Overview

Islam, as presently perceived and practiced, no longer resembles the original Message. In a world plagued with Islamophobia and political Islam - and where other forms of fundamentalism within the major religious creeds are on the rise - this book acts as a wake-up call. It aims at establishing the grounds for a better understanding of Islam and its message of love and compassion and that of humanism, equality, nondiscrimination, peace, and respect for human rights. In the first part of this meticulously-researched volume, the author starts by placing the Message of Islam in its historic, geographic and cultural context. He focuses on the primacy of the Holy Qur'an among the sources of Islam, discusses the controversies which surrounded the Prophetic Tradition - Sunna and Hadith - as a source of Islam, and defines the scope of the universal nature of Islam. He then moves, in the second part, to address issues relating to the secular nature of Islam, Islam and the state, Islam and Sharia'a law, and humanism and individualism in Islam. In the third part, he concludes with chapters on the progressive nature of Islam, the important role of the mind in understanding and taking full benefit of religion as an engine of progress, with a particular focus on human rights, including the important issues of human dignity, freedom of faith, and gender equality.

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9781566569224

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Legal consultant Mahmassani outlines his views on Islam, aiming to present his interpretation of the Koran (Islam's holy book) and the Hadith (the prophetic traditions) and show how they are compatible with contemporary notions of secularism and rights to freedom and equality. The book is divided into three parts. The first part explores the conditions under which early Islam was propagated and how one should interpret the Hadith and Koran. The second segment discusses theory of the state as it relates to Islamic doctrine (as interpreted in part one). Here the author considers issues of statehood, law making focusing on Sharia law (Islamic law), and the theory of a divine (Islamic) state. The emphasis is on showing a multiplicity of Sharia laws and the myth of attaining a divine state. Part three looks at rights and freedoms and their consequences. Mahmassani believes that Islam is a universal faith, valid for all peoples at all times, including- with the proper interpretation- today. He shows its compatibility with contemporary notions of statehood, rights, freedoms, and pluralism. VERDICT Recommended for those interested in learning about a moderate view of Islam. This is a timely and seminal book... a major scholarly work... will come as a shock to many in the west as well as in today's Islamic world... It is a must read.

Legal consultant Mahmassani outlines his views on Islam, aiming to present his interpretation of the Koran (Islam's holy book) and the Hadith (the prophetic traditions) and show how they are compatible with contemporary notions of secularism and rights to freedom and equality. The book is divided into three parts. The first part explores the conditions under which early Islam was propagated and how one should interpret the Hadith and Koran. The second segment discusses theory of the state as it relates to Islamic doctrine (as interpreted in part one). Here the author considers issues of statehood, law making focusing on Sharia law (Islamic law), and the theory of a divine (Islamic) state. The emphasis is on showing a multiplicity of Sharia laws and the myth of attaining a divine state. Part three looks at rights and freedoms and their consequences. Mahmassani believes that Islam is a universal faith, valid for all peoples at all times, including- with the proper interpretation- today. He shows its compatibility with contemporary notions of statehood, rights, freedoms, and pluralism. VERDICT Recommended for those interested in learning about a moderate view of Islam.-- Library Journal This is a timely and seminal book... a major scholarly work... will come as a shock to many in the west as well as in today's Islamic world... It is a must read.-- Contemporary Arab Affairs

Author Information

Maher S. Mahmassani has written two books and numerous articles in anthologies and law journals, in Arabic, English, and French. He earned his doctorate in 1972 and taught law in Beirut at the Lebanese University Law School and the Arab University Law School. For over two decades, he was Chief Counsel for the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia at the International Finance Corporation. He also served as General Counsel of Middle East Airlines, The Arab Investment Company and Solidere, the private sector company in charge of rebuilding the downtown area of Beirut.

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