Rippin introduces this hugely significant religion in a succinct, challenging and refreshing way. Using a distinctive critical approach that promotes engagement with key issues, from fundamentalism and women#xE2;#xAC;"s rights to problems of identity and modernity, it is ideal for students and general readers seeking a deepened understanding of Muslims and their faith. The improved and expanded fourth edition contains brand new material on the significance of Islamophobia for Muslim identity as well as a series of text boxes to stimulate thinking about essay topics and research projects. The book is now complemented by a full companion website that provides access to additional references and resources.

Andrew Rippin is Professor of History and former Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Victoria, Canada. He has written and edited several books on Islam and the Qur'an, including Classical Islam: A Sourcebook of Religious Literature and The Islamic World, both published by Routledge.