Islam In Focus

Here is a popular book about Islam written by a Muslim.  Just browsing the Table of Contents below is educational.  Notice how little "theology" there is compared with "law."  In my understanding, Islam assumes people are good by nature, yet forgetful.  Therefore the goal of Islamic spirituality is to give humankind constant reminders of how to live a life acceptable to God.

You don't need to download the book from the link below- it is here.  (But if you do download it from the link below Dustin recommends software like Zipeg for the rar file.  I use WinRAR.)  Unfortunately the formatting of the PDF makes for a very difficult read.

Islam In Focus: "

Hammudah ‘Abd al ‘Ati Language: English Format: PDF Pages: 118 Size: 1.5 MB

Newest available publication of this now famous book, thoroughly updated and edited, approved for sale by the Abdulati family. Published by amana publications. This book is the most popular written document on Islam. With its living and resourceful style, the book addresses both the young educated and the adult intellectual in a scholarly yet fresh and simple mode of thinking and presentation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER – ONE

THE IDEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF ISLAM ………..4
Allah (God)…………..4
THE MEANING OF ISLAM ……………………8
THE FUNDAMENTAL ARTICLES OF FAITH IN ISLAM………11
REMARKS……………..19

CHAPTER – TWO

THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF ISLAM …………………..20
The Concept of Faith (Iman) ……………………20
THE CONCEPT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (BIRR)…………..22
THE CONCEPT OF PIETY (TAQWA) …………….22
THE CONCEPT OF PROPHETHOOD……………..23
THE CONCEPT OF LIFE ………………….24
THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION……………….25
THE CONCEPT OF SIN…………………….26
THE CONCEPT OF FREEDOM…………………..28
THE CONCEPT OF EQUALITY…………………….29
THE CONCEPT OF BROTHERHOOD…………30
THE CONCEPT OF PEACE…………………….30
THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY…………………..31
THE CONCEPT OF MORALITY………………..33
THE CONCEPT OF THE UNIVERSE …………….39

CHAPTER – THREE

THE APPLICATION OF FAITH……………43
THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER…………………..44
THE CONDITIONS OF PRAYER ………………45
THE KINDS OF PRAYER ……………………46
THE TIMES OF PRAYER ……………………46
THE PARTIAL ABLUTION (WUDU’) ……………47
NULLIFICATION OF THE ABLUTION ………48
COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FOR THE ABLUTION (TAYAMMUM)……48
SPECIAL FACILITIES IN ABLUTION …………….49
THE COMPLETE ABLUTION (GHUSL/BATH) ……..49
THE PRAYER CALL (ADHAN) ………..49
ENTRANCE INTO PRAYER (IQAMAH)………………50
THE PERFORMANCE OF PRAYER …………..50
THE EARLY MORNING PRAYER (SALATU-L-FAJR) ………….50
THE NOON PRAYER (SALATU-Z-ZUHR) ……………52
THE MID-AFTERNOON PRAYER (SALATU-L-’ASR)…………52
THE SUNSET PRAYER ( SALATU-L-MAGHRIB) ……………52
THE EVENING PRAYER (SALATU-L-‘ISHA’) ……..52
THE CONGREGATIONAL (JAMA’AH) PRAYERS……..54
THE FRIDAY PRAYER (SALATU-L-JUMU’AH) …….55
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FRIDAY PRAYER………55
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ‘EED PRAYERS …………56
THE PERFORMANCE OF ‘EED PRAYERS (SALATU-L-‘EED) …….58
SHORTENING OF THE PRAYER ………………………60
TIMES WHEN PRAYER IS FORBIDDEN…….60
MAKING UP FOR DELAYED PRAYERS ………….60
THE TARAWEEH PRAYERS …………..60
INVALIDATION OF PRAYERS………..61
THE FUNERAL PRAYERS (SALATU-L-JANAZAH) …………61
GENERAL REMARKS ON PRAYER …………..63
The Fatihah (The Opening or Al-Hamd)……… 64
THE FIRST PART……………………64
THE SECOND PART ………………65
SHORT PASSAGES OF THE QUR’ AN ………….65
THE FASTING (SAWM) ………………66
FASTING IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE ……..68
THE PERIOD OF FASTING………………69
WHO MUST FAST? ……………….70
EXEMPTION FROM FASTING…………..70
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS …….71
THE ALMS (ZAKAH)………..72
THE RATE OF ZAKAH………..73
THE DUE RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAH ……….74
THE PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)………………..75
CONCLUDING REMARKS ABOUT THE HAJJ …….77
FINAL REMARKS CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF FAITH………..78

CHAPTER – FOUR
THE APPLICATION OF ISLAM TO DAILY LIFE ……….79
THE SPIRITUAL LIFE ……………………79
THE INTELLECTUAL LIFE …………………79
THE EXTERNAL NATURE…………….81
THE PERSONAL LIFE ……………………81
Purity and Cleanliness ……………81
Diet……………….81
Clothing and Adornment ……………..82
Sports and Amusements…………. 83
THE FAMILY LIFE ……………………..84
The Meaning of Marriage ……………….85
THE PERMANENCE OF MARRIAGE……………..86
THE HUSBAND – WIFE RELATIONSHIP………..87
THE WIFE’ S RIGHTS: THE HUSBAND’ S OBLIGATIONS ……87
COMPONENTS OF MAINTENANCE………..87
NON-MATERIAL RIGHTS………88
THE WIFE’ S OBLIGATIONS: THE HUSBAND’ S RIGHTS …….88
THE CHILD’ S RIGHTS : THE PARENTS DUTIES …………88
THE CHILD’ S RIGHTS : THE PARENTS DUTIES …………89
THE CHILD’ S DUTIES: THE PARENTS RIGHTS ……….90
OTHER ASPECTS OF THE FAMILY LIFE ………….91
THE SOCIAL LIFE ……………….92
THE ECONOMIC LIFE…………………95
THE POLITICAL LIFE ………..98
THE INTERNATIONAL LIFE………………..104

CHAPTER – FIVE

DISTORTIONS ABOUT ISLAM ………..107
THE HOLY WAR ( JIHAD ) ……………107
JESUS, SON OF MARY ………………..117
POLYGAMY (PLURALITY OF WIVES) ….125
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE……….137
THE STATUS OF WOMAN IN ISLAM ……….141

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