About the Book

The faith of a billion Muslims today, developed over fourteen centuries, is sympathetically and skillfully presented in this marvelous introduction. Hewer's extensive knowledge and contextually sensitive presentation yield an exceptionally rich and faithful account, presupposing no prior knowledge of the traditions, without orientalist, Western, or Christian biases. Includes diagrams, glossary, and easy to follow references to the Qur'an.

• "Understanding Islam is a model in the genre. It will surely be of the greatest help not only for students of religious studies but for the general reader interested in grasping what the faith and way of life of Muslims are essentially about, far away from the caricatures too often privileged in our time."

  —Yahya Michot, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Oxford University

• "This is a clearly written and well-organized book that is a fine introduction to Islam. It will serve as a useful resource for all who desire to deepen their understanding and appreciation of this important faith. The author ably shows how the rich heritage of Islam is celebrated and expressed in the faith lives of Muslims."

  —John Kaltner, Rhodes College, author of Islam: What Non-Muslims Should Know

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