Living Islam (muslim Expressions Of Faith)

By (author) Asani Ali S.
Short description/annotation:
Invites readers to better understand the varied interpretations of Islam.
Description:
The story of Islam is not one story, but many stories involving peoples of different races, ethnicities, and cultures. Every religious tradition is marked by internal diversity, manifested through its various communities of interpretation. Islam likewise is multifaceted, as are Muslim life and faith. Living Islam invites readers to appreciate ways in which Muslims from diverse backgrounds and traditions interpret and experience their faith. Adopting a cultural studies approach, Ali Asani begins by posing questions such as ‘Which Islam?’ and ‘Whose Islam?’, and he considers different conceptions of being Muslim. He then illustrates multidimensional ways in which Muslims relate to the Prophet Muhammad, including as messenger, model, intercessor, and beloved. Drawing on Muslim devotional practices and exploring the Islamic ‘artscape’, he showcases how the beauty of the transcendent can be experienced through sonic, visual and poetic arts.
Table of contents:

Acknowledgements
Note on the Text
Introduction
Chapter 1: Who is a Muslim?
Chapter 2: Following God’s Beloved: Muhammad as the Ideal Muslim
Chapter 3: Multisensory Religion: Rethinking Islam
Conclusion
Glossary
Notes
Further Reading
List of Illustrations
Index

Review quote:
In presenting Islam as it has been experienced by Muslims, and presenting it in an accessible and sympathetic way, Ali Asani has produced a book that will not only be useful to students embarking on the study of Islam, but will also help foster interreligious understanding.
Review quote:
Prof. Asani is one of our key scholars of Islam. In this marvelous book, he gets to the heart of what it means to be a Muslim in the world today.
Biographical note:
Ali Asani is Murray A. Albertson Professor of Middle Eastern Studies and Professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic Religion and Cultures at Harvard University, US. At Harvard he has served as the Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and Director of the Prince Alwaleed Islamic Studies Program. He is the author of Celebrating Muhammad (1995), The Harvard Collection of Ismaili Literatures in Indic Languages (1992) and Ecstasy and Enlightenment (2002).
Promotional headline:
Invites readers to better understand the varied interpretations of Islam.
Description for collection:
The World of Islam series offers well­ researched yet easy ­to ­follow introductions that will stimulate listeners to think deeply and differently about Islam. Muslims around the world and throughout history express their faith and values through varied cultural, social, intellectual and religious means. By exploring the plurality of interpretations, this series encourages non­specialists to delve into the commonalities as well as the distinctions that shape diverse Muslim traditions.
Feature:
Introduces general readers to the ‘cultural studies approach’ to better understand religion
Feature:
Explains Islam through the lived realities of Muslims
Feature:
Makes the vocabulary and the lived Muslim experiences of Islam accessible to non-specialists
Feature:
Looks at Islam through popular culture, devotional practices and personal experiences