Islam: An Introduction

by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

This work by one of the most influential Muslim scholars of this century comes at a time when a host of Islamic terminology has been thrust into the current media coverage about Islam and Muslims. In his inimitable style, Shaykh Yusuf Qaradawi's Madkhal li-Ma'rifah al-Islam attempts to explain Islamic concepts and decipher their meaning in the context of contemporary debates. Divided into five chapters, his explanation of Islamic concepts is compared with current issues and perspectives on Islam. This work is not an attempt to preach to the reader but aims to fill the gaps in one's understanding of the Islamic worldview.

Genres: Religion

408 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Yusuf Al-Qaradawi (Arabic: يوسف القرضاوي) is an Egyptian Islamic theologian. He is best known for his programme, ash-Shariah wal-Hayat ("Shariah and Life"), broadcast on Al Jazeera, which has an estimated audience of 40 million worldwide. He is also well-known for IslamOnline, a popular website he helped found in 1997 and for which he now serves as chief religious scholar. Al-Qaradawi has also published more than 80 books, including The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam and Islam: The Future Civilization. He has also received eight international prizes for his contributions to Islamic scholarship, and is considered one of the most influential such scholars living today. Al-Qaradawi has long had a prominent role within the intellectual leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Egyptian political organization, but twice (in 1976 and 2004) turned down offers for the official role in the organization. A 2008 Foreign Policy magazine poll placed al-Qaradawi at number three on its list of the top 20 public intellectuals worldwide.

Some of al-Qaradawi's views have been controversial in the West, and he is banned from entering the United States, Israel and Great Britain. In 2004, 2,500 Muslim academics from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and from the Palestinian territories condemned Qaradawi, and accused him of giving "Islam a bad name."

As of 2004, al-Qaradawi was a trustee of the Oxford University Center for Islamic Studies. He also served as a technical consultant for a multi-million dollar epic movie in English on Muhammad.

alternative spellings
يوسف القرضاوي
Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
Yusuf El-Karadâvi

Reviews

[Fuad Abdullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read for muslims and non muslim to learn about Islam. Learn all the basics and easy to understand.

[Sukanta Kumar Hazra · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the first introductory books on Islam that I have read. Not with the intention of showing what is wrong with it, there is enough in the media for that, but more to understand about Islam. Generally found it to be a well written book and clear. There is much to unlearn before learning can begin. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a understanding of the basics of the Islamic viewpoint and the Muslim way of life.

[Alhuwail.s · Rating 3 out of 5]

الكاتب يحاول تبيين الاسلامكما يفهمه هو بعيدا جدا جدا عن المذاهب وصراعها وتسيس الدين او كما نرى الاسلام الان
وكأنك تتفاجئ انه يصف الاسلام بكذا وكذا ولكن ترى عكس هذا تماما

اعجبني انه تجنب المذاهب وصراع السلطه مع الاسلام والتيارات, وبين الاسلام كما يفهمه هو مجردا عن هذه الصراعات, لكن كان من الواجب ان يشير اليها ولو من بعيد

الكتاب جيد يبين الفجوه العميقة بين اسلام الواقع والاسلام كما يبينه

[Neida · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essentials, characteristics, and objectives of Islam explained. True to the Quran and Sunnah; and you won’t go astray. The purpose to the creation of men is crystal clear.

[Fuad Jaafar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different take & approach on Introducing Islam to the world. Great book!