An Introduction to Islam, 3rd Edition
by Frederick Mathewson Denny
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Book Summary Information
Author: Frederick Mathewson DennyEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-03-05
ISBN: 0131835637
Number of pages: 432
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Book Reviews of An Introduction to Islam, 3rd Edition
Book Review: Introduction to Islam
Summary: 3 Stars
This text was one used in my grad-level course on Islam. I enrolled in this class because, as a Christian, I wanted a deeper understanding of Islam. In particular, I wanted to be able to speak intelligently within Christian circles about Islam, particularly because of the current political tension that has so many fearfully approaching the topic, often with a set of stereotypical, illogical ideas. My motives for reading this book are definitely the lens through which I write this review. I found this book full of tedious information but ultimately lacking practical synthesis. If you want a historical account of the roots, both political and philosophical, of Islam then this is a fine book, although his chapters are often organized in a rather confusing manner (my fellow students are in basic agreement on this point, each of us having to present on several chapters). If you want a book that will help the average person understand the basic tenants of Islam and assist the reader in understanding Islam as a movement; if you want to be able to feel like you really have a grasp on Islam, particularly in how it relates to the current global climate, then I would suggest you keep looking. Denny really doesn't delve into modern relevance until the last portion of the book. I also felt that the author was unconvincing to some extent. He obviously is arguing in favor of Islam as a religion, and I am not critiquing this. But, he fails to offer some much needed critique of enculturated-Islam's past, and when he does, he has a tendency to justify unethical historical/political choices by claiming that Christianity has behaved in even more unethical ways. Now, while I wouldn't argue with his critique of enculturated-Christianity's often unethical behavior as an institutionalized movement (think "the Inquisition!"), but this is a logical fallacy. It is an error to defend one wrong by demonstrating another (perhaps worse) wrong. Critique of religious movements is healthy and necessary for they often (being human-run) get "off-track" and a little more critique would have strengthened Denny's argument in favor of Islam. All-in-all, I would suggest this book as a supplement to a library on Islam but not as a primary text to understand the movement.
Summary of An Introduction to Islam, 3rd Edition
The book provides readers with a thorough and unified topical introduction to the global religious community of Islam. KEY TOPICS: The book examines is connections with Judeo-Christian morals. The integration of the doctrinal and devotional elements of Islam enables readers to see how Muslims think and live. It also reviews pre-Islamic history so readers can see how Islam developed historically.General Books
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