Islam -- An Introduction: A Teach Yourself Guide

by Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood

Do you want to learn more about this fascinating and complex world religion? Islam - an Introduction is a complete guide to the history, beliefs, and practicalities of this often misunderstood faith. Fully updated, it also addresses the key questions currently surrounding the religion, including women's rights, terrorism and fundamentalism, to give you a better understanding of Islam in the world today.

NOT GOT MUCH TIME?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.

AUTHOR INSIGHTS
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.

TEST YOURSELF
Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.

EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of psychology.

FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER
Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.

TRY THIS
Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Islam

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2010

About the author

Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood (Rosalyn Rushbrook/Kendrick) is the author of some forty books on Islam and other subjects. She gained her honours degree in Christian Theology at the University of Hull in 1963, and Post Graduate Teaching Certificate in 1964, with distinctions in theory and practice. Her professional life was spent as Head of Religious Studies at various tough UK inner city secondary schools, until she retired in 1996, to concentrate on writing and lecturing. She has since made the GCSE course in Islamic Studies available to students and converts to Islam of all ages, especially to those who have not had the opportunity to study it at school.

She grew up a devout Christian, but converted to Islam in 1986. Already established by then as an author of books on Christian and educational topics, she has since devoted her time to writing on Islam and doing dawah (explaining the faith) work to both Christian and Muslim audiences. She regularly addresses school and church groups, explaining Islam and educating in the basics of Islam, with a keen interest in presenting Islam as a world faith. She strives to raise the awareness both of non-Muslims and also of born Muslims of the traditional immigrant ethnic backgrounds living in the UK, that these numerous varieties of cultural backgrounds, tastes and emphases are all part of Islam, including cultures that are not limited to the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and North Africa.

Reviews

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) Among other books introducing Islam, this book is pretty good. The author does keep her own opinions mostly in check, though not always, but it doesn't lower the quality of the whole. The gives guidance on this faith's history, beliefs, and practices, plus addresses some current issues (though some things have appeared and changed: in this book Bin Laden is still alive, ISIS does not appear, and I feel her optimisms would be different today than how they were at the time this book came out).

So. This books chapters talk about the start (the Prophet and the succession stuff), the Qu'ran and its key teachings, fasting, hajj, specials and days and festivals, mosques, faith showing in social life in things like clothing, diet, and friendships; the passages of life, the law, Sufism, politics and terrorism, and the future. Some glossary, books, and websites come after main text.

This book was very infromative, whatever flaws was in there. It gave me a clearer pictures of what I like and dislike in Islam, and some neat little facts I didn't know: the two guardian angels for each person, when the first English Qu'ran came out (1649), female imams, all the phases of the Hajj, what Ayatollah is (not a name but a title), that wine vinegar is halal, and that birthday are not much celebrated.

The author is a convert and a lecturer, has written other books and won some awards. I found her to feel like she's a middle-of-the-road in her opinions, even when I disagree with some of them. She speaks fairly on Sufism, and includes Shi'ites opinions on many things. This book is very informative, clared a lot of things to me, and is easy to search for different subjects. A good choice for me to read on this religion.

[Muhammad Abu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life changing book by Ruqaiyyah waris maqsood.
I can't put the message and lessons of this book into words bcz if I sit and explain only one line of book , I might be unable . I would suggest to read it. Each and every line is unique . This book is quidance for Muslims in all aspects.

[Thevuni Kotigala · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gave me a good insight on Islam and answered quite a number of questions I had - it's definitely a useful and practical guide book!

[Miriam Wakerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me this was such a useful and fascinating book, helping to fill a regrettable and yawning gap in my knowledge. Thoroughly recommend to anyone who feels they would like a better understanding of what the Muslim religion is - its origins, culture, the role of women, traditions and beliefs and how all this relates, or not, to radical extremism. Apart from being an education, I enjoyed its style and format.

[Liam Macpherson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5.

In bad need of an update, interested persons id recommend more modern book.

Covered lots of new concepts. Wasn’t incredibly well laid out, general history before specifics of The Prophet’s ﷺ life and teaching, would have been preferable in my opinion.

Definitely intended more as a reference book to be dipped into than anything else.

Also lots of ascientific, bordering on homophobic and hateful opinions seeping in.

[Katja]

I was most of the way through this when I caught the author's name. At that point I realized she wrote another book I read, then I started specifically looking for her books. Very easy to understand and conversational style.

[Lumturi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a big fan of this author's attitudes to Shia and Sufi Muslims