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Islam: Past, Present and Future
No other religion in the modern world has come under such close scrutiny or been viewed as a source of so much harm to our civilization as Islam. It is routinely portrayed in the media as a promoter of terrorism, supporter of authoritarian governments, oppressor of women, and an enemy of the West. In this sympathetic assessment of the religion, renowned Christian theologian Hans Küng, demonstrates that this simplistic perception could not be further from the truth.
Providing a masterful overview of Islam’s 1,400-year history, Küng’s critically acclaimed bestseller examines its fundamental beliefs and practices, outlines the major schools of thought, and surveys the positions of Islam on the urgent questions of the day. Deft, assured, and comprehensive, this essential reference work is now available in paperback for the first time.
Providing a masterful overview of Islam’s 1,400-year history, Küng’s critically acclaimed bestseller examines its fundamental beliefs and practices, outlines the major schools of thought, and surveys the positions of Islam on the urgent questions of the day. Deft, assured, and comprehensive, this essential reference work is now available in paperback for the first time.
800 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 27, 2025
Hans Küng’s Islam: Past, Present and Future is an eye-opening and inspiring read that does a fantastic job of explaining one of the world’s great religions in a way that feels both informative and approachable. Küng, a respected theologian known for promoting dialogue between faiths, takes readers on a journey through the history of Islam while keeping an eye on what it means for today’s world.
The book starts by going back to the very beginning, with the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the birth of the Islamic faith. Küng shows how Islam connects with Judaism and Christianity, while also highlighting what makes it unique. He covers big moments in Islamic history—its early expansion, cultural achievements, and the wide variety of movements and traditions that developed over the centuries. What’s impressive is how he explains complex ideas in clear, straightforward language that anyone can follow.
What really stands out is Küng’s fair and balanced perspective. He doesn’t shy away from the hard questions—like struggles with extremism or the challenges of modernization—but he always frames them with respect and care. He makes it clear that Islam, like any major faith, is diverse and dynamic, with rich traditions of spirituality, philosophy, and reform.
More than just history, though, this book is about hope. Küng believes that understanding Islam is essential for building peace in our globalized world, and he argues convincingly that Christians, Muslims, and Jews have more in common than they often realize. His call for dialogue and cooperation feels both urgent and encouraging.
Overall, Islam: Past, Present and Future is a fascinating, thoughtful, and surprisingly readable book. Whether you’re new to the subject or looking to deepen your understanding, it’s a powerful reminder of why learning about each other’s traditions matters so much.
Damian North.
Author
The book starts by going back to the very beginning, with the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the birth of the Islamic faith. Küng shows how Islam connects with Judaism and Christianity, while also highlighting what makes it unique. He covers big moments in Islamic history—its early expansion, cultural achievements, and the wide variety of movements and traditions that developed over the centuries. What’s impressive is how he explains complex ideas in clear, straightforward language that anyone can follow.
What really stands out is Küng’s fair and balanced perspective. He doesn’t shy away from the hard questions—like struggles with extremism or the challenges of modernization—but he always frames them with respect and care. He makes it clear that Islam, like any major faith, is diverse and dynamic, with rich traditions of spirituality, philosophy, and reform.
More than just history, though, this book is about hope. Küng believes that understanding Islam is essential for building peace in our globalized world, and he argues convincingly that Christians, Muslims, and Jews have more in common than they often realize. His call for dialogue and cooperation feels both urgent and encouraging.
Overall, Islam: Past, Present and Future is a fascinating, thoughtful, and surprisingly readable book. Whether you’re new to the subject or looking to deepen your understanding, it’s a powerful reminder of why learning about each other’s traditions matters so much.
Damian North.
Author
October 6, 2012
Hans Kung's lucid prolific study of Islamic history and the honest engagement with the issues of Christianity Islam dialogue makes this a compulsory read for all who think about the future of the world.
July 27, 2020
Este não é um livro apenas sobre uma religião. É um livro que ajuda a perceber toda uma cultura, tradições e modos de viver.
Começa por se debruçar sobre a história do islão de modo a melhor perceber o porquê do funcionamento do presente, sendo, também, possível extrapolar um pouco de como pode vir a ser o futuro próximo. Tem como objetivo transpor algumas barreiras que existiam e continuam a existir na sociedade nos dias de hoje, explicando qual a melhor metodologia para tal.
Começa por se debruçar sobre a história do islão de modo a melhor perceber o porquê do funcionamento do presente, sendo, também, possível extrapolar um pouco de como pode vir a ser o futuro próximo. Tem como objetivo transpor algumas barreiras que existiam e continuam a existir na sociedade nos dias de hoje, explicando qual a melhor metodologia para tal.
December 20, 2020
Excellent.
November 8, 2015
Gegen Ende hin nicht nur von den Ereignissen überholt, sondern bemerkenswert naiv, um nicht zu sagen arrogant in seiner Konzentration auf einzelne, fortschrittliche Dogmatiker.
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September 17, 2016Extremely thorough and well balanced overall. An academic and detailed unpacking of Islam and its interrelation with history and the other major world religions.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews