The foremost U.S. authority on Islam and; Seyyed Hossein Nasr discusses today’s hot button issues—including holy wars; women’s rights; the rise of Islamic fundamentalism; and the future of Moslems in the Middle East—in this groundbreaking discussion of the fastest-growing religion in the world. One of the great scholars in the modern Islamic intellectual tradition; and the acclaimed author of books such as The Garden of Truth and The Heart of Islam; Nasr brings incomparable insight to this exploration of Muslim issues and realities; delivering a landmark publication promoting cross-cultural awareness and world peace.
#931768 in Books 2012-01-24 2012-01-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.24 x 6.00l; 1.15 #File Name: 006190581X496 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Need to understand!By mutsayJust getting into it; but I think I am going to benefit from it...THANK YOU0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Khansgood5 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Nostalgic look at past Islamic cultureBy William Garrison Jr."Islam in the Modern World" by Seyyed Hossein Nasr (first ed. c. 1990; but extensively revised; updated with new chapters: hardback 2010); 472 pgs. Nasr is known for writing books contending that Islam is a moderate; peaceful religion. Does this mean we need to ignore what he has to say? Perhaps there is some knowledge; if not just `factoids' to be learned from him. What strove Nasr to update this book was due to: "Only during the past few decades has a new phenomenon appeared that necessitates distinguishing rigorously between traditional Islam and not only modernism; but also that spectrum of feeling... that has come to be identified... as `fundamentalist'; revivalist; or `activist' Islam." Nasr contends that the 1990s-2000s-era `revivalist' (jihadist) groups "that speak of reviving Islam in opposition to modernism and Western civilization" (p. 2) misunderstand non-violent Islam. However; Nasr doesn't go into any depth in detailing the militant activities of any particular `terrorist' jihadist group (i.e.; al-Qaeda). Despite his opposition to jihadism; Nasr doesn't go into detail in stating what he has against militant jihadism besides its violence (not all Muslims have to be violence-prone). This book provides a generic background history of Muslims and the Islamic religion. The author discusses the differences in Islamic theology; science and spirituality (Sufism). Nasr is fond of the past `achievements' of Islamic architecture and science; but acknowledges that the West overtook Islamic in science and economic achievements starting in the 17th century. The are several appendices in which Nasr lists `milestone' books written by medieval Muslims regarding architecture; philosophy; science; theology; etc. Nasr contends that while the West thinks it has overtaken Muslims in industrial and intellectual development; Nasr argues that rather than compete against the modern world the Muslim world decided to `lay back' as its "Islamic science [theology] possesses a [religious] message that is of more than historical interest" (p. 147). Essentially; Nasr argues that the spiritual message of Islam is more important than the material wealth achieved by the West; a thought that is reflected in his book's subtitle: "Challenged by the West; threatened by Fundamentalism; keeping faith with Tradition". Nasr is fond of Islam's past educational "achievements"; but he doesn't dwell on examining why there are so few current Islamic Nobel Prize winners. Nasr looks at Islam as it developed in the 10-11-12th centuries for guidance as to how Islam is going to enhance the lifestyles of Muslims in the 21st Century; but he doesn't really present convincing arguments. Nostalgia has its place; but really; a chapter on: "Islamic Art and its Spiritual Significance in the Contemporary World"? So why read this book given the vast ocean of similar `mild' works? Personally; I found this book of good value due to the many unfamiliar Arabic terms used to identify various Islamic concepts.
