The terrorist attacks on America have prompted worldwide focus on the religion of Islam.  In the past Americans knew very little about Islam or had misconceptions about it.  The events of September 11 have resulted in a positive shift in the knowledge Americans have about Islam and its followers, the Muslims.  Many people are now seeking out accurate information to form a better understanding of the religion.  

Although the majority of Muslims live in South and Southeast Asia, one fourth live in the Middle East, and it is a growing religion in Europe, over one million live in the United States, with 1.1 billion worldwide.*  Americans are very likely to come in contact with Muslims in their every day lives.  This has also been a motivating factor behind the rise of people wanting to find out more about what Islam is and is not.

According to the World Book Encyclopedia and the Encyclopedia Americana, Islam is a religion based on laws, the Sharia, which prescribe the best way to live for God.  The Quran, the sacred book of Islam, is the supreme guiding authority.  The other source of laws is the Sunna, or Tradition of the Prophet.  The laws cover behavior, duties, and values in relation to personal conduct, dress, and manners, as well as every other aspect of political, social, and private life.  There are required, recommended, neutral, disapproved, and forbidden actions.  The required duties regarding worship are called the Five Pillars.  They are: 1) Shahada or reciting a short creed that bears witness that there is no God, but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, 2) Salat or praying five times daily, 3) Zakat or almsgiving to help the poor, 4) Siyam or fasting during the month of Ramadan, and 5) Hajj or making a pilgrimage to Mecca.  Values like hard work, honor, courage, kindness, respect for parents, and cleanliness are emphasized.  Gambling, drinking alcohol, eating pork, and adultery are forbidden, as well as actual crimes like murder, and theft.  Punishments are harsh, but mercy is also practiced.

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BP 75 .A76 1993

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BP 161.2 .B33 1988 Oversize

Davidson, Lawrence Islamic fundamentalism, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998 
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El-Amin, Mustafa, The religion of Islam and the Nation of Islam: what is the difference? Newark, NJ: El-Amin Productions, 1991 
BP 170. E52 1991

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BP 60. E84

Esposito, John, ed., The Oxford history of Islam, New York: Oxford University Press, 1999 
BP 50 .O95 1999

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BP 161.2 .F3 1994

Glasse, Cyril, The new encyclopedia of Islam, Rev. ed., Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press, 2001 
Ref BP 40. G42 2001

Gumley, Frances, The pillars of Islam: an introduction to the Islamic faith London: BBC Books, 1990 
BP 161.2 .G85

Huband, Mark, Warriors of the prophet: the struggle for Islam, Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1998
BP 60 .H8 1998

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BP 163 .L34 2000

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BP 52 .L46 1993

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BP 161.2 .R46

Renard, John, ed., Windows on the house of Islam: Muslim sources on spirituality and religious life, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1998 
BP 161.2 .W57 1998

Rippin, Andrew, Muslims: their religious beliefs and practices, London; New York: Routledge, 1990-1993 
BP 161.2 .R53

Sabini, John, Islam, a primer, Rev. ed., Washington, DC: Middle East Editorial Associates, 1990 
BP 161.2 .S18 1990

Smith, Jane, Islam in America, New York: Columbia University Press, 1999 
BP 67 .U6 S6 1999

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BP 55 .S68 1999

Turner, Richard, Islam in the African-American experience, Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997 
BP 67 .U6 T87 1997

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BP 161.2 .Z46 2000

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