No God But God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of IslamA fascinating, accessible introduction to Islam from the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Zealot Though it is the fastest-growing religion in the world, Islam remains shrouded in ignorance and fear for much of the West. In No god but God, Reza Aslan, an internationally acclaimed scholar of religions, explains this faith in all its beauty and complexity. Beginning with a vivid account of the social and religious milieu in which the Prophet Muhammad forged his message, Aslan paints a portrait of the first Muslim community as a radical experiment in religious pluralism and social egalitarianism. He demonstrates how, after the Prophet's death, his successors attempted to interpret his message for future generations-an overwhelming task that fractured the Muslim community into competing sects. Finally, Aslan examines how, in the shadow of European colonialism, Muslims developed conflicting strategies to reconcile traditional Islamic values with the realities of the modern world, thus launching what Aslan terms the Islamic Reformation. Timely and persuasive, No god but God is an elegantly written account of a magnificent yet misunderstood faith. |
Contents
PREISLAMIC ARABIA | 3 |
The Keeper of the Keys | 23 |
The City of the Prophet | 50 |
THE MEANING OF JIHAD | 75 |
THE SUCCESSORS TO MUHAMMAD | 107 |
This Religion Is a Science | 140 |
FROM SHI ISM TO KHOMEINISM | 171 |
Stain Your Prayer Rug with Wine | 194 |
An Awakening in the East | 220 |
Slouching Toward Medina | 249 |
Works Consulted | 289 |
Other editions - View all
No god but God (Updated Edition): The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam Reza Aslan Limited preview - 2011 |
No god but God (Updated Edition): The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam Reza Aslan Limited preview - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
Abu Bakr ahl al-bayt Aisha al-Afghani al-Banna al-Ma'mun al-Tabari Ali's Allah Arab Arabian Peninsula argued army Banu Hashim Banu Qurayza believe Caliph called century Christian claim considered democracy desert dhikr divine doctrine Egypt Empire faith Faqih God's hadith Hakam Hanif Hasan Hijaz human Husayn ideals ideology Imam India interpretation Iran Iranian Jesus Jewish clans Jews jihad Ka'ba Kahin Karbala Khadija Kharijites Khomeini Kufa Layla leader mad's Mahdi Majnun means Mecca Medina monotheism moral mosque movement Mu'awiyah Muham Muhammad Muhammad's death Muslim Brothers Muslim community Muslim world mystical oasis pagan pilgrimage political pre-Islamic Arabia Prophet quote Quran Quraysh Qutb recitation reform religion religious authority Revelation rituals sacred sanctuary Saudi Sayyid scholars scripture secular Shariah Shaykh Shi'ah Shi'atu Shi'ism Shi'ite social society spiritual Sufi Sufism theology tion Traditionalist traditions tribal tribe Ulama Umar Umayyad Ummah unity Uthman verses Wahhabism women words Yathrib Zayd