Books on Islam (ritual, mysticism, purification, hell, prophet)

[Cordoba]

Greetings and Salams to All:

If you are new to Islam, or if you want to learn more about Islam, the following three introductory on-line books are good sources:

1- Islam Guide (basic summary):
A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam

http://www.islam-guide.com/

2- Islam in Focus (more details):
A General Overview of the Teachings and Pillars of Islam (PDF)

http://www.sultan.org/books/islam-in-focus.pdf

3- The Sealed Nectar (in-depth)
The Life of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him

http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/SM_tsn/index.htm

More on-line books to be added in due course for those interested

All the best

[stephenw]

I'm interested in reading about liberal Islamic thought and the history of liberal thought in Islam. I'm also interested in finding out about Sufi thought. Could you point me to any on-line books or recommendations that I could get from Amazon?
Regards
SW

[Cordoba]

Hello Stephen

One of the best English-speaking scholars and writers today from the US who deals with Islamic topics from a Sufi perspective is Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, the co-founder and Director of the Zaytuna Institute in California http://zaytuna.org/

One of his recent books is titled (Purification of the Heat)

Amazon.co.uk: Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart: Hamza Yusuf: Books

There is also a special thread on his other books, talks and articles:

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf: NY Times Article

[Cordoba]

Even Angels Ask

by Dr. Jeffrey Lang

Lang, a mathematics professor at the University of Kansas and a twenty-year veteran of Islam, addresses an array of difficult and frequently controversial issues ranging from predestination to other common philosophical holdups faced by skeptical Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

At times, the author approaches the Islamic spiritual quest with an aloof logic quintessential of a math teacher, nonetheless, the numerous personal narratives interspersed throughout the text, coupled with a fresh attitude toward familiar Qur’anic verses, are enough to bring even the most hard-hearted of readers to tears on several occasions.

Even Angels Ask marks Lang’s second foray into contemporary writing about Islam; his first book, Struggling to Surrender, was an account of his personal journey to Islam.

http://www.islamonline.net/english/Contemporary/2003/05/Article02.shtml

[Cordoba]

The Bible, The Qur'an and Science

by Dr. Maurice Bucaille (France)

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES EXAMINED IN THE LIGHT
OF MODERN KNOWLEDGE

The Bible, The Qur'an and Science

[Cordoba]

Muhammad's Prophethood: An Analytical View

An On-Line Book by Dr. Jamal Badawi (Canada)

http://www.ymsite.com/books/prophethoodanalytical/mproph.htm

[Cordoba]

Islam and the Destiny of Man

by Charles Le Gai Eaton

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

PART I An Approach to the Faith

Chapter 1 Islam and Europe

Chapter 2 Continuity and Contrast

Chapter 3 Truth and Mercy

PART II The Making of the Faith

Chapter 4 the World of the Book

Chapter 5 the Messenger of God

Chapter 6 the City of the Prophet

Chapter 7 the Successors

PART III The Fruits of the Faith

Chapter 9 the Rule of Law

Chapter 10 the Human Paradox

Chapter 11 Art, Environment and Mysticism

Chapter 12 Other Dimensions

http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=23211610

[Cordoba]

This is another good reference which may be of interest :

USUL AL FIQH AL ISLAMI
SOURCE METHODOLOGY IN ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE:

Methodology for Research and Knowledge

Taha Jabir Al 'Alwani

English Edition by

Yusuf Talal DeLorenzo
A. S. Al Shaikh-Ali

The International Institute of Islamic Thought
Herndon, Virginia US