Review: A Concise Guide to Islam

A Concise Guide to Islam: Defining Key Concepts and Terms

By Ayman S. Ibrahim (Baker Academic)

Words matter. When we assign meaning to words contrary to what speakers intend them to mean, it leads to misunderstanding.

Ayman S. Ibrahim, a professor of Islamic studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, believes Christians need to know the definitions of basic Islamic terms as they are understood by their Muslim neighbors. For example, Arabic-speaking Muslims, Jews and Christians all refer to the deity they worship as “Allah,” but they describe his nature and characteristics quite differently, he noted.

This concise-but-thorough book provides definitions of more than 100 words and phrases related to Islamic texts, history, belief, practices, jurisprudence and sectarian movements. The author handles both primary sources and secondary sources responsibly.

Ibrahim treats his subject with respect, while not downplaying the key differences between Islam and other faiths—or the differences between different branches of Islam. He helpfully differentiates between cultural (nominal) Muslims, practicing (devout) Muslims and radical (political) Muslims.

As Ibrahim explores the origins of Islam, he honestly acknowledges ways in which Islam appropriated aspects of pre-Islamic Arab folk religion, along with altered versions of stories from Jewish and Christian Scriptures. He does not shy away from documenting the violence and intrigue that accompanied some of the historical sectarian differences within Islam, but he avoids painting all Muslims with a broad brush.

A Concise Guide to Islam is a worthy companion to Ibrahim’s earlier books, A Concise Guide to the Quran and A Concise Guide to the Life of Muhammad. Taken together, they offer Christians a solid foundation for understanding Muslims’ beliefs.

Ken Camp, managing editor

Baptist Standard