Following Muhammad

Avoiding the traps of sensational political exposes and specialized scholarly Orientalism, Carl Ernst introduces readers to the profound spiritual resources of Islam while clarifying diversity and debate within the tradition. Framing his argument in terms of religious studies, Ernst describes how Protestant definitions of religion and anti-Muslim prejudice have affected views of Islam in Europe and America. He also covers the contemporary importance of Islam in both its traditional settings and its new locations and provides a context for understanding extremist movements like fundamentalism. He concludes with an overview of critical debates on important contemporary issues such as gender and veiling, state politics, and science and religion.

Why can't the devil be extinct? What sets God uniquely apart from any other being? Why only God could have saved human beings from their sinful state and desperate fate? What is the one talent that every human being possesses? What are the remaining climactic events to occur before the end of the age? How far are we from the end of the age? How can we live successful lives in these last and stressful days? How can we prepare for the end of the world? Please join Marc Kamsu on a revolutionary journey to explore and answer the latter questions in light of the Word of the one who knows everything. Also, in this well-planned journey, Marc strategically focuses on one feature of the Holy Bible which makes it unique: that is, prophecy. Finally, Marc convincingly shows how many of the events in history, including the contemporary ones such as the current Arab-Israeli conflict, the growing worldwide anti-Semitism, the ongoing rise of Islam, and the persecution of Christians, were clearly predicted for our benefit.

Traces the history of Islam back from the twentieth century to its origins, discussing the faith-based "Believers' movement" started by the prophet Muhammad, and explaining how this led to the separation of Muslims from Christians and Jews as monotheists.

"Originally published by the University of North Carolina Press under the title Following Muhammad."--T.p. verso.

This work attempts to recapture the fluid relationship between ethics and such institutions as faith, politics and literary art not seen, according to the author, since the time of Muhammad. By exploring the narrative that Muhammad employs in the Qur'an, the author works to reestablish the spiritually and politically desiccated relationship and prove that if today's Arab-Muslims still deem him the ethico-political and religio-artistic model to emulate, as he has been in the past, it is because he relates art to life.

Muhammad was a religious visionary and political leader. Raised in the harsh Arabian Peninsula and orphaned while still a child, this unlikely leader and military genius received a calling to transform his society from a collection of raiding tribes into one of the world's most progressive societies. His message of monotheism and righetousness motivated an entire people to abandon idolatry and spread the word of God to surrounding nations. Although he was a military genius, his greatest accomplishments came from the religion he preached: Islam, which called its adherents to lead a life of prayer, charity, and contemplation. The second largest religion in the world, both Islam's prophet and its values are today often misunderstood by adherents and outsiders alike. This concise, informative biography explores Muhammad's background and boyhood; as well as the culture and society in which he lived. A look at Muhammad as a family man, and how his personal life was a testament to his high regard for women.