📖 Overview
85 Questions about Islam directly addresses common queries and misconceptions about Islamic beliefs, practices, and culture. The book's format presents each question followed by a clear, evidence-based response drawing from Islamic texts and scholarship.
Professor Abdur Raheem Kidwai takes a systematic approach to addressing fundamental topics including the nature of Allah, Prophet Muhammad's life, the Quran's teachings, and Islamic views on contemporary issues. The responses incorporate historical context and cite specific references from Islamic sources to support each explanation.
The work moves through theological concepts, ritual practices, social norms, and modern challenges faced by Muslims worldwide. Questions range from basic inquiries about daily prayers to complex discussions of Islamic perspectives on science, gender roles, and interfaith relations.
This guide serves as both an introduction for non-Muslims seeking accurate information and a reference for Muslims exploring deeper understanding of their faith. The question-and-answer structure reflects ongoing dialogues between Islamic traditions and contemporary global society.
👀 Reviews
There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Abdur Raheem Kidwai's overall work:
Based on available academic reviews and reader feedback:
Readers value Kidwai's comprehensive analysis of Quran translations and his systematic evaluation methodology. Academic reviewers on research platforms highlight his detailed comparisons between different English renderings and clear explanations of translation challenges.
Strengths cited by readers:
- Clear presentation of complex translation issues
- Thorough documentation and references
- Balanced assessment of different translations
- Useful for both scholars and general readers studying Quranic texts
Common criticisms:
- Academic writing style can be dense
- Some sections repeat information across different works
- Limited availability of his books outside academic circles
Ratings data is limited since most of his work appears in academic publications. His "Bibliography of Quran Translations" received positive reviews in Islamic studies journals, though formal ratings are not available on major retail platforms. Academic citation indexes show his works are frequently referenced in translation studies and Islamic scholarship.
Note: Due to the specialized academic nature of his writing, broad public review data from sources like Goodreads is minimal.
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Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Cultures by Marshall Cavendish Corporation This reference work provides answers to common questions about Islamic faith, ritual practices, and cultural traditions through illustrated explanations.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔹 The author, Abdur Raheem Kidwai, is a Professor of English at Aligarh Muslim University, India, and has written extensively on Quranic studies and Islamic literature in both English and Urdu.
🔹 The book addresses common misconceptions about Islam through a Q&A format, making complex theological concepts accessible to readers from all backgrounds.
🔹 Many of the 85 questions were collected from actual inquiries made by non-Muslim students and colleagues during the author's academic career.
🔹 The text incorporates both classical Islamic scholarship and contemporary viewpoints, bridging traditional and modern interpretations of Islamic principles.
🔹 The book was published as part of a larger initiative to promote interfaith understanding and dialogue, particularly in academic settings where religious literacy is increasingly important.