The Cultural Atlas of Islam

American J o d of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 3, No.
1, 1986 169
Book Notice
The Cultural Atlas of Islam

Ismail and Lamya’ a1 Faruqi
This magnifrcent book, published by Macmillan a month after the Famqis’

deaths, presents the entire world view of Islam-its beliefs, traditions, institu-
tions, and its place in the cultures in which it has taken mot. THE CULTURAL
ATLAS OF ISLAM is not only a comprehensive introduction to the Islamic
experience in history and the modern world. It is an authoritative and deeply
felt statement of the faith of Islam, written for those of all faiths. Isma‘il and
Lois Lamya’ al Famqi’s book is, in fact, Islam explaining itself.
Rich with more than 300 photographs, drawings, and other illustrations,
and with some 75 original maps, this is a unique guide to the meaning of
Islam and its shaping force on cultures from the Mediterranean to the Pacific.
This is, however, much more than a history of events; it is a clear presenta-
tion of the essence of Islamic civilization in all its spheres, from everyday
practices of Muslims around the world to the Islamic legacy in art, science,
law, politics, and philosophy.
The authors begin with the ancient setting of Islam, examining the different
strands of influence-Arab, Mesopotamian, Canaanite, and Hebrew-that were
its frontrunners. Islam, the authors demonstrate, brought together diverse tradi-
tions and from them forged the unique body of belief, thought, and practice
that continues to animate Muslim life today throughout the world.
Part N o explains the concept of Tawhid-the essence of Islam that binds
together the lives of its believers. Tawhid is the affirmation of God as One,
Absolute, and Ultimate; it deeply affects all aspects of Islamic thought, ex-
pression, and behavior.
Part Three shows how this core of belief takes shape in scripture, social
institutions, and the arts-the forms which God’s revelations to Muhammad
assumed in the historical fabric of Islam. There is a concise introduction to
the fundamental nature of the Qurhn, and to the collection of Muhammad’s
sayings and deeds that clarify its statements-the Sunnah. The ways in which
Islam affects social life and its institutions-from education and family life
to the making of the Hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca-is also examined. So,
too, is the central role of the Qurhn in defining artistic expression.
part Four is a remarkable exploriltion of the manifestations of Islam in all
170 American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 3, No. 1, 1986
areas of intellectual, social, artistic, political, and scientific life. Here, the
authors trace the flowering of Islam, its enormous impact on other traditions,
and its distinctive legacy in language, law, theology, philosophy, the social
sciences, history, literature, art, architecture, music, and crafts. From the ef-
fect of the Q u r h on the development of literary Arabic to the function of
ornamentation in Islamic art, from the meaning of Shritzh, or Islamic law,
to the achievements of such influential scholars as the historian Ibn Khaldun,
these chapters form a superb introduction to the entire range of Islamic
civilization.
Throughout the book, the authors pay special attention to the influence of
other traditions-Judaism, Christianity, and classical Greek philosophy, for
example-on Islam. Yet they return time and again to that which is unique
to Islam: the distinctive set of assumptions and questions Muslims use to define
the path to a just and holy life.
Rich in detail, clearly written, and integrating the best of classic and con-
tempomy scholarship, this is an exceptionally valuable book. It presents Islam
from the inside out, makes much that has been overlooked or distorted by
Western scholars clear, vital, and comprehensible, and documents for all the
reality of a religion that counts nearly a quarter of humanity as its follwoers.
This is indeed an essential addition to all libmries, and a valuable new resource
for all interested both in Islam and in the religious experience writ large.
Available from the Islamic Book Service, 109oO West Washington St..
Indianapolis, IN 46231

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American J o d of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 3, No.

The Cultural Atlas of Islam

This magnifrcent book, published by Macmillan a month after the Famqis’

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