Handy Islam Answer Book

John Renard, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Islamic studies from Harvard University’s Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations in 1973. He teaches courses in Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, religion and the arts, and comparative theology in the Department of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. He has written extensively on Islam. His most recent books include Friends of God: Islamic Images of Piety, Commitment, and Servanthood (2008), Tales of God’s Friends: Islamic Hagiography in Translation (2009), and Islam and Christianity: Theological Themes in Comparative Perspective (2011), all for University of California Press. He also authored Visible Ink Press’s popular comparative religion primer, The Handy Religion Answer Book.

"... a helpful and comprehensive introduction to Islam ... an invaluable asset for schools, libraries, and individuals seeking an informed and organized reference book for those curious about Islam and its role in today’s world." —Publishers Weekly"Starred Review. This highly accessible and satisfying book ... well-written and captivating resource explains Islam using an accessible and balanced approach … A strong choice for anyone of high school age and above who wishes to know about Islam and for those who provide ready reference." —Library Journal"Renard, a professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University, clearly knows his subject ..." —School Library Journal"In The Handy Islam Answer Book by John Renard, PhD, you’ll find the answers to the things you wonder: history, legal matters, and basic beliefs, all at your fingertips." —Bookworm Sez

• Preface and AcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart One: Historical Perspectives1. Origins and early expansion2. Islam’s Growth into a Global Community3. Politics and Contemporary Global AffairsPart Two: Religious Perspectives4. Sacred Sources and their Interpretation5. Essential Beliefs6. Symbols, Rituals, and Religious Observances7. Themes in Islamic Spirituality8. Authority, Law and Ethics9. Islam and Other FaithsPart Three: Cultural Perspectives – Learning and Communicating Islamic Values10. Culture and Religion11. Knowledge, Scholarship, and the Islamic Humanities12. Aesthetics, Literature, the Visual and Spatial ArtsSuggestions for Further ReadingGlobal TimelineGlossaryIndex