A Muslim Primer: A Beginner's Guide to Islam

By Ira G. Zepp and Ira G. Zepp Jr.

Book Overview

A Muslim Primer covers the basic beliefs of Islam and provides an informative source for both lay and professional readers. First published in 1992, it has proven to be a valuable handbook for all... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557285950
• ISBN13: 9781557285959
• Release Date: July 2000
• Publisher: University of Arkansas Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Muslim Primer

Americans are woefully uniformed when it comes to understanding Islam. As one of those Americans I purchsed A Muslim Primer so that I would be better informed. I was not disappointed. The Primer has given me the understanding that I need. As an example, I know Americans believe women in the Islamic world are treated badly. Mohammad, the Islamic prophet, is quite clear in how women should be treated All human beings (male and female)are equal, equal as the teeth of a comb. There is no superiority of white over black nor of any male over any female. Only the God-consciousness (regardless of gender) merits favor and the ultimate rewards from God. We know in some Islamic countries that women are not treated as Mohammad prescibes. This is not because of Islam but because of the male-domination of those societies.

Readable and an authentic introduction

This is an excellent introduction to Islam, including brief historical and biographical information. The work includes some black and white photographs of the five times a day prayer, some US Muslim centers and of some major Islamic architecture. I appreciate both the scholarship and the author's readable style that makes the information accessible to the general reader. The author meets his stated goal of looking at Islam from within its own perspective, avoiding cultural cliches. The author, a Christian, used the most frequent questions from people attending his introductory course on Islam as an outline to guide the text.