Random House New Releases - Religion - Islam - History

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an by Denise A. Spellberg

2013-10-01T00:30:00-05:00

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an Islam and the Founders
Written by Denise A. Spellberg

Hardcover, 384 pages | Knopf | History - United States; Political Science - Civil Rights; Religion - Islam - History | $27.95 | 978-0-307-26822-8 (0-307-26822-5)

A fascinating new understanding of the birth of American religious freedom and of how Islam shaped the thinking of the Founding Fathers.

In 1765, eleven years before composing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson bought a Qur'an. His interest in Islam did not belie his personal disdain for the faith, a sentiment then rampant among his Protestant contemporaries. But unlike most of them, by 1776 Jefferson could imagine Muslims as future citizens of his new country. In this original and illuminating book, Denise A. Spellberg reveals a little known but crucial dimension of the birth of American religious freedom, a drama in which Islam played a surprising role. She recounts how a handful of the Founders, Jefferson foremost, drew upon Enlightenment ideas about the toleration of Muslims--then deemed the ultimate outsiders in Western society--to fashion from what had been a purely speculative debate a practical foundation for governance in America. In this way, Muslims, who were not even known to exist in the colonies, became the imaginary outer limit for an unprecedented, uniquely American religious pluralism that would also encompass the actual despised minorities of Jews and Catholics. The rancorous public dispute concerning the inclusion of Muslims, for which principle Jefferson's political foes would vilify him to the end of his life, thus became decisive in the Founders' ultimate judgment not to establish a Protestant nation, as they might well have done. Their radical ideal is being tested to this day, as popular suspicions about Islam persist and Muslim citizens number in the millions.

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an by Denise A. Spellberg

2013-10-01T00:30:00-05:00

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an Islam and the Founders
Written by Denise A. Spellberg

eBook, 384 pages | Knopf | History - United States; Political Science - Civil Rights; Religion - Islam - History | $13.99 | 978-0-385-35053-2 (0-385-35053-8)

The Faithful Scribe by Shahan Mufti

2013-09-24T00:30:00-05:00

The Faithful Scribe A Story of Islam, Pakistan, Family, and War
Written by Shahan Mufti

Hardcover, 352 pages | Other Press | History - Middle East; Social Science - Islamic Studies; Religion - Islam - History | $26.95 | 978-1-59051-505-1 (1-59051-505-6)

A journalist explores his family’s history to reveal the hybrid cultural and political landscape of Pakistan, the world’s first Islamic democracy

Shahan Mufti’s family history, which he can trace back fourteen hundred years to the inner circle of the prophet Muhammad, offers an enlightened perspective on the mystifying history of Pakistan. Mufti uses the stories of his ancestors, many of whom served as judges and jurists in Muslim sharia courts of South Asia for many centuries, to reveal the deepest roots—real and imagined—of Islamic civilization in Pakistan.

More than a personal history, The Faithful Scribe captures the larger story of the world’s first Islamic democracy, and explains how the state that once promised to bridge Islam and the West is now threatening to crumble under historical and political pressure, and why Pakistan’s destiny matters to us all.

The Faithful Scribe by Shahan Mufti

2013-09-24T00:30:00-05:00

The Faithful Scribe A Story of Islam, Pakitan, Family, and War
Written by Shahan Mufti

eBook, 352 pages | Other Press | History - Middle East; Social Science - Islamic Studies; Religion - Islam - History | $20.99 | 978-1-59051-506-8 (1-59051-506-4)

In the Shadow of the Sword by Tom Holland

2013-02-12T00:30:00-05:00

In the Shadow of the Sword The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire
Written by Tom Holland

Trade Paperback, 560 pages | Anchor | History - Middle East; Religion - Islam - History | $16.00 | 978-0-307-47365-3 (0-307-47365-1)

A thrillingly panoramic and incredibly timely account of the rise of Islam, from the acclaimed author of Rubicon and Persian Fire.

The evolution of the Arab empire is one of the supreme narratives of ancient history, a story dazzlingly rich in drama, character, and achievement. In this exciting and sweeping history—the third in his trilogy of books on the ancient world—Holland describes how the Arabs emerged to carve out a stupefyingly vast dominion in a matter of decades, overcoming seemingly insuperable odds to create an imperial civilization aspects of which endure to the present day. With profound bearing on the most consequential events of our time, Holland ties the exciting story of Islam’s ascent to the crises and controversies of the present.

In the Shadow of the Sword by Tom Holland

2012-05-15T00:30:00-05:00

In the Shadow of the Sword The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire
Written by Tom Holland

eBook, 448 pages | Anchor | History - Middle East; Religion - Islam - History; Social Science - Islamic Studies | $11.99 | 978-0-385-53136-8 (0-385-53136-2)

The acclaimed author of Rubicon and other superb works of popular history now produces a thrillingly panoramic (and incredibly timely) account of the rise of Islam.

No less significant than the collapse of the Roman Republic or the Persian invasion of Greece, the evolution of the Arab empire is one of the supreme narratives of ancient history, a story dazzlingly rich in drama, character, and achievement. Just like the Romans, the Arabs came from nowhere to carve out a stupefyingly vast dominion—except that they achieved their conquests not over the course of centuries as the Romans did but in a matter of decades. Just like the Greeks during the Persian wars, they overcame seemingly insuperable odds to emerge triumphant against the greatest empire of the day—not by standing on the defensive, however, but by hurling themselves against all who lay in their path.

No god but God (Updated Edition) by Reza Aslan

2011-08-30T00:30:00-05:00

No god but God (Updated Edition) The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
Written by Reza Aslan

Trade Paperback, 384 pages | Random House Trade Paperbacks | Religion - Islam; Religion - Islam - History; Religion - History | $17.00 | 978-0-8129-8244-2 (0-8129-8244-4)

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
A finalist for the Guardian First Book Award

In No god but God, internationally acclaimed scholar Reza Aslan explains Islam—the origins and evolution of the faith—in all its beauty and complexity. This updated edition addresses the events of the past decade, analyzing how they have influenced Islam’s position in modern culture. Aslan explores what the popular demonstrations pushing for democracy in the Middle East mean for the future of Islam in the region, how the Internet and social media have affected Islam’s evolution, and how the war on terror has altered the geopolitical balance of power in the Middle East. He also provides an update on the contemporary Muslim women’s movement, a discussion of the controversy over veiling in Europe, an in-depth history of Jihadism, and a look at how Muslims living in North America and Europe are changing the face of Islam. Timely and persuasive, No god but God is an elegantly written account that explains this magnificent yet misunderstood faith.

No god but God (Updated Edition) by Reza Aslan

2011-08-30T00:30:00-05:00

No god but God (Updated Edition) The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
Written by Reza Aslan

eBook, 384 pages | Random House Trade Paperbacks | Religion - Islam; Religion - Islam - History; Religion - History | $11.99 | 978-0-679-64377-7 (0-679-64377-X)

From the Trade Paperback edition.

After the Prophet by Lesley Hazleton

2010-09-07T00:30:00-05:00

After the Prophet The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam
Written by Lesley Hazleton

Trade Paperback, 256 pages | Anchor | History - Middle East; Religion - Islam - History | $16.00 | 978-0-385-52394-3 (0-385-52394-7)

In this gripping narrative history, Lesley Hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the Sunni and Shia branches of Islam, a rift that dominates the news now more than ever.

Even as Muhammad lay dying, the battle over who would take control of the new Islamic nation had begun, beginning a succession crisis marked by power grabs, assassination, political intrigue, and passionate faith. Soon Islam was embroiled in civil war, pitting its founder's controversial wife Aisha against his son-in-law Ali, and shattering Muhammad’s ideal of unity.

Combining meticulous research with compelling storytelling, After the Prophet explores the volatile intersection of religion and politics, psychology and culture, and history and current events. It is an indispensable guide to the depth and power of the Shia–Sunni split.

The Hidden Origins of Islam by Karl-Heinz Phlig

2009-07-30T00:30:00-05:00

The Hidden Origins of Islam New Research into Its Early History
Edited by Karl-Heinz Phlig

Hardcover, 405 pages | Prometheus Books | Religion - Islam - History; Religion - Islam | $32.99 | 978-1-59102-634-1 (1-59102-634-2)

Despite Muhammad's exalted place in Islam, even today there is still surpisingly little actually known about this shadowy figure and the origins of the Qur'an because of an astounding lack of verifiable biographical material. Furthermore, most of the existing biographical traditions that can be used to substantiate the life of Muhammad date to nearly two centuries after his death, a time when a powerful, expansive, and idealized empire had become synonymous with his name and vision - thus resulting in an exaggerated and often artificial characterization of the prophetic figure coupled with many questionable interpretations of the holy book of Islam.

On the basis of datable and localizable artifacts from the seventh and eighth centuries of the Christian era, many of the historical developments, misconceptions, and fallacies of Islam can now be seen in a different light. Excavated coins that predate Islam and the old inscription in the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem utilize symbols used in a documented Syrian Arabic theology - a theology with Christian roots.

Interpreting traditional contexts of historical evidence and rereading passages of the Qur'an, the researchers in this thought-provoking volume unveil a surprising - and highly unconventional - picture of the very foundations of Islamic religious history.

No god but God by Shishir Kurup

2009-03-24T00:30:00-05:00

No god but God The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
Written by Reza Aslan
Read by Shishir Kurup

Unabridged Audiobook Download | Random House Audio | Religion - Islam; Religion - Islam - History; Religion - History | $25.00 | 978-0-7393-8332-2 (0-7393-8332-9)

Though it is the fastest growing religion in the world, Islam remains shrouded by ignorance and fear. What is the essence of this ancient faith? Is it a religion of peace or war? How does Allah differ from the God of Jews and Christians? Can an Islamic state be founded on democratic values such as pluralism and human rights? A writer and scholar of comparative religions, Reza Aslan has earned international acclaim for the passion and clarity he has brought to these questions. In No god but God, challenging the “clash of civilizations” mentality that has distorted our view of Islam, Aslan explains this critical faith in all its complexity, beauty, and compassion.

Contrary to popular perception in the West, Islam is a religion firmly rooted in the prophetic traditions of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Aslan begins with a vivid account of the social and religious milieu in which the Prophet Muhammad lilved. The revelations that Muhammad received in Mecca and Medina, which were recorded in the Quran, became the foundation for a radically more egalitarian community, the likes of which had never been seen before.

Soon after his death, the Prophet’s successors set about the overwhelming task of defining and interpreting Muhammad’s message for future generations. Their efforts led to the development of a comprehensive code of conduct that was expected to regulate every aspect of the believer’s life. But this attempt only widened the chasm between orthodox Islam and its two major sects, Shiism and Sufism, both of which Aslan discusses in rich detail.

Finally, No god but God examines how, in the shadow of European colonialism, Muslims developed conflicting strategies to reconcile traditional Islamic values with the social and political realities of the modern world. With the emergence of the Islamic state in the twentieth century, this contest over the future of Islam has become a passionate, sometimes violent battle between those who seek to enforce a rigid and archaic legal code and those who struggle to harmonize the teachings of the Prophet with contemporary ideals of democracy and human rights. According to Reza Aslan, we are now living in the era of “the Islamic Reformation.” No god but God is a persuasive and elegantly written account of the roots of this reformation and the future of Islamic faith.

Random House New Releases - Religion - Islam - History

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an by Denise A. Spellberg

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an Islam and the FoundersWritten by Denise A. Spellberg

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an by Denise A. Spellberg

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an Islam and the FoundersWritten by Denise A. Spellberg

The Faithful Scribe by Shahan Mufti

The Faithful Scribe A Story of Islam, Pakistan, Family, and WarWritten by Shahan Mufti

The Faithful Scribe by Shahan Mufti

The Faithful Scribe A Story of Islam, Pakitan, Family, and WarWritten by Shahan Mufti

In the Shadow of the Sword by Tom Holland

In the Shadow of the Sword The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab EmpireWritten by Tom Holland

In the Shadow of the Sword by Tom Holland

In the Shadow of the Sword The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab EmpireWritten by Tom Holland

No god but God (Updated Edition) by Reza Aslan

No god but God (Updated Edition) The Origins, Evolution, and Future of IslamWritten by Reza Aslan

No god but God (Updated Edition) by Reza Aslan

No god but God (Updated Edition) The Origins, Evolution, and Future of IslamWritten by Reza Aslan

After the Prophet by Lesley Hazleton

After the Prophet The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in IslamWritten by Lesley Hazleton

The Hidden Origins of Islam by Karl-Heinz Phlig

The Hidden Origins of Islam New Research into Its Early HistoryEdited by Karl-Heinz Phlig

No god but God by Shishir Kurup

No god but God The Origins, Evolution, and Future of IslamWritten by Reza Aslan Read by Shishir Kurup

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an Islam and the Founders
Written by Denise A. Spellberg

Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an Islam and the Founders
Written by Denise A. Spellberg

The Faithful Scribe A Story of Islam, Pakistan, Family, and War
Written by Shahan Mufti

The Faithful Scribe A Story of Islam, Pakitan, Family, and War
Written by Shahan Mufti

In the Shadow of the Sword The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire
Written by Tom Holland

In the Shadow of the Sword The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire
Written by Tom Holland

No god but God (Updated Edition) The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
Written by Reza Aslan

No god but God (Updated Edition) The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
Written by Reza Aslan

After the Prophet The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam
Written by Lesley Hazleton

The Hidden Origins of Islam New Research into Its Early History
Edited by Karl-Heinz Phlig

No god but God The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
Written by Reza Aslan
Read by Shishir Kurup