Unfolding Islam

This book sets out to present Islam to non-Muslim readers, and to describe for the general reader - whether Muslim or not - how Islam has unfolded over the course of time, and how it continues to do so.Set against the background of Afro-Eurasian ecology and history, the book centres on the Koran and the life of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, showing how later developments are rooted there, right down to the question of contemporary relevance such as the difference between Sunni Muslims and Shiites, Sufis and literalists, reformists and 'fundamentalists'.Though the book is written with the non-specialist in mind, specialists will find new contributions to such topics as the first writing down of the Koran, holy war and Islamic demography.Seen as a whole, the story of the unfolding of Islam shows how it has achieved its special balance of constancy and flexibility. The controlling position of the Prophet, the unique authority of the Koran and the strength of the Muslim family give the religion its enduring central core.