Recommended books on Quran/Islam & related topics
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Muhammad and the Believers
by Fred M. DonnerUniversity of Chicago professor Fred Donner presents the intriguing view that the early Islamic movement, as presided over by Muhammad, actively included Jews and Christians in the flock as part of a general monotheistic community. It was only later, after Muhammad's death, that a new generation of Muslims began ritualizing Islam with its own distinctive practices, such as the hajj (pilgrimage) and the five daily prayers...He raises many original points, gleaning evidence from everything from coinage to original source documents. Questioning longstanding stereotypes, he argues (and proves) that Muslims are not, by nature, anti-Jewish and also that, based on archeological evidence, Muslims did not routinely tear down churches. The early Muslims, though brutal in war, created a sophisticated and organized civil system. For those curious about Islam's beginnings, no book is as original and as evenhanded as this succinct read.
http//www.amazon.com/Muhammad-Believers-At-Origins-Islam/dp/0674050975/
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Critical Thinkers for Islamic Reform 2008 A Collection of Articles from Contemporary Thinkers on Islam
Editors Edip Yuksel Arnold Yasin Mol Farouk A Peru
This important book is a collection of writings of more then 30 modern writers on Islam that were present at the 2008 conference bearing the same name. From professional Islamic scholars to individuals writers and thinkers, this collection is unique as a serious collection of 21st century Islamic thought on critical research, reform and renewal in Islamic and Qur'anic interpretation. With diverse subjects on the interpretation and message of the Qur'an and its relation to human rights, freedom and wellfare. History of Islam, society and thought. Modern experience of being a Muslim, the concept of gender and needed actions for reform.
Read the complete book here
http//www.deenresearchcenter.com/LinkClick.aspx?link=CRITICAL+THINKERS+for+ISLAMIC+REFORM+2.pdf&tabid=36&mid=577&language=nl-NL
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Discovering the Qur'an
by Neal RobinsonThe book is written in three parts how the Qur'an is experienced by Muslims as they learn the books by hearts and the importance of calligraphy, the chronology, the relationship between the Qur'an and the earliest biographies of Muhammad and lastly the structure of the Qur'an.
Sometimes it goes into too much detail but for its insights into the subjects it discusses, considering the price, it is a total bargain. From Amazon marketplace it is less than $5 delivered (USA), ?5 delivered UK. Mainly for those interested in a deeper analysis of The Quran, particularly its structure.
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Understanding The Quran Themes and Styles
by Muhammad Abdel HaleemCurrently out of print. Re-print due out soon.
http//www.amazon.com/Understanding-Quran-Themes-Styles-Studies/dp/1860646506/PDF download here
http//www.filedropper.com/understanding-quran-abdel-haleemNoteworthy, is the discussion of the story of "Adam" in The Quran, in comparison to The Bible.
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Understanding The Quran Themes and Styles
by Muhammad Abdel HaleemCurrently out of print. Re-print due out soon.
http//www.amazon.com/Understanding-Quran-Themes-Styles-Studies/dp/1860646506/PDF download here
http//www.filedropper.com/understanding-quran-abdel-haleemNoteworthy, is the discussion of the story of "Adam" in The Quran, in comparison to The Bible.
Peace,
The PDF download does not seem to work.
NB I really appreciate your book recommendations. -
you can try here
http//www.filedropper.com/utasofaq
or www.scribd.com -
Peace
Everyone should consider this website (mentioned by Wakas)
http//www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780415554169/The-Development-of-Exegesis-in-Early-Islam
It is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than amazon on these academic books, which in turn is cheaper than the bookstores.
Worldwide delivery seems to be free too, so useful for non-UK people.
Roshan
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The Hidden History Of The Human Race
by Michael A.Cremo.http//www.sa-ve.ch/images/EHHHR.jpg
This book is the condensed version of the book "Forbidden Archeology". I think this book is highly relevant to islam because it shows us why creationism is a scientific fact. The universe was created by god, not by itself, not by chance. In my opinion, this is the best book ever written about creationism. And in my opinion, it is one of the most important books in this century. The authors of this book, have backed up their ideas with strong arguments. And their arguments are based on solid evidence. In this underground classic, the authours are objective, and they compare the theory of evolution with creationism in the best possible way. This book is a challenge to the theory of evolution. This book is not for the fainthearted. This book will show you that almost everything you know about the history of mankind is a lie. The authours in this book argue that modern human beings (homo sapiens) have existed for more than millions of years.
This is a book for those who are interest in science. The book has less than 400 pages. It is not an easy read. It will take some effort to read this book. So you should only buy it if you are willing to read a book full of facts.
I have written about the book in this thread below. You may wish to read my post
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9601503.msg266252#msg266252
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Some books I recommend, on shelfari
http//www.shelfari.com/o1514169007/shelf#firstBook=0&list=4&sort=author
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http//www.asiaing.com/images/stories/2009/Ecology.being.at.home.jpg
This book is about Ecology and sustainable living. It is one of the best books I have read about Ecology. This book is an easy read, In addition, it is a practical book, full of knowledge, and full of interesting ideas. The book will take you through an exiting Journey. In my opinion this book is very relevant to Islam. It is very relevant to Islam because the Quran teaches us to preserve the environment
Quran 3041
Pollution has appeared in the land and
the sea by the hands of people for what
they earned. He will make them taste
some of what they have done, perhaps
they will revert.Reviews of the book
The best book yet on how to green your lifestyle ?makes the whole subject very clear and understandable.
Permaculture Magazine UK, 2005.The most genially simple and concrete guide to practical ecology out today. Should be spread in massive editions, not the least to children, who easily understand it and who are usually less habit-bound than we adults.
Swedish Library Service 1990.You can read more reviews of the book, and read more about the book in this site
http//www.alternativ.nu/ecologybeginsathome/index.htm
You can download the book for free in this link
http//www.alternativ.nu/ecologybeginsathome/EcologyBeginsAtHome2008.pdf
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Introducing Islam A graphic guide
By Ziauddin Sardarhttp//www.binext.co.kr/cover_img/books/016475.jpg
This a very good book that clears up a lot of misconceptions about Islam. This book is a criticism of Traditional Islam, and shows us that many of the things people know about Islam is wrong. Unfortunately almost everything most people know about islam is from the media. And from their families, relatives, friends, and acquaintances. This book is eye opening, contains radical ideas about islam, and will make you think. In my opinion, it is insightful and it is packed with lots of knowledge about real islam. This book is an easy read. And the authors explain their ideas in a clear, objective, rational and pedagocial way. So the ideas in the book are easy to understand.
Here are some topics that are covered in this book
- Prophet Muhammed
- The history of islam
- The Quran
- Ilm (knowledge)
- Misconceptions about Jihad
- The expansion of islam
- Argumentations and debates.
- The fall of muslim civilization.
- Famous Islamic scientists and their works.
- Islamic science, and its contributions to the western world.
- Islamic Art.
- Orientalism.
- Reform in islam. Islamic reformers.
- Women in islam. Human rights.
- The islamic state (criticism of traditional islamic laws and politics).
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What about Qur'an as a book?
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peace all,
If you have any books to recommend on Quran/Islam and related topics, please post them here.
Ideally, please also provide a short summary of the book and why you are recommending it.
Thanks.Great Treasure of Holy Books ===> 1. Books on Qran , 2. Books on Islam, 3. Books on Allah
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A Perspective on the Signs of Al-Quran Through the Prism of the Heart by Saeed Malik
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http//t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbnANd9GcSh6b7DxaG5ehUCIlZQ1hx_opydWzq4vkrCTY0MDzIHwshfLhLE
Law and Power in the islamic world
by Sami ZubaidaA review of the book
http//www.sneps.net/NNE/zubaida.pdf
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Law and Power in the islamic world
by Sami ZubaidaSami Zubaida's Law and Power in the Islamic World is a fascinating politico-social history of the relations between Islamic law and the procession of political masters which have ruled the Middle East since the Prophet's death. One message is clear the notion of an omnipotent Shari'a, passed from caliph to caliph for 14 centuries, is a myth held by both Islamist radicals and their western critics.
Zubaida shows how the Shari'a - a body of texts and practices distinct from the Qu'ran itself, evolved for several centuries after Mohammed from both pre-Islamic tradition and the deliberations of four distinct theological schools. Though the Shari'a and the growing body of juristic precedent, or fiqh, which accreted to it gained a certain path-dependency through traditionalisation, Islamic law always occupied a specialised niche in the Islamic polity. Clerics in the medieval and early modern caliphates, from the Umayyads to the Ottomans, were subordinate to the ruler and usually complicit in the hedonistic and corrupt lifestyle of the imperial elite. As part of this elite, the ulama provided religious legitimacy for the ruler's actions and clerical posts - part of the power structure of state - were often passed down through families or purchased outright.
http//www.sneps.net/NNE/zubaida.pdf
