Islam by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Seyyed Hossein Nasr, one of the world's leading Islamicists and an Iranian professor of Islamic Studies (previously of Tehran University and currently of George Washington University), and president of the Foundation for Traditional Studies, has presented the world with written and published eighteen books on the topic of Islam. Throughout his books, professor Nasr offers a clear introduction to Islam, and certain basic aspects of this rich and diverse religion, tradition, culture and civilization of more than a billion believers. His book, “Islam, Religion, History, and Civilization”, takes the reader on a journey throughout the history of Islam from initiation to today where he explains Islamic beliefs, practices, institutes, and schools of thought. Professor Nasr also discusses the relationship between Islam and other religions and also spiritual and religious significance of Islam based on traditional Islamic beliefs. He intellectually represents Islam in such way that it would be acceptable by majority of Moslems as well as non-Moslems.
Through the introduction of this book, professor Nasr expresses the importance of knowledge of Islam for those who are concerned with situation of contemporary humanity and believers of essentiality of a bond between East and West; especially considering the large number of Moslems with racial and cultural diversity. Also individuals interested in reality of religion and spiritual world, as well as those attracted to birth and nurture of different cultures, can benefit from the knowledge of Islam. Considering the crucial rule of this religion in development of different cultures including the Western civilization, Nasr believes that all man-kind can benefit from the knowledge of Islam. In the first chapter of the book, Nasr explains that penetration of the reality of Islam in the consciousness of Westerners, in various forms and from different directions, which has led the world become aware of the significant of Islam now a days. Westerners have realized the need of the true Islamic knowledge. Professor Nasr strongly believes that true Islam has yet not been portrayed, in an unbiased manner, as in each period through the history "Islamic studies has been distorted and tainted by a particular set of errors and deviations". Hence the urge of an unbiased and realistic look at Islam, providing a clear and intellectual introduction to the religion as well as the history and civilization, has encouraged Nasr to create his overviews. He declares that his books are written and based upon...