Defining Islam A Reader

Defining Islam: A Reader aims to present original source material and scholarly reflections on how the word "Islam" is to be used and understood. Ever since a group of people came into existence who called themselves Muslims, questions of what it meant to be a member of that group, who was to be included and who excluded, and what the requirements for membership were, have proven to be both divisive and defining for the community itself. Likewise for scholars, the issue of what constitutes "Islam" when they talk about the emergence of the religion or when they compare local traditions or when the media debates whether the phrase "Muslim terrorist" is meaningful or appropriate, is always a central one for debate.

Ever since a group of people came into existence who called themselves Muslims and followed Islam, questions of what it means to be a member of this group - who is to be included/excluded and what the requirements for membership are - have proven to be both divisive and defining. For scholars and critics, the issue of what constitutes or defines 'Islam' - whether examining the history of the religion, its specific traditions, sectarian politics, or acts of terrorist - is central to any understanding of issues, cultures and ideas. 'Defining Islam' brings together key classic and contemporary writings on the nature of Islam to provide student readers with the ideal collection of both primary and critical sources.

Sections to be included in the volume: 1.

Andrew Rippin is a Professor of Islamic History at the University of Victoria, Canada.