The Emergence of Islam, 2nd Edition
Classical Traditions in Contemporary Perspective
- World Religions
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2023
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Publisher's Description
Now in an updated second edition, Gabriel Said Reynolds tells the story of Islam in this brief illustrated survey, beginning with Muhammad's early life and rise to power, then tracing the origins and development of the Qur'an juxtaposed with biblical literature, and concluding with an overview of modern and fundamentalist narratives of the origin of Islam. Reynolds offers a fascinating look at the structure and meaning of the Qur'an, revealing the ways in which biblical language is used to advance the Qur'an's religious meaning. Reynolds' analysis identifies the motives that shaped each narrative--Islamic, Jewish, and Christian. The book's conclusion yields a rich understanding of diverse interpretations of Islam's emergence, suggesting that its emergence is itself ever-developing.
Endorsements (6)
“Gabriel Said Reynolds is one of the most important scholars of Islamic and Quranic studies in our day. In this lucid and accessible resource, he combines his outstanding command of Islamic primary sources with his vast knowledge of Muslim cultures to bring forth a thoughtful, respectful, and critical study of Islam’s emergence. For years, I have adopted this book in my Islamic Studies courses, and this new edition is greatly welcomed.”
“This book is a cutting-edge introduction to the foundations and legacy of a major world religion—Islam. It finally offers the public the sophisticated, critical examination of Islam’s beginnings long deserved, but only now received. Reynolds masterfully weaves together evidence from late antiquity, biblical studies, and Islamic tradition, with insights from seminal works of modern scholarship, including those of J. Wansbrough and W. M. Watt. The wealth of information is expressed in simple language and complemented with a wealth of images and apparatuses, making this book a must have for all readers interested in The Emergence of Islam.”
“Once again, Gabriel Said Reynolds demonstrates his immense talent as a historian and pedagogue. The Emergence of Islam stands out as a fundamental and valuable teaching tool on the origins of Islam that will surely benefit all students and scholars. A real tour de force!”
“The publication of The Emergence of Islam was a landmark event in the study of Islam, and this new edition only reinforces its incomparable status. With a light, compassionate touch, Reynolds presents the contested history of this religion to first-time readers and seasoned scholars alike without cutting corners or avoiding controversial topics. The author’s broad sweep ranges from the history of pre-Islamic Arabia to the rise, fall, and now return of the Taliban in Afghanistan. This text is destined to be the best introduction to Islam anywhere in the world. It is genuinely a tour de force of historic significance.”
“As always, Reynolds makes the landscape of the historical, theological, and intellectual inquiry around Muhammad, the Qur’an, and the emergence of Islam accessible to all. Both a novice learner and a seasoned academic will find new insights in this second edition through new scholarship on pre-Islamic inscriptions that have radically shifted our understanding of the religious practices in Arabia just prior to Muhammad’s life. Comprehensive and succinct in covering an impressive amount of time and material, Reynolds’ approach to critically incorporating traditional Islamic sources honors current scholarship and historical evidence while capturing the integral theological understandings of the nascent Muslim community. The layout of this book—including timelines, images, graphs, study questions, profiles of key personalities, descriptions of major concepts, and translations of classical texts—makes this volume volume an excellent reference tool as well. All around, a welcome addition to my library.”
“Reynolds has distilled vast learning into a carefully and clearly written guide through difficult and complex subjects. This is an outstanding and excellent resource for teacher and student alike.”
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