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 |
|
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 |
|