I don't want to read a bunch of booga booga theo-con crap about the coming dhimmitude.
I want real information that actually explains the difference between Shia and Sunni, Sufi and Druze, etc.
2010-09-16T13:41:36Z
And don't recommend the Koran. I already have it.
2010-09-16T13:51:07Z
I don't want to become a Muslim. No worries there. I just want to know more about it from non-hyperbolic, non-hysterical sources. Which, unfortunately, has been the case with 99% of the "books" recommended so far.
I weep for us.
2010-09-16T13:58:26Z
Thanks Gary, a good point. I was aware of the translation doctrine and it is frustrating to my efforts.
?2010-09-16T13:43:54Z
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"Islam, A short history", by Karen Armstrong is a good place to start.
The difference between Shia and Sunnis is primarily an issue of succession after the death of Muhammad, the book will go into greater detail on this topic.
the Quran is the ONLY source of correct teaching about Islam. ALL other books are written by "mere" men, and are therefore NOT guaranteed to contain Truth. Truth can be derived ONLY through Allah Himself.
You will ALSO need a copy of The Hadith, the "ceremonial practices" of Islam. These are sayings and actions of Muhammad, testified to by at least two, mostly three, witnesses. In these you will learn how Muhammad himself acted and lived out Islam.
The Hadith explains the practices of Islam, like using ONLY the left hand to clean ones self after a bowel movement, and how to use ONLY the right hand offered in friendship. You will learn how to pray properly, and how to properly approach you wife for sexual relations.
be SURE that you get both The Noble Quran and The Hadith written in Arabic! The Truth of Islam does not translate well into other languages, and thus translations are tolerated, but DO NOT contain the full Beauty and Truth of the Arabic Language.