Shia Muslims account for between 10 and 15 percent of the world's Muslim population, and while some Americans know that there are two major sects in Islam, Shia and Sunni, not many of those know the differences between the two traditions. Further compounding the problem is the fact that those few who are aware of the dissimilarities almost always acquire their knowledge of Islam from a Sunni perspective. The result is that a rich and important tradition within Islam remains unknown or misunderstood. A Basic Guide to Shia Islam is an ideal resource for the curious, either in a classroom setting or learning independently. Author Saba Fatima covers the breadth of the tradition in accessible prose, arranged in simple chapters, and with the benefit of years teaching the material in the classroom.

The second largest branch of Islam, with between 130 and 190 million adherents across the globe, Shi'i Islam is becoming an increasingly significant force in contemporary politics, especially in the Middle East. This makes an informed understanding of its fundamental spiritual beliefs and practices both necessary and timely. Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi is one of the most distinguished scholars of Shi'i history and theology, and in this volume he offers a wide-ranging and engaging survey of the core texts of Shi'i Islam. Examining in turn the origins and later developments of Shi'i spirituality, the author reveals the profoundly esoteric nature of the beliefs which accrued to the figures of the early Imams, and which became associated with their interaction between the material and spiritual worlds. Many of these beliefs have remained much misunderstood even within the wider Muslim world. Furthermore, Western scholarship has tended to follow the lead of the earlier orientalists and critics, viewing Shi'i teachings as marginal. In this study the author shows, by contrast, how central and creative the very nature of spirituality was to the development of Shi'i Islam, as well as to classical Muslim civilisation as a whole. In this comprehensive treatment, the esoteric nature of Shi'i spirituality emerges as an essential phenomenon for understanding Shi'i Islam.

An introductory guide to the important elements of the world's largest religion, including the Quran, the Pillars of Faith, and the life of Muhammad, as well as Islamic history, customs and rituals, and contributions to world culture. Essential Islam: A Comprehensive Guide to Belief and Practice is the ideal beginner's resource on the core elements of a faith that, like Christianity and Judaism, offers a guide to holy living and a path to salvation—one that like other world faiths has inspired peace and war, tolerance and brutality, enlightenment and abysmal ignorance. Essential Islam offers an insightful, objective look at Islam from its inception to the present day, including a discussion of Islamic beliefs about God, history, warfare, marriage, the afterlife, and the relationship between Islam and other faiths. It is a rich source for dispelling misconceptions—for example, only 10 percent of Muslims are Arabic, and only a quarter of those reside in the Middle East—and for understanding tensions between groups within and outside Islam. More importantly, it gives readers a portrait of Islam not as a religion of extremists, but as a dynamic living faith practiced by people of all kinds in virtually every corner of the world.

This book examines the development of Shi'i Islam through the lenses of belief, narrative, and memory.

Islam is one of the most popular religions in the world with over 1 billion followers worldwide. As with any other widespread religions, many different schisms and sects have emerged over the course of history so that Islam has come to be interpreted in many different ways.Of those schisms, the split between the Sunnis and Shiites has been by far the oldest and most enduring split. Because it occurred approximately 1,400 years ago, the causes and consequences have become blurred.Today, myths and confusion abound and few people-even within the Muslim community itself-actually know what really happened and what that really means for today's world.This book has been written with the intention of clearing up that confusion. It is primarily intended for readers who are not very familiar with Islam in general-let alone the actual significance of the split between Sunni and Shiite-who are interested in learning more.Knowing the history of the religion and the current tensions in the Middle East will go a long way toward helping you understand the complexity and nuance of the situation.You will gain a deeper understanding of the Sunnis and the Shiites as well as Islam more broadly. Some of the features of this book include:An overview of the belief system and structure of the Islamic religionThe geography, politics, and daily life of believers in IslamA history of the rise of Islam in the Arabic worldA detailed discussion of the Sunni Shia schismA closer look at the Sunni belief system, geography, politics, and daily lifeA closer look at the Shiite belief system, geography, politics, and daily lifeDeeper analysis of the present day conflicts, including differing perspectives on its origins and roots.While reading just one book cannot make an you expert on the situation, this book will allow you to view the news coming out of the Middle East from a much more informed perspective and give you the foundation you need to do further research and learn more.

Islam is largely blanketed by mystery and distorted by bias. This book introduces the truth of Islamic beliefs and culture. Islam is an incredibly popular religion, and the second largest in the world. What comes with such a common but elusive belief system? A curiously large amount of customs, and very intriguing, ancient beliefs. There is A LOT of intricacies about Islam.This book will give you an introductory, holistic understanding of the religion. From defining the truth of what Allah means to muslims, explaining the four stages of life, to everyday customs, this book covers it all. Both for muslims and non-muslims, you're garanteed to learn A LOT of valuable information. Here are some of your questions that will be answered! What are the five pillars of Islam?What's the story of Muhammad? Who is he?What does Islam say about Jesus?Muslims believe in Satan? What about Angels?What does Islam say about free will? What is the Ka'ba?What's the Quran and what's written in it?And much, much more...If you're looking to learn more about Islam, look no further. Whether you know nothing about the religion, or you're a muslim yourself and want more, this book will be accessable and useful to everyone.I'm so sure that you'll find it informative, that I'll happily give you a refund if you're not totally satisfied.

Exploring the beliefs, history and politics of the ordinary people of Muslim countries, Grieve cuts through the complexities as he examines all aspects of Islam. He also addresses the big issues: can Islam support true democracy? Is true democracy what the West really wants for Muslim countries or are we merely seeking a cover of legitimacy for a policy of 'might is right'? Paul Grieve is an unbeliever - he is not a born-again Muslim, a proselytizer or a frustrated desert romantic. His aim is to inform. The result is an accessible but never simplistic guide that challenges stereotypical views, from women and banking to war and Malcolm X. Complete with advice for visitors to Muslim countries, and with carefully chosen primary sources, maps and illustrations, this is the ideal summary for the reader looking for an unbiased overview of the religious and political world issues that have become part of our everyday lives.