Islam in the Modern World

Islam in the Modern World is a wonderfully diverse introduction to Islam’s modern manifestations and contemporary concerns that spans the breadth of theology, scripture, ethics, technology, women’s rights, pedagogy and politics. One is really hard pressed to find a topic that is not at least touched upon in this collection of well-written essays. Sadly, however, it is the foundational pieces that are so marred by non-traditional understandings that the book could easily be re-titled ‘Academic Islam in the Modern World’, or worse, ‘So-and-so’s Islam in the Modern World’. The views expressed in the opening chapters are simply not what the overwhelming majority of Muslims uphold. In a logical fashion, the book begins with scripture in contemporary Islam. Scripture, of course, is the source of authority for every idea that anyone has ever come up with in the history of Islam, and so how scripture is understood – literally what it means – is of crucial importance to making your point. Historically, Muslims have argued much about the import of scripture; mainly its theological and legal significance, whilst having more uniform understanding of the moral principles drawn therefrom. Less frequently, it was scripture itself, rather than its meaning, that was questioned. Reports deemed authentic were simply not accepted. For obvious reasons, Muslim sects often found it easier to do away with scriptural statements that contradicted their beliefs than to deal with its meaning. This is why Muslim sects often had their own collections of approved ahadith and narrators.