Islam: Beliefs and Observances

What I like best about Caesar Farah's "Islam: Beliefs and Observances" is the variety of information provided on the different sects of Islam. The author interestingly enough, published the first edition of this book in 1967! The sixth edition contains its own forward by Farah, dated 1999. This updated edition does away with some of the errors included in previous editions, including the urban legend propagated by some Islamic proselytes that famed oceanographer Jaques Cousteau converted to Islam (he didn't--this was disproven in 1991--Cousteau passed away in 1997 and his funeral was held in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris). At 468 pages, this volume offers information on the time and place into which Muhammad was born, raised, married, had a family, came into his beliefs, and rose to found a religion and rule an empire. Farah offers the early history of the Islamic movement as driven by Muhammad, his struggles, his personal life, influences upon him. Farah is generally thorough in the space offered, but doesn't delve into some of the better known major controversy concerning the Quran's historicity (for more on this, please see "23 Years: A Study of the Prophetic Career of Mohammad" by Ali Dashti). He does however approach other subjects touchy to many Muslims, explaining the story of the so-called "Satanic Verses" originally included in the Quran and later expunged by Muhammad, though he fails to discuss the modern controversy caused by the well-known author of fiction, Salman Rushdie due to his work of fiction by the same name. Author Caesar Farah explains not only the basics such as what Muslims believe, who Muhammad was, etc., but also why there are different sects in Islam, how those sects came about, what they believe, why they strive against one another, and vital information concerning other prominent leaders of different Islamic movements through the ages. Among the various groups expounded upon are the Kharijites, Ismailis, Shia, Qarmatians, Assassins, Druze, Nusayris, Matawilah, Zaydis, Shiah extremists, Sunnism, as well as the various sources of Islamic power and the main schools of Islamic jurisprudence (legal precident). Too numerous to name here, concepts such as sunnah, Adat, Jihad, and a number of others are explained in detail, including common as well as radical interpretations. Farah offers an independant history for each, including names of prominent scholars and the dates of their founding. Farah also covers the span of knowledge from the formal (fundamentalist) to free thought (sufi). He explains the ultra conservative radical Wahhabism founded in 1744 by Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahab, its spread, and the challenge to modernists, rationalists and reformers. Pertinent to our times, Farah explains the "church and state" conflict in nations where the majority of the populace are Muslims, such as Turkey. He covers current trends to the date of publication (1999), and explains in an understandable way the modern c

Like all guides in the Barron's Educational Series, this is meant as a brief introduction to its subject; in this instance it is Islam. Prof. Caesar Farah teaches History at the University of Minnesota and earned his Ph.D from Princeton in 1956. It is not meant to be controversial, political, or anything more and less than a helpful brief overview for those trying get a handle on a given topic. The tone here may seem supportive of Islam, but that is simply because it refuses to be negative and to take Islam on its own terms. This is appropriate for someone who is learning about Islam in order to, say, engage in business in an Islamic country or to engage an Islamic group in America. One must understand its roots and principles in a way that will not give offence, or why bother learning about it. Prof. Farah takes us on a whirlwind tour of Muhammad and his founding of Islam, his successors. He explains the Qur'an and how it came to be and written down over a hundred years later. There are other sources of interpretation for Islamic law and these are explained as well. The five principles of Islam are also explained. The goal of the book seems to be to make Islam seem less foreign to the Western reader. However, it can get a bit bewildering when Farah explains over a dozen different sects of Islam and how they came to be with their various claims. The author also gives us a very fast tour of Islam in its various forms around the globe. If you want a basic book on Islam and are willing to accept the premise of Islam as a legitimate religion with positive things to offer, then this is a good book for you.

The breadth and depth of Islam typically requires a lifetime of study to understand. For those of us unable to devote so much time to the subject, this book is defenitely the next best thing. Mr Farah has managed to distill a lifetime of travel and study in the Islamic world into a lucid, enlightening, and easy to read book.The main strength of the book might also be considered its main weakness: its breadth. Mr Farah gives us a survey of Islam in its entirety, including portions devoted to some of the more obscure offshoots of Islam. This is not Islam for Dummies. This is an in-depth and detailed study of Islam as a whole.I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

As a Christian, I always viewed Islam with skepticism. To be honest I knew some of their theology and it did not make sense to me. However, after reading MR Farah's book, I have come to understand Islam better. The Author takes you right back to the beginning and guides you through the history of Islam. You get a front-row seat on how every period and certain individuals have influenced this world religion. I wish there was a book like this on Christianity! The book is unbiased in it's presentation of facts. You also understand alot better the rivalries between the sunnies and Shia muslims (and how it came to be) and the various sects of Islam that have come and gone.A very well written book, altough I only gave 4 stars because sometimes you get lost in the details of the story and the author does occasionally go on to unrelated side stories which seem irrelevant. Otherwise a very good book to understand islam better (even if [like me] you aren't interested in becoming a Muslim).