Islam-An Introduction: An Introduction

Schimmel is a trustworthy guide for those unfamiliar with Islam. She has devoted a life-time of study to it and condenses her considerable learning into this short and clear book. She is a refreshingly sober starting point given these overheated times. For those thirsting for a bit more in the way of an extended introductory survey of Islam, I would recommend 'Visions of Islam' by Chittick & Murata.

In a field where textbooks are often beyond the comprehension of the general reading public, where the by-word of academic rigor often results in books that even undergraduates cannot fathom, often the only alternative is the "pulp journalism" characteristic of "international" correspondents who base their credibility on a few trips to the Near and Middle East. They generally do not know the languages of the areas in question, and come to conclusions that tell us more about their ignorance than they do about the religion and society they are supposedly so well informed about. Schimmel, however, is not characterized by any of these shortcomings. She is an established academic, the doyenne of Islamic studies (especially Islamic mysticism); yet she writes with a clarity and purposefulness which virtually anyone can understand. She brings a sympathetic and yet not uncritical eye to her subject matter. The only seeming difficulty she displays is the understandable desire to include as much as possible in her "Introduction". This gives her work something of the feel of a "Review" as well as being introductory. No matter; this can only serve to enhance the ultimate value of the book.

I am a Muslim and consider myself reasonably educated about Islam, but I hadnt realized the true diversity in Islam until I read this book. Truly magnificent snapshot of Islam, its Founder the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), its beliefs and practices and the history of Islam, its various movements, its flavors....The book is very easy reading, and in my oppinion, to a westerner, this book is perhaps as good an introduction to Islam as can be.Professor Schimmel is most well versed and experienced in the topic that she address in this book. Her credentials regarding the subject are very high indeed.

This is a simple, highly readable and quick introduction on Islam: a multi-dimensional and dynamic religion that is growing very rapidly in all parts of the world. Professor Schimmel has done an excellent job of introducing this great religion as it has been practiced since centuries. I highly recommend this book to journalists and people who are related to media to get a clearer and true understanding of this religion. This book does its part of justice to clarify some of the misconceptions about Islam in media. I also recommend this book to readers who already have an understanding of this religion; Professor Schimmel besides introducing Islam (both its form and essence) also provide her views from the understanding of vast body of Islamic literature, history and culture. I would like to specially point to the last section of this book in which Professor Schimmel discusses the future of Islam in today's currents of modernism. She has provided some of her most summed up thoughts about this topic, which I am sure, will make sense to most of young Muslim readers like me. I also highly recommend her book on the topic of the "Mystical Dimensions of Islam."

Ms. Schimmel's Islam: An Intoduction, is an excellent concise introduction to the Islamic faith. The book is used as a textbook in my Intro to Islam class.