There are gross misunderstandings about Islam among Muslims as well as non-Muslims. There are several stereotypes about Islam which have got wide currency. Some orthodox Muslims refuse to change, while standing rigidly by theology, developed by the Ulema of the early period. Many extremists organisations among Muslims are giving currency to rude ideas about Islam which are not in keeping with the real teaching of Islam. Sometimes the media also misrepresents Islam and projects it as if it stands for violence and suppression of human rights.
Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, an internationally known scholar of Islam approaches Islam rationally and projects Islamic teachings in its right spirit. He has taken up several issues in his essays on Islam, some of which have been collected in this volume. He rationally and objectively deals with various issues, which are of contemporary significance. Whatever he writes, he writes with force of his scholarship. In this volume he deals with issues like interfaith approach of Islam, Islam and gender justice, Islamic ethics, meaning of prayer in Islam, core teaching of Islam, Islam and concept of jihad, etc., which are all highly relevant issues.
This book will help scholars as well as lay readers to capture the real spirit of Islam and its teachings. It will help dispel misconceptions about Islam. The author has also argued forcefully that Islam is far from being an anti-diluvion religion and is as modern as any system of thought could be. |
