

Islamic History
A Very Short Introduction
Author: Adam J. Silverstein
Narrator: Neil Shah
Unabridged: 4 hr 31 min
Format: Digital Audiobook Download
Publisher: Tantor Media
Published: 09/19/2018
Categories: Nonfiction, Religion, Islam
Synopsis
Opening with a lucid overview of the rise and spread of Islam, from the seventh to twenty first century, the book charts the evolution of what was originally a small, localized community of believers into an international religion with over a billion adherents. Chapters are also dedicated to the peoples—Arabs, Persians, and Turks—who shaped Islamic history, and to three representative institutions—the mosque, jihad, and the caliphate—that highlight Islam's diversity over time.
Finally, the roles that Islamic history has played in both religious and political contexts are analysed, while stressing the unique status that history enjoys amongst Muslims, especially compared to its lowly place in Western societies where history is often seen as little more than something that is not to be repeated.
Some of the questions that will be answered are:
● How did Islam arise from the obscurity of seventh century Arabia to the headlines of twenty first century media?
● How do we know what we claim to know about Islam's rise and development?
● Why does any of this matter, either to Muslims or to non-Muslims?