101 Questions and Answers on Islam

by John Renard

Publisher:

Paulist Press

, 1998

Overview

Islam is one of the world’s fastest growing religions, and understanding its beliefs and traditions is increasingly important for Christians. John Renard provides an informative, accessible, and fascinating overview of the faith and customs of Islam in today’s world.

Contents

Top Highlights

“By the late sixth century, Mecca had achieved the status of the principal cultic center, attracting large numbers of traders and pilgrims to its regular religious and cultural festivities. At the heart of the city was—and still is—the Ka‘ba, which in Muhammad’s time was a simple, nearly cubic-shaped structure of dark stone.” (Page 3)

“Muhammad provides, first and foremost, the ultimate model of what God wants every human being to strive for” (Page 7)

“It was not primarily missionary zeal that motivated the troops, but the promise of adventure and booty” (Pages 19–20)

“In Muhammad’s time the Meccan cult revolved around a principal deity called Allah” (Page 4)

“Here is the deepest meaning of the terms ‘islam’ and ‘muslim.’ The Arabic root S-L-M carries the connotation of being in that state of wholeness and balance that results from having all of one’s relationships and priorities in order. That state is called SaLaM (related to the Hebrew shalom). Now when a person pursues that state in relation to God, it means attributing to God and to none else what belongs to God, and that is the root meaning of iSLaM. One who achieves that state of propriety in relation to God is a muSLiM; literally, ‘one brings about a state of SaLaM’ by acknowledging that God alone, to follow up on the imagery of Abraham’s story, ‘does not set.’” (Pages 35–36)

Product Details

• Title: 101 Questions and Answers on Islam
• Author: John Renard
• Series: 101 Questions and Answers Series
• Publisher: Paulist Press
• Print Publication Date: 1998
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Islam › Essence, genius, nature; Islam › Miscellanea; Questions and answers
• ISBNs: 0809142805, 9780809142804
• Resource ID: LLS:QSTNSNSWRSSLM
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:43:52Z

About John Renard

John Renard is professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University, where he has taught Islamic studies, history of religion, and comparative theology since 1978. He has written He has published 19 books on Sufism and Islam.