Unfolding Islam

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Thoroughly revised in the light of the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent climate of fear and hostility towards Muslims, this new edition of the acclaimed Unfolding Islam sets out to present Islam to non-Muslim readers, and to describe for the general reader – whether Muslim or not – how Islam has unfolded over the course of time, and how it continues to do so.Set in the context of the geography and history of what may be called the super-continent of Afro- Eurasia, the book centers on the Koran and the life of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, showing how later developments are rooted there, right down to questions of contemporary relevance such as the difference between Sunni Muslims and Shiites, Sufis and literalists, reformists and ‘fundamentalists’. Though the book is written with the non-specialist in mind, specialists will find new contributions to such topics as the first writing down of the Koran, jihad (holy war) and Islamic attitudes to our environment.Seen as a whole, the story of the unfolding of Islam shows how it has achieved its special balance of constancy and flexibility. The controlling position of the Prophet, the unique authority of the Koran and the strength of the Muslim family give the religion its enduring central core.

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599 Unfolding Islam 00 prelims 24/7/08 9:17 AM Page i UNFOLDING ISLAM P. J. Stewart 599 Unfolding Islam 00 prelims 24/7/08 9:17 AM Page ii UNFOLDING ISLAM Published by Garnet Publishing Limited 8 Southern Court South Street Reading Berkshire RG1 4QS UK www.garnetpublishing.co.uk Copyright © P. J. Stewart, 2008 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Second Edition Hardback ISBN: 978-1-85964-213-9 Paperback ISBN: 978-1-85964-205-4 British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Typeset by Samantha Barden Jacket design by David Rose Cover photo used courtesy of iStockphoto.com/Damir Cudic Printed by Biddles, UK 599 Unfolding Islam 00 prelims 24/7/08 9:17 AM Page iii To Lejla and Zlata and their fellow Bosnians 599 Unfolding Islam 00 prelims 24/7/08 9:17 AM Page iv 599 Unfolding Islam 00 prelims 24/7/08 9:17 AM Page v CONTENTS Introduction 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. vii The Stage is Set Arabia and the Arabs The Preparing of the Prophet The Messenger The Message Persecution Immigrants and Helpers The Prophet at War Islam Perfected The Koran Completed The Person of the Prophet The First Caliphs Civil War The Law and the Prophet Reason and Belief Dissidents The Sufi Dimension A Thousand Years of Constancy Reform The Turning Tide Revivalism The New Century 1 23 33 41 49 57 67 77 93 109 117 127 141 155 173 181 191 199 215 223 233 243 Note on Sources Further Reading Index 251 253 257 599 Unfolding Islam 00 prelims 24/7/08 9:17 AM Page vi FIGURES Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Arabia in the Afro-Eurasian Super-continent Clans of Mecca Map of Medina Hashimite Claimants and Shi’ite Imams Main Branches of Islam 2 30 71 157 204 599 Unfolding Islam 00 prelims 24/7/08 9:17 AM Page vii INTRODUCTION A Dangerous World Whoever planned the events of 11th September 2001, the aim was clear: to provoke the United States into