Islam

The book under review includes nine chapters and an epilogue. The first chapter is a succinct introduction to the book. It discusses Islam through its various angles, emphasizing the variety and richness of contemporary understandings found among Muslims all over the world. It also focuses on the emergence and formulation of the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the canonical texts (mainly the Qur’an and Hadith), theology, normative rituals and practices, and other representations and forms in the context of changing living conditions through to the present times. In today’s world, states Raudvere, the varieties of being Muslim is striking, for the ‘shared cultural history and collective memories are today as complicated an issue as ever’ (p. 26). The second chapter explores the early history of Islam and the role of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a great personality that continues to shape Muslim thought and piety until today. The author highlights the historical milieu in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emerged, preaching and teaching the new revealed religion. This earned him, on the one hand, antagonism and hostility that often included physical persecution from his corrupted society. But, on the other hand, based on his uncompromising belief in monotheism and his piety and compassion, established an Ideal society in Madinah after his migration from Makkah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), writes Raudvere, ‘constituted the foundation for piety, ritual behavior and social conduct.... [his] words and deeds are the canonical basis for sharia’ (p. 58).