Ideals and Realities of Islam

Professor Nasr presents here a very readable introduction to Islam. What is especially interesting about this book is that Professor Nasr attempts to introduce to the reader all aspects of Islam. Not just Sunni and Shia but also Ismaili tradition. The book also includes a list for further reading. Covered in the book are set chapters concerning the Quran, the life of the Prophet Muhammad, the early history of Islam, jurisprudence and Sufism. An excellent read but this book is nothing more than an introduction, further reading is required.

Some twenty-five years ago, I had my first real exposure to the teachings of Islam, through the gentle teachings of my professor Victor Danner and this text by Seyyed Hossein Nasr. As the introduction states, there are few books in English which treat Islam from its own point of view. The two primary audiences are Westerners who wish to know something about Islam, both in ideal and in practice, as well as the Muslim who has received Western education. The chapters of this book each derive from lectures delivered at the American University in Beruit back in the 1960s; while one might think that this makes the text dated, this would be incorrect. Much in the way that the basic core of Christianity remains remarkably constant despite the progress of culture, so too does the heart of Islam. One of the interesting observations of the author is that Islam faces the same kind of modern crisis as Christianity, in that the younger generation has lost touch with the religion and faith of their ancestors; while this is particularly true in Muslim countries with Western educational models, it is increasingly true in other parts of the world, as many become 'cultural Muslims', but not religious Muslims. Seyyed Hossein Nasr does a good job at showing Islam in comparative terms, in a manner that those more familiar with other religious constructs (particularly Judaism and Christianity) will find intelligible. There are six major sections -- the first addresses Islam in general, placing it historically and philosophically as a universal religion as well as a particular religion, a primordial religion as well as the 'last' of the religions. The second explores the Quran (Koran), its development and place in Islam, the difficulties inherent in translation and interpretation, and the three main types of literature contained within the Quran. The third addresses the prophet himself, Mohammad, his life and history, as well as the development of his image and legacy beyond his life time. The fourth section is on the Shariah, or divine law, its derivation from the Quran and development over time. The fifth looks at Tariqah, Sufiism and the mystical side of Islam. Finally, the author looks at the major division of the Sunnite and Shiite groupings, some of the major contrasts as well as the similarities. The book has a wonderful spirit about it -- perhaps ironically for me, given my mystic and spirituality interests, the chapter that touched me most was that on the Shariah, the divine law, and made me for a time wish to study very deeply into the complexities and schools of Shariah, and develop the author's parallel he draws with the Talmud. This might be a bit difficult to come by, but in a time when it really pays to understand the major points and ideals of Islam, this is a book that deserves to be read and studied.

Some twenty-five years ago, I had my first real exposure to the teachings of Islam, through the gentle teachings of my professor Victor Danner and this text by Seyyed Hossein Nasr. As the introduction states, there are few books in English which treat Islam from its own point of view. The two primary audiences are Westerners who wish to know something about Islam, both in ideal and in practice, as well as the Muslim who has received Western education. The chapters of this book each derive from lectures delivered at the American University in Beruit back in the 1960s; while one might think that this makes the text dated, this would be incorrect. Much in the way that the basic core of Christianity remains remarkably constant despite the progress of culture, so too does the heart of Islam. One of the interesting observations of the author is that Islam faces the same kind of modern crisis as Christianity, in that the younger generation has lost touch with the religion and faith of their ancestors; while this is particularly true in Muslim countries with Western educational models, it is increasingly true in other parts of the world, as many become 'cultural Muslims', but not religious Muslims. Seyyed Hossein Nasr does a good job at showing Islam in comparative terms, in a manner that those more familiar with other religious constructs (particularly Judaism and Christianity) will find intelligible. There are six major sections -- the first addresses Islam in general, placing it historically and philosophically as a universal religion as well as a particular religion, a primordial religion as well as the 'last' of the religions. The second explores the Quran (Koran), its development and place in Islam, the difficulties inherent in translation and interpretation, and the three main types of literature contained within the Quran. The third addresses the prophet himself, Mohammad, his life and history, as well as the development of his image and legacy beyond his life time. The fourth section is on the Shariah, or divine law, its derivation from the Quran and development over time. The fifth looks at Tariqah, Sufiism and the mystical side of Islam. Finally, the author looks at the major division of the Sunnite and Shiite groupings, some of the major contrasts as well as the similarities.The book has a wonderful spirit about it -- perhaps ironically for me, given my mystic and spirituality interests, the chapter that touched me most was that on the Shariah, the divine law, and made me for a time wish to study very deeply into the complexities and schools of Shariah, and develop the author's parallel he draws with the Talmud.This might be a bit difficult to come by, but in a time when it really pays to understand the major points and ideals of Islam, this is a book that deserves to be read and studied.

This is a great introduction to Islam by a professor of Islamic Studies at the George Washington University. It's written for Western readers and relates pretty well to the kinds of questions and preconconceptions the Western reader has about Islam. It's not as easy to read as, say, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Islam" (which is also not a bad starting place, actually) and it does require some concentration, but it is an in-depth analysis of Islamic principles without being so scholarly that it's totally inaccessible. One thing to note: this is more a book on the academic and theoretical aspects of Islam, such as divine law, the Qur'an, Sunni vs. Shi'i Islam, etc. It doesn't cover the day to day beliefs and practices of your average Muslim. So for someone who wants to learn about the 2nd largest religion in the world, this is definitely one of the books to get. But it might be good to get another one to read in conjunction, one that covers what Muslims themselves are like, such as "American Muslims" or "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Islam."

This book is, if you read enough of them, which thanks god he has written plenty, you can tell by Sayyid Nasr. It has logic built in to it.Main topic is response to Orientalist in their effort to minimize Islam and reduce it to just a Arab custom. Nasr responds to all their claims(may be not all there are so many)and seems to me that he bases all his responses on the idea that Orientalist do not belive Islam being a God given religion. He shows that when they attack Islam they use the arguments that say not having a good logical foundation but in turn they use same arguments in their own religion as fundemantel concepts. As Nasr puts it,He is ready to accept these claims from idolaters but not from the people of the book, for we all have the same fundemantel beliefs about how religions are revealed. All religions are based on some sort of belief and I believe even the quran states that this book is for believers who believe in unseen. What makes Islam better than others is for me that it has more reason and concept built into it.