Tracks the spread of Islam from the life of the Prophet Muhammad during the 7th century to the collapse of the Islamic empire by the early 10th century.
Acknowledgements Preface Timeline Historical Overview The Arab-Islamic Conquests The Umayyad Caliphate Cities in the Early Abbasid Period Religious Practice, Law and Spirituality The Islamic World in the Early Tenth Century Biographies Glossary Bibliography Primary Documents
Matthew S. Gordon studies the socio-political history of the early Islamic Near East. His book, The Breaking of a Thousand Swords: A History of the Turkish Military of Samarra (SUNY Press) appeared in 2001. A primer, entitled Understanding Islam (Duncan Baird Publishers/Oxford University Press), was published in 2002.
Add this book to the list of good introductions to the origins of
Islam for upper-level high school social science or first-year
college humanities courses. What sets this text apart from many
others is its focus on the socioeconomic, political, and cultural
milieu in which a new religious movement was born and has thrived;
its discussion of the origins of Islamic law, spirituality and
theology, mysticism, philosophy, and culture; and an appendix of
individual page-length biographies of important figures. Also
included is a helpful glossary ofterms, a photo essay, selections
from primary sources, and an annotated bibliography….Matthew S.
Gordon's discussion of the sociocultural origins and authority of
the Qur'an is very good. He also highlights an area of Islamic
studies often ignored in general introduction, the role of
urbanization in the development of Islamic civilization
worldwide….[thhis is a very useful and informative general
introduction.
*The Historian*
The Rise of Islam is a concise, edifying and entertaining
monograph….[I] would recommend The Rise of Islam to both those who
have a casual interest in the development of Islam and also to
students, who have begun studying Islamic history and want to read
a work that presents the history in a flowing, colourful
fashion.
*Studies in Religion*
This introductory and brief survey of the first few centuries of
the Islamic era covers the spread of Muslim rule from Arabia to
North Africa and Europe as well as its Eastern march towards Persia
and Central Asia. The author has attempted to chronicle the
religious and social life of the world's most vital and sustained
culture.
*The Muslim World Book Review*
[A] strong addition to the series covering the birth of Islam in
the 7th century and its expansion from the Arab world to the
collapse of the Islamic empire in the early 10th century. The focus
on how the new religion merged with social goals to become a
worldwide influence is particularly intriguing.
*MBR Internet Bookwatch/Library Bookwatch*
[G]ordon introduces high-school and undergraduate students to the
early history of Islam, from the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad
to the collapse of the Islamic Empire in the early 10th century. In
a mixture of narrative and analysis of particular topics, he
emphasizes the social and political aspects, and generally refers
readers to fuller accounts for the teachings and practice of
Islam.
*Reference & Research Book News*
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