Cover Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- General Information -- Why do we need to know about Islam? -- Are all Muslims the same? -- Where do most Muslims live? -- Faith and Practice -- What do Muslims believe? -- Why do Muslims say they are descended from Abraham? -- How did Islam originate? -- What is the Muslim scripture? -- Why is Arabic so important in Islam? -- What role does Muhammad play in Muslim life? -- Was Muhammad a prophet like the prophets in the Bible? -- Why is so much known about Muhammad's life? -- Did Muhammad have multiple wives? -- What do Muslims believe about a worldwide Muslim community (ummah)? -- What are the core beliefs that unite all Muslims? -- What do Muslims do on the pilgrimage to Mecca? -- What is the Kaaba? -- What is the significance of Mecca? -- How do Muslims pray? -- Do Muslims believe in angels? -- Do Muslims believe in heaven and hell? -- Do Muslims believe in saints? -- What do Muslims believe about Mary and Jesus? -- Do Muslims have a Sabbath like Jews and Christians? -- Do Muslims have a weekly worship service? -- Do Muslims have religious holidays or holy days? -- Does Islam have a clergy? -- What is a mosque? -- What is an Islamic center? -- Are there any divisions in Islam? -- What is the difference between Sunni and Shii Muslims? -- What are the divisions among Shii Muslims? -- What is Wahhabi Islam? -- Is there a difference between Muslims and Black Muslims? -- Are Sufis Muslims? -- Who are these Islamic fundamentalists? -- Is Islam medieval and against change? -- Is Islam compatible with modernization? -- Are there any modern Muslim thinkers or reformers? -- Islam and Other Religions -- Do Muslims believe Islam is the only true religion? -- Is Islam intolerant of other religions? -- How is Islam similar to Christianity and Judaism?.

How do Muslims view Judaism? Christianity? -- Why do Muslims persecute Christians in Muslim countries? -- Haven't Jews and Christians always been enemies of Islam? -- Customs and Culture -- Why does Islam separate men and women? -- Are women second-class citizens in Islam? -- What kinds of roles did women play in early Islam? -- Why do Muslim women wear veils and long garments? -- Why aren't women allowed to work or drive in Islam? -- Why do Muslim men wear turbans or caps? -- Why do Muslim men wear beards? -- Does Islam require circumcision? -- Can Muslim men have more than one wife? -- Can Muslims marry non-Muslims? -- What does Islam have to say about domestic violence? -- How does Islam treat divorce? -- Why are Muslims reluctant to shake hands? -- How do Muslims feel about pets, or petting animals? -- What is Islam's attitude toward alcohol and pork? -- Why are Muslims against dancing? -- Why are some Muslims opposed to music? -- How do Muslims greet each other and why? -- Why do Muslims say "Peace be upon him"? What does PBUH mean? -- Violence and Terrorism -- What is jihad? -- Does the Quran condone terrorism? -- How can Islam be used to justify terrorism, hijackings, and hostage taking? -- Does Islam permit suicide bombers? -- Why are Muslims so violent? -- Do Muslims support extremist and terrorist groups? -- Do most Muslim organizations support terrorism? -- Do Muslims have a martyrdom complex? -- Why do they hate us? -- Why was Salman Rushdie condemned to death? -- Society, Politics, and Economy -- What is Islamic law? -- What does Islamic law say about marriage, divorce, and inheritance? -- What does Islam say about homosexuality? -- What does Islam say about abortion? -- What does Islam say about birth control? -- What does Islam say about slavery? -- Why are Islamic punishments for crimes so harsh?.

Why don't Muslims practice a separation of church and state? -- Why does religion play such a big role in Muslim politics? -- Why do Muslims reject secularism? -- Why is Jerusalem so important to Muslims? -- Is Islam compatible with democracy? -- Why aren't Muslim countries more democratic? -- Why does Islam reject capitalism? -- What does Islam have to say about poverty and social justice? -- Why does Islam prohibit the charging of interest? -- What is Islamic banking? -- Muslims in the West -- Who are the Muslims of America? -- What kinds of problems do Muslims face in America? -- Who and where are the Muslims of Europe? -- What are the issues that European Muslims face? -- Glossary -- Suggestions for Further Reading -- Index.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, there has been a demand for information about Islam and John Esposito has found himself called upon to speak to a wide range of audiences. Here he presents in question-and-answer format the information that most people want to know.

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Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2018. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.