About the Book
The book is divided into two parts: The first part deal with the history of the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith, the basis of Islamic code of conduct, surveys the principal institutions of the religion, showing the breaking up of the Muslims into different hostile schools and ends with the idea of future existence.
The second part deals with arts, literature, architecture, philosophical speculations, scientific discoveries, women in Islam, Muslim festivals and other cultural achievements of the Arabs.
Preface
A thousand copies of the book are now in the hands of its readers, and it is a great encouragement to me that the book has been well received by the students and the general readers.
I have taken great pains in preparing the new edition. The whole of the material has been re-examined and a lot of fresh matter has been added. Besides this, additional chapters on al-Ghazzali, Sufism, Muslim Indebtedness to the Greek and Indian knowledge of Science and Music have been included in the present edition. It is hoped that it will meet with the same warm reception that was accorded to its first edition.
I am greatly indebted to my publisher, Sh. Muhammad Ashraf for rushing through the printing of the ‘hook to make it available to students in time. I am also highly indebted to Mr. Muhammad Kamaluddin, B.A., (Hons.), M.A., (Alig.) and my student Mr. Muhammad Aley Nabi, B.A. for other helpful suggestions.
Further suggestions for the improvement of the book will be greatly welcomed.
Contents
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
PART I
INSTLTUTIONS
CHAPTER I
History of the Holy Quran: Implications of the term Quran-The Composition of the Quran-Methods of Revelation-Compilation of the Quran-Historical Value of the Quran-Literary Value of the Quran
3
CHAPTER II
History of the Hadith: What is Hadith-Canons of Testing Hadith-Siha Sittah The Shiite Books-Growth and Development of the Hadith Literature-Eminent Muhaddathin: Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daud, Ibn Majab, Tirmizi, Nisai
15
CHAPTER III
The Shari’at and its Schools of Law: The Shari’at-(l) The Rights of God, (2) The Individual Rights, (3) The Rights of other Men, (4) The Rights of all Creatures-Fiqab-Sources of Muslim Law: Ijma, Qiyas, Ijtehad or Exercise of Judgment-Hanafite School-Malikite School-Sbafi’ite School-Hanbalite School
29
CHAPTER IV
Religio·Political Parties: The Shiism, Shi’ite Doctrines, Difference between the Shia and the Sunni, Shr’ite lmams- Shi’ite Branches: Ithna Ashariya (the Twelvers), Seveners- The Difference between Ismailia and Itbna Ashariya- Murjites-Doctrines of the Murjites-Kharijites-Their Religious and Political Doctrines
47
CHAPTER V
Scholastic Movements : Rationalism -Mutazilism-Fundamental Doctrines-Their Differences from Orthodox Sunni Belief - Scholasticism - Asharism-c Their Doctrine. - Their Fundamental Principles, Differences Between the Scholastic Ideas of the Mutazilites and Asharites
63
CHAPTER VI
Current Tendeucies : Ibn Taimiyya-Abdul Wahhab-Jamaluddin Afghani-Muhammad Abduh
77
CHAPTER VII
Religious Institutions in Islam: What is Islam-Basic Principles of Islam-Simplicity and Practibility-A Complete Code of Life-Universalism-Political Aspects-The Pillars of Islam: (1) Iman or Faith, (2) Salat or Prayer, (3) Saum or Fasting, (4) Zakat, (5) Hajj-Social Solidarity
85
CHAPTER VIII
Iman and Islam: Iman-Islam-Islam and Iman-Allah-Conceprion of God-The Law of Evolution-Guidance afforded by Human Nature-Guidance afforded by Divine Revelation-The Oneness of Allah (Tauhid)- Prophets-Nabi and Rasul-Faith in Prophets-Functions and Necessity of the Prophets-Intercession-Finality of Prophethood-Angels·-Function of Angels-The Day of Judgment-The Day of Destruction-The Day of Judgment- The Life Here after-s-Quranic Conception-e-Barzakh-Experience in Barzakh State-Duration of Barzakb-Heaven -Hell-Remedial Nature of Hell
108
CHAPTER IX
Al-Ghazzali : Early Life and Education, His loner Development, Travells, His Works, Time and Environment background, Emergence of Theo-Political Parties, Anti-Islamic Trends-Al-Ghazzali’s Contribution to Muslim Theology-Nationalism and Sufism
132
CHAPTER X
Sufism (Islamic Mysticism): Origin, The Derivation of Sufism-Development of Sufism-Suf Orders-Sui! Theme-Tenets of Sufism-Suf and Orthodox Muslims
147
CULTUTAL HISTORY
CHAPTER XI
Cultural History of the Umayyads-Education-Medina, Basra and Kufa as Centres of Intellectual Activity- Mosque as Centre of Learning-Arcbitecture-Social Life
159
CHAPTER XII
Cultural History of the Abbasids: Social Life-Education-Architecture-Muslim Indebtedness to the Greek and Indian Knowledge of Science
173
CHAPTER XIII
Contributions of Muslims to Scientific Thought-History- Geography - Cartography - Medicine - Astronomy-Mathematics-Chemistry-Calligraphy-Music
185
CHAPTER XIV
Muslim Philosophers-Al-Kindi-His Philosophy-Aristotelianism - Importance of Al-Kindi - Al-Farabi-His Philosophy - His Logic - Conception of Soul - Ibn Sina-His Philosophy - His Logic-His Conception or Being-His Importance-Ibn Rushd-His Philosopehy-Divine Knowledge-Predestination-Political Theory- His Importance
214
CHAPTER XV
Position of Women in Islam-Women’s Position as Wives-Women as Mothers-Women in the Field of Education – Polygamy-Divorce-Marriage in Islam- Preliminaries of Marriage-Mutah or Temporary Marriage-Concubinage in Islam
230
APPENDlX-A
Muslim. Festivals
APPENDIX-B
References for further reading
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