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Islam
La storia, le credenze, le pratiche e dottrine che da Maometto a oggi hanno plasmato in tutto il mondo la cultura, l'arte e la civiltà musulmana. Un'autorevole ricostruzione storica e antropologica che, con il sussidio di un ricco apparato iconografico, offre al lettore tutti gli elementi essenziali per comprendere una religione e un sistema di vita che conta piú di un miliardo e mezzo di fedeli.
«Ho suddiviso il libro in dieci capitoli, affrontando gli aspetti più importanti della fede e della pratica islamica. Necessariamente, questi temi sono strettamente connessi, e i capitoli spesso si riferiscono ad argomenti correlati (ad esempio il Corano è rilevante in ogni capitolo). Il lettore acquisisce, man mano che procede nella lettura, una conoscenza sempre piú ampia e approfondita su questa grande e complessa religione. Ogni capitolo si basa sul precedente e quello finale offre una visione attentamente ponderata ed equilibrata sul dibattito del XXI secolo circa l'islam. I musulmani e la loro fede costituiscono un fattore rilevante nel mondo odierno e questo capitolo consente al lettore di comprendere in che modo il contesto storico dell'islam abbia un'influenza sia sui musulmani che sui non musulmani, e cosa questo significhi per il rapporto tra islam e Occidente, sia oggi sia in futuro».
C. H.
«Ho suddiviso il libro in dieci capitoli, affrontando gli aspetti più importanti della fede e della pratica islamica. Necessariamente, questi temi sono strettamente connessi, e i capitoli spesso si riferiscono ad argomenti correlati (ad esempio il Corano è rilevante in ogni capitolo). Il lettore acquisisce, man mano che procede nella lettura, una conoscenza sempre piú ampia e approfondita su questa grande e complessa religione. Ogni capitolo si basa sul precedente e quello finale offre una visione attentamente ponderata ed equilibrata sul dibattito del XXI secolo circa l'islam. I musulmani e la loro fede costituiscono un fattore rilevante nel mondo odierno e questo capitolo consente al lettore di comprendere in che modo il contesto storico dell'islam abbia un'influenza sia sui musulmani che sui non musulmani, e cosa questo significhi per il rapporto tra islam e Occidente, sia oggi sia in futuro».
C. H.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2015
22 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 30, 2017
A great historical time line of Islam. The part that particular interested me and is what the majority of the book is actually is how Islam continued after the death of Muhammad (PBUH). How the religion continued how the communities continued. Being a British Muslim myself, I found it eye opening to how many different sects of Islam there actually are.
There were two thing I particularly took away from reading this book. First was something I believed myself is how many things that Islam is actually criticised for come from the cultural region and are not actually from the Quran. The second, is point I think Carole Hillenbrand hit the nail right on the head, Islam has no real leadership, there are the idiot terrorist who are not Muslims but people try the further their personal agendas. They do not represent me or the majority of Muslims of the world. Neither do the head of the "Islamic countries". They might be the head by political means or the fact that they are Arabic does not make them any more Muslim then anyone born an any other part of the world. Most of the are politicians first.
There were two thing I particularly took away from reading this book. First was something I believed myself is how many things that Islam is actually criticised for come from the cultural region and are not actually from the Quran. The second, is point I think Carole Hillenbrand hit the nail right on the head, Islam has no real leadership, there are the idiot terrorist who are not Muslims but people try the further their personal agendas. They do not represent me or the majority of Muslims of the world. Neither do the head of the "Islamic countries". They might be the head by political means or the fact that they are Arabic does not make them any more Muslim then anyone born an any other part of the world. Most of the are politicians first.
July 14, 2016
I was surprised to see that this has not received many ratings and reviews. This book is a great start for anyone who is interested in Islamic studies or want to see a different but objective perspective about Islam. The writer, Dr. Carole Hillenbrand is a Professor Emerita in Islamic History at the University of Edinburgh and the first non-Muslim to be awarded the King Faisal International Proze for Islamic Studies. As a Muslim myself, it is interesting to read another view of my religion.
I expect that some so-called religious people in my country will not even bother to read this book because it is "written by kafirs" and so and so, but I guess that's what makes their perspective as narrow as they are now. Reading this book made me understand how Islam is perceived by Christian (the author was raised Christian), such as how Christians can't understand the concept of Muhammad SAW's "warrior leader who leads the war" because they are used to the concept of "prince of peace" of Jesus. It also bravely points the problem with Islamic world, such as lack of leadership and extreme interpretation of Islam.
The book itself is very beautiful with 79 colored photos and illustrations. Using popular language, the book provides many historical stories such as history of Four Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the sects that "divide" Islam. The book also contains detailed sources, glossary of Islam, and further reading. I can even learn many new things only from the glossary.
Maybe I have some disagreements from some statement in the book, some things about Indonesian Muslims that maybe not too accurate, but overall I enjoyed reading this book. I'll recommend this to every Muslims, especially the people who acts like nothing is wrong with some people's interpretation of Islam (you know who "some people" are haha). The best part about this book? I got this book by chance on a half price discount at my favorite book store :)
I expect that some so-called religious people in my country will not even bother to read this book because it is "written by kafirs" and so and so, but I guess that's what makes their perspective as narrow as they are now. Reading this book made me understand how Islam is perceived by Christian (the author was raised Christian), such as how Christians can't understand the concept of Muhammad SAW's "warrior leader who leads the war" because they are used to the concept of "prince of peace" of Jesus. It also bravely points the problem with Islamic world, such as lack of leadership and extreme interpretation of Islam.
The book itself is very beautiful with 79 colored photos and illustrations. Using popular language, the book provides many historical stories such as history of Four Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the sects that "divide" Islam. The book also contains detailed sources, glossary of Islam, and further reading. I can even learn many new things only from the glossary.
Maybe I have some disagreements from some statement in the book, some things about Indonesian Muslims that maybe not too accurate, but overall I enjoyed reading this book. I'll recommend this to every Muslims, especially the people who acts like nothing is wrong with some people's interpretation of Islam (you know who "some people" are haha). The best part about this book? I got this book by chance on a half price discount at my favorite book store :)
May 15, 2023
Introduzione molto valida, tanto sul piano dottrinale quanto sul piano storico; testo anche capace di decostruire la narrazione razzista per cui l'Islam sarebbe un monolite religioso di oscurantismo e fanatismo, retaggio del pensiero coloniale ancora presente in Occidente, tramite un'esegesi di alcune Sunne o versetti del Corano, gli Hadith (episodi di vita e detti del Profeta) e gli studi di dotti musulmani vissuti in varie epoche. Molto affascinante il capitolo sul Sufismo.
October 4, 2019
Le merem fogadni, hogy Carole Hillenbrand nagyszerű pedagógus. Történeti bevezetése talán a legjobb választás a mai magyar könyvpiacon azoknak, akik meg akarnak ismerkedni ennek a monstre vallásnak az alapjaival. Igazi laikusoknak szóló olvasmány, némi tankönyvi beütéssel (kronológiai táblázattal, képanyaggal és vastag betűs kiemelésekkel); jól áttekinthető, világos szöveg, ami kezdetektől napjainkig, alavitáktól Al-Kaidáig, szunnától fatváig bemutatja az iszlám történelmét, irányzatait és alapfogalmait… igazából mi egyebet is lehetne még mondani róla?
Talán csak annyit, hogy Hillenbrand érzésem szerint éppen azért tudja ilyen megélhetően vázolni a színpompás, izgalmas iszlám eszmerendszert, mert maga is hívő, aki elkötelezett keresztény közegből érkezett. Ezért képes felfogni és értékelni a muzulmán hitélet olyan mélyen spirituális aspektusait, mint amilyen a szúfi teozófia, vagy a Kába-kőnél összesereglő milliónyi hívő közösségi élménye. Ám az, aki ugyan magát keresztényként definiálja, de közben az iszlámot mindenestül gyanús, sőt: gonosz entitásként fogja fel, nem veszi figyelembe, hogy Isten keresése közös pont a két vallás között – tulajdonképpen azt is megkockáztatnám, hogy amikor tagadja egy ekkora tömeg spirituális útkeresésének jogosságát, valahol saját vallásosságának jogosságát is megkérdőjelezi. Iszlám sajátosságnak tekinti a terrorizmust, holott az valójában ellentétes a Koránnal és a hadíszokkal, és általánosnak tekint olyan marginális gyakorlatokat, mint a női nemiszerv megcsonkítása – holott ez egy, a Mohamed előtti időkből fennmaradt primitív törzsi szokás, amit a muzulmánok zöme elutasít. És úgy általában felháborodik a nők jogainak megsértésén, ha azok az iszlám országokban történnek, ám ha mondjuk Oroszországban szövegeznek kísértetiesen hasonló törvénytervezetet, az valahogy elkerüli a figyelmét – és azt sem veszi figyelembe, hogy amíg az USÁ-ban még női alelnök sem volt, addig számos muzulmán többségű országban (Indonézia, Törökország, Bangladesh, Pakisztán) már töltötte be nő az elnöki posztot. Mindez persze nem jelenti azt, hogy iszlám és kereszténység kapcsolata zökkenőmentes lesz, hiszen a reformáció és a felvilágosodás óta eltelt európai folyamatokat (köztük a szekularizációt) természetesen nem élhették át – ahogy amúgy, úgy látszik, sok mai kelet-európai „keresztény” sem –, így kettejük viszonyát még sokáig félreértések és bizonyos alapvető definitív különbségek fogják befolyásolni. Pusztán azt állíthatjuk, hogy az iszlám sokszínű, és hogy másfél milliárd ember vallását nem lehet ostoba leegyszerűsítésekkel leírni. Az iszlám pedig éppúgy csak történelmi kontextusában vizsgálható, mint ahogy az Ószövetség legtöbb passzusa is. Ám ahhoz, hogy a leegyszerűsítéseket elkerüljük, és képesek legyünk párbeszédet nyitni, valamiféle tudásra van szükségünk. Ja, hogy azért meg kell dolgozni? Hát bocs.
Talán csak annyit, hogy Hillenbrand érzésem szerint éppen azért tudja ilyen megélhetően vázolni a színpompás, izgalmas iszlám eszmerendszert, mert maga is hívő, aki elkötelezett keresztény közegből érkezett. Ezért képes felfogni és értékelni a muzulmán hitélet olyan mélyen spirituális aspektusait, mint amilyen a szúfi teozófia, vagy a Kába-kőnél összesereglő milliónyi hívő közösségi élménye. Ám az, aki ugyan magát keresztényként definiálja, de közben az iszlámot mindenestül gyanús, sőt: gonosz entitásként fogja fel, nem veszi figyelembe, hogy Isten keresése közös pont a két vallás között – tulajdonképpen azt is megkockáztatnám, hogy amikor tagadja egy ekkora tömeg spirituális útkeresésének jogosságát, valahol saját vallásosságának jogosságát is megkérdőjelezi. Iszlám sajátosságnak tekinti a terrorizmust, holott az valójában ellentétes a Koránnal és a hadíszokkal, és általánosnak tekint olyan marginális gyakorlatokat, mint a női nemiszerv megcsonkítása – holott ez egy, a Mohamed előtti időkből fennmaradt primitív törzsi szokás, amit a muzulmánok zöme elutasít. És úgy általában felháborodik a nők jogainak megsértésén, ha azok az iszlám országokban történnek, ám ha mondjuk Oroszországban szövegeznek kísértetiesen hasonló törvénytervezetet, az valahogy elkerüli a figyelmét – és azt sem veszi figyelembe, hogy amíg az USÁ-ban még női alelnök sem volt, addig számos muzulmán többségű országban (Indonézia, Törökország, Bangladesh, Pakisztán) már töltötte be nő az elnöki posztot. Mindez persze nem jelenti azt, hogy iszlám és kereszténység kapcsolata zökkenőmentes lesz, hiszen a reformáció és a felvilágosodás óta eltelt európai folyamatokat (köztük a szekularizációt) természetesen nem élhették át – ahogy amúgy, úgy látszik, sok mai kelet-európai „keresztény” sem –, így kettejük viszonyát még sokáig félreértések és bizonyos alapvető definitív különbségek fogják befolyásolni. Pusztán azt állíthatjuk, hogy az iszlám sokszínű, és hogy másfél milliárd ember vallását nem lehet ostoba leegyszerűsítésekkel leírni. Az iszlám pedig éppúgy csak történelmi kontextusában vizsgálható, mint ahogy az Ószövetség legtöbb passzusa is. Ám ahhoz, hogy a leegyszerűsítéseket elkerüljük, és képesek legyünk párbeszédet nyitni, valamiféle tudásra van szükségünk. Ja, hogy azért meg kell dolgozni? Hát bocs.
April 26, 2021
今年讀的第六本伊斯蘭相關自藏書
雖然關注伊斯蘭這個題目非常久了
但長久以來神學總是讓我打瞌睡
對宗教基本原理其實認識不深
這本書提供了很完整的介紹
涵蓋了伊斯蘭教的各種面向
行文又挺像通識教科書
很合我的胃口
對我來說前面講先知行誼有點無聊
最有收穫的是古蘭經、信仰、律法、思想、蘇非主義和吉哈德這幾章
看完補充很多知識，雖然吉哈德這一章對我來說有點重複
但看完之後，也許可以更容易看懂我另外買的吉哈德專書
蘇非主義也是，買了本埃及學者寫的蘇非主義概論
但整本都神學，買了就後悔
或許看了本書之後會更容易讀下去吧~
(只是這本概論目前下落不明Orz)
整體來說這本書盡可能用客觀中立的敘述
將伊斯蘭教十大重要的面向做深入淺出的介紹
不管對是完全沒基礎，或是一知半解的人
都很適合拿來做入門或矯正當下流行的偏見，大推
BTW
看了下電子書櫃
剩下的伊斯蘭藏書電子書
好像只剩簡體書了，中國社科那套小叢書有點不想看
紙本收藏又剩些磚頭
所以...我要先來看新清史了哈哈
--
書摘補遺
Loc 6920
穆斯林世界缺乏力量強大、能替不只一個教區發聲的宗教領袖。
Loc 6936
沒人預期散居全球各地的基督教社群會以一種聲音發言，不管那是天主教教宗、東正教教長或英國國教的大主教。無論是美國南部浸信會或長老派教徒，羅馬天主教或希臘東正教教徒，以及中東上百萬阿拉伯基督徒，他們全都在基督教的庇護之下成長茁壯。
Loc 7005
我們應該注意，媒體經常鼓勵我們相信大多數穆斯林恐怖主義的犧牲者是西方人，然而事實上應該是恐怖份子的穆斯林同胞。
雖然關注伊斯蘭這個題目非常久了
但長久以來神學總是讓我打瞌睡
對宗教基本原理其實認識不深
這本書提供了很完整的介紹
涵蓋了伊斯蘭教的各種面向
行文又挺像通識教科書
很合我的胃口
對我來說前面講先知行誼有點無聊
最有收穫的是古蘭經、信仰、律法、思想、蘇非主義和吉哈德這幾章
看完補充很多知識，雖然吉哈德這一章對我來說有點重複
但看完之後，也許可以更容易看懂我另外買的吉哈德專書
蘇非主義也是，買了本埃及學者寫的蘇非主義概論
但整本都神學，買了就後悔
或許看了本書之後會更容易讀下去吧~
(只是這本概論目前下落不明Orz)
整體來說這本書盡可能用客觀中立的敘述
將伊斯蘭教十大重要的面向做深入淺出的介紹
不管對是完全沒基礎，或是一知半解的人
都很適合拿來做入門或矯正當下流行的偏見，大推
BTW
看了下電子書櫃
剩下的伊斯蘭藏書電子書
好像只剩簡體書了，中國社科那套小叢書有點不想看
紙本收藏又剩些磚頭
所以...我要先來看新清史了哈哈
--
書摘補遺
Loc 6920
穆斯林世界缺乏力量強大、能替不只一個教區發聲的宗教領袖。
Loc 6936
沒人預期散居全球各地的基督教社群會以一種聲音發言，不管那是天主教教宗、東正教教長或英國國教的大主教。無論是美國南部浸信會或長老派教徒，羅馬天主教或希臘東正教教徒，以及中東上百萬阿拉伯基督徒，他們全都在基督教的庇護之下成長茁壯。
Loc 7005
我們應該注意，媒體經常鼓勵我們相信大多數穆斯林恐怖主義的犧牲者是西方人，然而事實上應該是恐怖份子的穆斯林同胞。
May 16, 2021
Hillenbrand könyve tökéletes azoknak, akik meg akarnak ismerkedni az iszlám vallás történetével, alapvetéseivel. Egy jó gimnáziumi tankönyvhöz tudnám hasonlítani.
Ez persze azzal is jár, hogy a szöveg bemutat, de mélyre nem hatol, inkább erősen pc akar lenni. Hillenbrand maga katolikus, mégis sokszor úgy éreztem, hogy túlságosan is védelmébe veszi az iszlámot. Van ez az alapvető és persze torz nyugati szemlélet az iszlámról, hogy hívei erőszakosak, terrorizmus, etc. Ezzel szemben Hillenbrand folyton azt hangsúlyozza, ez az erőszakos, és egyben hangos réteg csak egy jelentéktelen kisebbség, az muzulmánok többsége békés és rendes ember. Egy helyütt említ egy felmérést, ami szerint a muzulmánok 7%-a támogatja mindössze az erőszakos fellépést. 1,8 milliárdan vannak. Könnyen kiszámítgató, hogy ez a 7% nem egy jelentéktelen embertömeg, úgy nagyjából Német- és Lengyelország teljes lakossága. Persze, mint mondom, ez egy tankönyv, nem mélyed bele ilyen dolgokba, de az olvasó fejében szöget üt egy ilyen tény, és elgondolkodik rajta. Vagy azon, hogy Mohamed maga egyáltalán nem volt egy jézusi alkat, nagyon is erőszakkal teli az élete, háborúk, népírtások kísérték térítő munkáját, és mégis csak ő minden muzulmán sérthetetlen és elsőszámú példaképe. Vagy az is érdekes, hogy ez a kis sivatagi népcsoport hogyan volt képes a Mohamed halálát követő 79 év alatt egy világbirodalmat kiépíteni Spanyolországtól Indiáig. Aki ilyesmikre kíváncsi, annak muszáj lesz más könyveket is elolvasni az iszlámról, mert ebből nem kap válaszokat.
Ez persze azzal is jár, hogy a szöveg bemutat, de mélyre nem hatol, inkább erősen pc akar lenni. Hillenbrand maga katolikus, mégis sokszor úgy éreztem, hogy túlságosan is védelmébe veszi az iszlámot. Van ez az alapvető és persze torz nyugati szemlélet az iszlámról, hogy hívei erőszakosak, terrorizmus, etc. Ezzel szemben Hillenbrand folyton azt hangsúlyozza, ez az erőszakos, és egyben hangos réteg csak egy jelentéktelen kisebbség, az muzulmánok többsége békés és rendes ember. Egy helyütt említ egy felmérést, ami szerint a muzulmánok 7%-a támogatja mindössze az erőszakos fellépést. 1,8 milliárdan vannak. Könnyen kiszámítgató, hogy ez a 7% nem egy jelentéktelen embertömeg, úgy nagyjából Német- és Lengyelország teljes lakossága. Persze, mint mondom, ez egy tankönyv, nem mélyed bele ilyen dolgokba, de az olvasó fejében szöget üt egy ilyen tény, és elgondolkodik rajta. Vagy azon, hogy Mohamed maga egyáltalán nem volt egy jézusi alkat, nagyon is erőszakkal teli az élete, háborúk, népírtások kísérték térítő munkáját, és mégis csak ő minden muzulmán sérthetetlen és elsőszámú példaképe. Vagy az is érdekes, hogy ez a kis sivatagi népcsoport hogyan volt képes a Mohamed halálát követő 79 év alatt egy világbirodalmat kiépíteni Spanyolországtól Indiáig. Aki ilyesmikre kíváncsi, annak muszáj lesz más könyveket is elolvasni az iszlámról, mert ebből nem kap válaszokat.
April 13, 2022
I've been meaning to dip my toe back into Islamic studies for a while as it has been almost thirty years since I took my one and only university course on Islam (and Christianity in the Mediaeval Mediterranean World). It also seemed a time for it because and (almost) work project has drawn me back into considering Islam. So, a few weeks ago, I did a random search in the database of my local university's library on Islam and found this book. I had recognized the name from my course so many years ago and figured this would be a good place to start. It was.
Dr. Hillenbrand's aim is to offer an introduction to the complex world of Islam to the non-Muslim Westerner. She does that by focusing on such topics as Mohammed, the Qu'ran, diversity in the Islamic world (a lot about the different groups and sub-groups of Islam), Sufism, Islamic law, philosophy/theology, women and, of course, jihad. I'm not sure I'd say that any of it was particularly new to me, but it reminded me of what I had learned and extended that story into the modern era (which I was not very strong on). What comes across is the complexity and richness of this tradition which is an important counter-point to the simplifications of both Islamic fundamentalists and Islamaphobes in the West.
Dr. Hillenbrand, as one might expect from someone who has devoted their lives to a subject area, is incredibly learned in her subject and she write with a refreshing clarity. That last point is an important one in an introductory book on a subject unfamiliar with many in the Western world. It would be easy to get bogged down in the foreign names of people, places and things which is inevitable when one starts into a new subject area. Dr. Hillenbrand makes this introduction highly accessible and easy to read, which is an achievement all its own.
Dr. Hillenbrand is, also, broadly sympathetic to Islam, in a kind of academic, post-modern, multicultural kind of way. That isn't bad, but there is a tendency for her to dismiss the importance of distinctions between religions and, even, at times, to play devils advocate to Christianity. I should emphasize however, this is a matter of nuance, not of bias, so doesn't mar the general tone of respect that the author has for her subject and her readers.
If you are looking for an introduction to Islam, amid the multitude out there, this one is worth considering. Clearly written, highly accessible and incredibly erudite- how could you ask for more?
Dr. Hillenbrand's aim is to offer an introduction to the complex world of Islam to the non-Muslim Westerner. She does that by focusing on such topics as Mohammed, the Qu'ran, diversity in the Islamic world (a lot about the different groups and sub-groups of Islam), Sufism, Islamic law, philosophy/theology, women and, of course, jihad. I'm not sure I'd say that any of it was particularly new to me, but it reminded me of what I had learned and extended that story into the modern era (which I was not very strong on). What comes across is the complexity and richness of this tradition which is an important counter-point to the simplifications of both Islamic fundamentalists and Islamaphobes in the West.
Dr. Hillenbrand, as one might expect from someone who has devoted their lives to a subject area, is incredibly learned in her subject and she write with a refreshing clarity. That last point is an important one in an introductory book on a subject unfamiliar with many in the Western world. It would be easy to get bogged down in the foreign names of people, places and things which is inevitable when one starts into a new subject area. Dr. Hillenbrand makes this introduction highly accessible and easy to read, which is an achievement all its own.
Dr. Hillenbrand is, also, broadly sympathetic to Islam, in a kind of academic, post-modern, multicultural kind of way. That isn't bad, but there is a tendency for her to dismiss the importance of distinctions between religions and, even, at times, to play devils advocate to Christianity. I should emphasize however, this is a matter of nuance, not of bias, so doesn't mar the general tone of respect that the author has for her subject and her readers.
If you are looking for an introduction to Islam, amid the multitude out there, this one is worth considering. Clearly written, highly accessible and incredibly erudite- how could you ask for more?
January 3, 2018
Interesting, difficult to read with all facts, names....
December 19, 2024
L'autrice è presentata come una delle più prestigiose esperte di cultura islamica non appartenenti a questa religione, riconosciuta per la sua autorevolezza anche da molti musulmani. Questa premessa promette un'esposizione imparziale e ben documentata di un mondo complesso.
Dal libro ho tratto maggiore consapevolezza sulla varietà di pratiche religiose (come quelle dei sunniti, delle diverse correnti sciite e dei sufi) e sulla ricca diversità culturale che caratterizza il mondo islamico: dagli arabi agli indonesiani, dai pakistani agli africani, dai turchi agli europei, la varietà di modi di essere musulmano è chiaramente molto grande. Un altro aspetto interessante emerso è la frammentazione dottrinale, legata all'assenza di figure di riferimento universalmente riconosciute.
Un'idea che mi sembra spiegare molti aspetti dell'islam è il fatto che in questa religione la giurisprudenza occupa il ruolo di scienza principe, che nel cristianesimo spetta alla teologia. Se studiare la norma è considerato più importante della conoscenza di Dio, le implicazioni sono sconvolgenti. Penso che qui radichi, fra l'altro, l'opposizione al sufismo, che professa la priorità del rapporto con Dio rispetto alla legge.
Alcune affermazioni mi sono sembrate meno convincenti o non pienamente dimostrate. Riconosco di non avere strumenti sufficienti per verificarle, ma le accolgo con riserva. Ecco i punti principali:
1. Adattabilità e innovazione dell'islam
L'autrice sostiene che l'islam sia intrinsecamente aperto all'innovazione e adattabile, nonostante l'apparente chiusura di molta parte della base popolare, spesso legata alle tradizioni. Le élite intellettuali e religiose, secondo lei, sarebbero invece molto aperte.
2. Condizione della donna
L'autrice descrive l'oppressione femminile come uno stereotipo limitato a casi numericamente e geograficamente circoscritti. Argomenta citando paesi islamici che hanno avuto donne al potere (Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh e Turchia), un dato positivo che però non basta a sminuire il peso di alcuni testi religiosi. Le frasi maschiliste del Corano e degli ahadith, infatti, sono difficili da ignorare. Il parallelo con san Paolo proposto dall’autrice è poco convincente e il peso delle affermazioni poste a confronto è vistosamente diverso.
3. Condanna del terrorismo
L'autrice afferma che la maggioranza dei musulmani condanna il terrorismo, definendolo "falsamente islamico". Sostiene che l'uccisione di innocenti sia esplicitamente vietata dal Corano e che l'associazione tra islam e terrorismo sia in gran parte una costruzione mediatica. Questo punto mi lascia perplesso: per sua stessa ammissione, le condanne ufficiali, quando ci sono, non sembrano abbastanza incisive. L’autrice collega il problema del terrorismo alla questione palestinese, ipotizzando che, senza quella, forse oggi non esisterebbe alcuna tensione significativa tra islam e occidente.
4. Sharia e modernità
La sharia, secondo l’autrice, sarebbe ormai marginale, applicata solo in pochi paesi con tendenze estremiste. Tuttavia, nel testo si afferma anche che la dottrina tradizionale prescrive la sua adozione ovunque i musulmani detengano il potere. Questo esige quanto meno un approfondimento circa la fondatezza della prima affermazione.
Nel complesso, il libro offre un’introduzione utile e ricca di spunti, riportando onestamente aspetti positivi e negativi. Tuttavia, il tentativo di sfatare stereotipi in modo così deciso conferisce al testo un tono quasi apologetico, che rischia di indurre sospetto nel lettore stesso che vorrebbe convincere.
Dal libro ho tratto maggiore consapevolezza sulla varietà di pratiche religiose (come quelle dei sunniti, delle diverse correnti sciite e dei sufi) e sulla ricca diversità culturale che caratterizza il mondo islamico: dagli arabi agli indonesiani, dai pakistani agli africani, dai turchi agli europei, la varietà di modi di essere musulmano è chiaramente molto grande. Un altro aspetto interessante emerso è la frammentazione dottrinale, legata all'assenza di figure di riferimento universalmente riconosciute.
Un'idea che mi sembra spiegare molti aspetti dell'islam è il fatto che in questa religione la giurisprudenza occupa il ruolo di scienza principe, che nel cristianesimo spetta alla teologia. Se studiare la norma è considerato più importante della conoscenza di Dio, le implicazioni sono sconvolgenti. Penso che qui radichi, fra l'altro, l'opposizione al sufismo, che professa la priorità del rapporto con Dio rispetto alla legge.
Alcune affermazioni mi sono sembrate meno convincenti o non pienamente dimostrate. Riconosco di non avere strumenti sufficienti per verificarle, ma le accolgo con riserva. Ecco i punti principali:
1. Adattabilità e innovazione dell'islam
L'autrice sostiene che l'islam sia intrinsecamente aperto all'innovazione e adattabile, nonostante l'apparente chiusura di molta parte della base popolare, spesso legata alle tradizioni. Le élite intellettuali e religiose, secondo lei, sarebbero invece molto aperte.
2. Condizione della donna
L'autrice descrive l'oppressione femminile come uno stereotipo limitato a casi numericamente e geograficamente circoscritti. Argomenta citando paesi islamici che hanno avuto donne al potere (Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh e Turchia), un dato positivo che però non basta a sminuire il peso di alcuni testi religiosi. Le frasi maschiliste del Corano e degli ahadith, infatti, sono difficili da ignorare. Il parallelo con san Paolo proposto dall’autrice è poco convincente e il peso delle affermazioni poste a confronto è vistosamente diverso.
3. Condanna del terrorismo
L'autrice afferma che la maggioranza dei musulmani condanna il terrorismo, definendolo "falsamente islamico". Sostiene che l'uccisione di innocenti sia esplicitamente vietata dal Corano e che l'associazione tra islam e terrorismo sia in gran parte una costruzione mediatica. Questo punto mi lascia perplesso: per sua stessa ammissione, le condanne ufficiali, quando ci sono, non sembrano abbastanza incisive. L’autrice collega il problema del terrorismo alla questione palestinese, ipotizzando che, senza quella, forse oggi non esisterebbe alcuna tensione significativa tra islam e occidente.
4. Sharia e modernità
La sharia, secondo l’autrice, sarebbe ormai marginale, applicata solo in pochi paesi con tendenze estremiste. Tuttavia, nel testo si afferma anche che la dottrina tradizionale prescrive la sua adozione ovunque i musulmani detengano il potere. Questo esige quanto meno un approfondimento circa la fondatezza della prima affermazione.
Nel complesso, il libro offre un’introduzione utile e ricca di spunti, riportando onestamente aspetti positivi e negativi. Tuttavia, il tentativo di sfatare stereotipi in modo così deciso conferisce al testo un tono quasi apologetico, che rischia di indurre sospetto nel lettore stesso che vorrebbe convincere.
September 7, 2021
It could have been a very good introductory book on Islam but the book and author is so biased and looks every aspect of Islam from one dimension, the book falls short.
Positive: very good basic infos and good historic summary. Very good and easy to understand explanations on the basis of faith, the different sects, schools of Sunni Islam, the concept of sharia, the life of Muhammad etc.
Negative: the author is in love with Islam and describes it as the best and most superior religion, superior to everything, especially compared to Christianity. Islam expansion after Muhammad was good, Christian crusades were evil. So simple is that - according to the author. For the author, everything about Islam is good. The women are happy and never oppressed, Islam mass immigration to Europe is welcome, Europeans converting to Islam is good, she even whitewashes terrorism and Islam radicalism. Her chapter on the "Arab spring" shows how out of touch the author is with reality. There are even factual erroris in the book, due to her biased view. One example: she praises the decoration of mosques that are decorated with quote from the Quran, which is not existing - according to the author - in Christian churches (temples of a religion she deems inferior to Islam). This shows her ignorance or the the fact she hardly ever visits Christian churches.
To sum it up: it would have been a better book written from a distance and more neutral standpoint.
Positive: very good basic infos and good historic summary. Very good and easy to understand explanations on the basis of faith, the different sects, schools of Sunni Islam, the concept of sharia, the life of Muhammad etc.
Negative: the author is in love with Islam and describes it as the best and most superior religion, superior to everything, especially compared to Christianity. Islam expansion after Muhammad was good, Christian crusades were evil. So simple is that - according to the author. For the author, everything about Islam is good. The women are happy and never oppressed, Islam mass immigration to Europe is welcome, Europeans converting to Islam is good, she even whitewashes terrorism and Islam radicalism. Her chapter on the "Arab spring" shows how out of touch the author is with reality. There are even factual erroris in the book, due to her biased view. One example: she praises the decoration of mosques that are decorated with quote from the Quran, which is not existing - according to the author - in Christian churches (temples of a religion she deems inferior to Islam). This shows her ignorance or the the fact she hardly ever visits Christian churches.
To sum it up: it would have been a better book written from a distance and more neutral standpoint.
February 20, 2025
Me pareció un libro que logra lo que se propone, que esta definido por el título. Es decir, ser una introducción histórica al islam bastante satisfactoria para el lector interesado.
Es un tema muy amplio y en eso esta el sacrificio que tiene que hacer, que es ser por momentos superficial en algunos de los temas que cubre. Esto no es un defecto tampoco, porque la autora es consciente de esto y se encarga de dejar a mano una buena cantidad de bibliografía complementaria para cada capitulo.
Lo que sí puedo categorizar como defecto es que especialmente en los últimos capítulos queda claro que el texto fue escrito poco después de la primavera árabe. Y la actitud respecto de la evolución inmediata de la política y la religión en medio oriente envejeció de manera pobre solo 10 años después de su publicación.
Por otro lado, como último comentario la edición es preciosa y el material visual que acompaña al texto es excelente.
Es un tema muy amplio y en eso esta el sacrificio que tiene que hacer, que es ser por momentos superficial en algunos de los temas que cubre. Esto no es un defecto tampoco, porque la autora es consciente de esto y se encarga de dejar a mano una buena cantidad de bibliografía complementaria para cada capitulo.
Lo que sí puedo categorizar como defecto es que especialmente en los últimos capítulos queda claro que el texto fue escrito poco después de la primavera árabe. Y la actitud respecto de la evolución inmediata de la política y la religión en medio oriente envejeció de manera pobre solo 10 años después de su publicación.
Por otro lado, como último comentario la edición es preciosa y el material visual que acompaña al texto es excelente.
March 27, 2024
This is an excellent factual account of the history of Islam and its evolution through the centuries. IT explains in great detail the diversity amongst Muslim society (do not confuse this with the current term of diversity) and the ethos and nature of the religion. Coming from a secular background I was keen to learn about the fastest growing religion in the world and wanted to understand the deeper issues surrounding the stereotypes that exist. Unsurprisingly, it's not a black and white answer (what is?) but the book offers at least a pathway to further discussion and reading, as well as dismissing brazen stereotypes of Islam.
It is a respectful and fascinating account, as good for historians as it is for curious people like me. I learnt a great deal from this book.
It is a respectful and fascinating account, as good for historians as it is for curious people like me. I learnt a great deal from this book.
November 30, 2017
An interesting, well-written book. It opened a whole new perspective on Islam; the influences different cultures have brought to the religion and the rich history Muslims have. A great read for anyone wanting to understand Islam, Muslim people and their traditions.
May 10, 2021
I purchased this book to learn about the religion of Islam. It was not really informative and I would have been better off just reading the Quran. The part about Islam spreading across the modern world - especially to Sweden - was very sad and depressing. 2/5
December 12, 2024
4✯/ 5
I read this for uni but I am behind with my reading goal so it will do just fine. Still, a great introduction to the islamic religion and culture, very interesting and helped me a lot to understand different themes we disgussed in class.
I'm interested to read more detailed book about some of the themes.
I read this for uni but I am behind with my reading goal so it will do just fine. Still, a great introduction to the islamic religion and culture, very interesting and helped me a lot to understand different themes we disgussed in class.
I'm interested to read more detailed book about some of the themes.
July 18, 2018
Covers every corner of Islam and still is easily accessible to everyone interested. This book helped me a lot to understand today's world.
January 5, 2021
Respect
April 26, 2021
Interesting read with the necessary background info.
August 25, 2021
Era il primo libro che studiavo su questa tematica e mi è sembrato molto interessante e completo
November 23, 2024
Everything I wanted to know about the topic.
April 14, 2018
One of the best introductions into Islam.
October 15, 2025
Not a bad book, just too much detail for me personally. Having said that, elements of it have stuck with me since so I'm happy I picked it up.
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