Islam in the World

by Malise Ruthven

Islam in the World has long been considered one of the best books for gaining an understanding of modern Islam. In this updated edition, Islamic expert Malise Ruthven adds a new preface and new chapters analyzing the major issues of today, including the impact of 9/11, the meaning of "the war on terror," and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. New material also explains important differences within Islam that many Westerners are just beginning to learn about, including the rivalry between Sunnis and Shias, the relationship between Sufism and modern Islamism and the debates about democracy raging throughout the Muslim Word.
This invaluable introductory guide presents a full overview of Islam in its historical, geographic, and social settings and explains how the quest for spiritual fulfillment is inevitably bound up with political aspirations.

Genres: Religion, Islam, History, Nonfiction, Middle East

544 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 1984

About the author

Malise Ruthven is the author of Islam in the World, The Divine Supermarket: Shopping for God in America, A Satanic Affair: Salman Rushdie and the Wrath of Islam and several other books. His Islam: A Very Short Introduction has been published in several languages, including Chinese, Korean, Romanian, Polish, Italian and German.

A former scriptwriter with the BBC Arabic and World Services, Dr Ruthven holds an MA in English Literature and a PhD in Social and Political Sciences from Cambridge University. He has taught Islamic studies, cultural history and comparative religion at the University of Aberdeen, the University of California, San Diego, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire and Colorado College.

Now a full-time writer, he is currently working on Fundamentalism: A Very Short Introduction and Arabesque and Crucifix, a study in comparative religious iconography.

Reviews

[Gaijinmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was on my TBR shelves so long I had to buy the updated edition. As you may imagine, the Islamic world has changed a lot since 1988! This is a comprehensive history and analysis of Islam, readable but definitely academic in tone. For those like myself who know nothing about Islam it gets confusing. The author tends to use an Arabic word and not explain what it means till several paragraphs later. I kept having to look at the glossary and historical timeline provided in the back of the book. It was definitely worth the three months it took me to get through this book, however. I feel much better informed.　In fact, it was shocking how ignorant I , and I dare say many others from Western cultural backgrounds, are about Islam. 　I have to confess, my eyes glazed over a bit during some of the long, dry historical passages (and so-and-so begot so-and-so, and so on and so on...) but I also understand that, without some basic knowledge of the historical background we can't really begin to deal with issues such as the role of women, the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, etc.
Highly recommended but Definitely not lightweight!

[Mars Cheung · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for an unbiased-as-possible source on Islam and believe it to be found this book. There are details upon details on the very specifics of the faith and its' development up through the 21st century ranging from its origins, its development and many theologians, the different sects (Sunni/Shia/Sufi), and it's passage through modern times. That said, it's a VERY academically thick read. There's so much detail that it's impossible to easily assimilate the information on one pass and the language is highly didactic so it's definitely not light reading. Best used as a resource if you're researching and want precise specifics. I still highly recommend it.

[Caleb McCary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good overview of history and theology but the commentary mixed in is very dated in light of the developments of the first two decades of the 21st century. If you pick this up, make sure to look at the publication date, 2000, and remember who much the conversations around Islam shifted shortly after. I’d love to read another edition that takes into account event like 9-11, the Arab Spring, and the rise of ISIS.

[Ariel Karn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so dearly want to rate it 1.5 but I’ll keep it at 3, in case it’s me and not the book.

I want to read a book on Islam in the world. I got this book randomly few months ago. It’s literally the only book on Islamic history that I have so I decided to read it - thinking how nice that I get a hold of a book on Islam that is literally pre-911.

But dear god, I spent somewhat 30-40 mins per page. And I blame that on my own lack of background on this area but is it really on me completely tho?? The way the book explain the history is exhausting. And perhaps this is just me but what’s up with trying to use fancy and confusing and indirect (meaning) words? I mean you ever read that non-fiction book that was way too eager on projecting the fiction (classical fiction) vibe?

I get that one may want to write things beautifully with lovely fancy words, but aeyyyy too much not good lah.

Also why write book that is meant/projected to be for somewhat the beginner in the field yet explain absolutely no contexts/terms/backgrounds. I came to this book not very smart about Islamic history but why the book is making me feel worse - I’m here to learn boii.

Im finding new book, you got some to rec please let me know. I’m new to this whole thing but my field required understanding about Islam and Islamism.

[Alessandro Massa]

Fantastic scholarly overview of a world as complicated and central as the "islamic" world. Obviously, "islamic" makes as much sense "christian" does (so it does and it doesn't) but Ruthven is careful to paint on the edges and highlight the nuance, overcoming the idea of a monolithic "islam". To be honest, there was so much nuance I'm going to have to re-read the book to appreciate its full scope. Great work

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely excellent book! I didn't expect to like this book, but this is the finest book I have ever read on Islam. Not the usual Islamophobic hate propaganda but not Islamist apologetics either. A good objective view of the religion from the POV of an outside scholar.

Highly recommended!

[David Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some sections were more useful than others. Overall a good, educational read.

[Filipe Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening exploration of Islam. Erudite and of a staggering breadth, a must read.

[Ross MacLellan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In-depth look at Islam, especially in the relationship between spirituality and politics (hence the "In The World"). Useful if you want to understand some of the different currents in Islamic study, definitely one that I'll be referring back to in the future. This edition was published in 1984 so it's a little outdated but it was still illuminating for somebody who didn't know much about Islam.

[Brian Griffith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruthven does an objective job exploring the evolution of Islamic traditions. He points out, for example, how interpretations diverged on the Quran's verse “Oh believers, do not enter the Prophet’s house except that permission is given you for a meal. … And if you ask them [the women] for a thing, then ask them from behind a hijab. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts” (33:53). Over time, many Islamic legalists, with their usual propensity for turning every piece of advice recorded in the scripture into a universal, eternally binding “law,” insisted that this verse required all Muslim women to strictly conceal themselves or stay indoors, so that no man outside their families could ever gaze upon them. (p. 173).

[Angelique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read about as much of this I am ever - I can't say it wasn't insightful - just way too heavy and academic for me.