Islamic History: A Very Short IntroductionDoes history matter? This book argues not that history matters, but that Islamic history does. This Very Short Introduction introduces the story of Islamic history; the controversies surrounding its study; and the significance that it holds - for Muslims and for non-Muslims alike. Opening with a lucid overview of the rise and spread of Islam, from the seventh to twenty first century, the book charts the evolution of what was originally a small, localised community of believers into an international religion with over a billion adherents. Chapters are also dedicated to the peoples - Arabs, Persians, and Turks - who shaped Islamic history, and to three representative institutions - the mosque, jihad, and the caliphate - that highlight Islam's diversity over time. Finally, the roles that Islamic history has played in both religious and political contexts are analysed, while stressing the unique status that history enjoys amongst Muslims, especially compared to its lowly place in Western societies where history is often seen as little more than something that is not to be repeated. Some of the questions that will be answered are: · How did Islam arise from the obscurity of seventh century Arabia to the headlines of twenty first century media? · How do we know what we claim to know about Islam's rise and development? · Why does any of this matter, either to Muslims or to non-Muslims? ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
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9th century Abbasid accounts adopted Africa amongst Anatolia answer approach Arabia Arabs argued Asia attempted authority British caliphs Central century Chapter Christians civilization claim communication concerns conquered conquests context converted course created Crusaders culture developed dominated dynasty early Islamic East Eastern Egypt emerged empire Europe European existence fact Fatimids forces groups hadiths hand happened historians ideas imam important India influence interpretation Iran Iranian Iraq Islamic history Islamic world Islamists issues Italy Jews jihad known lands language late leaders less literature live Mecca Mongol mosque movements Muhammad Muslim societies non-Muslim North Ottoman particular period Persian political practice present Prophet question Quran reasons reference region religion religious rise rule rulers scholars seen Shiite significance sources spread subjects sultans sunna Sunni Syria term theory things thought traditional Turkish Turks Umayyads umma West Western