Islam is the religion of Allah, the Muslim name for the Judeo-Christian god, and Muhammad, considered the last of the prophets of Allah. The youngest of the main Abrahamic religions, Islam’s history is rich and fascinating, and Islam’s beliefs are unique and nuanced. Spread out over every continent, the Islam of today is as varied and complex as it has ever been. The sites in this section help you sort out what Islam is, and what it isn’t.
Dulcinea’s Insight
- When discussing religion, especially one surrounded by so much controversy these days, it’s important to know who’s doing the talking. Some sites in this guide are from Islamic religious organizations. Others are personal sites, many from converts to Islam who are in the unique position of understanding both sides of a sometimes deep cultural divide.
- Many of the Muslim history and belief sites below are evangelical, and should not be thought of as objective or balanced. Despite this, they contain a wealth of information and approach the teaching of the religion with openness and hospitality.
- The holy language of Islam is classical Arabic, whose nuances and beauty are intricately tied to the holy text of the Quran. For insight into this language, or if you’re brave enough to attempt to learn it, check out the sites below designed to aid in your language discovery.
- It’s no secret that Islam, like religion in general, occupies a controversial space in international affairs and discourse, leading to a great amount of criticism of the religion. In response to some of these critics, a number of sites exist to combat perceived stereotypes or misconceptions of Islam, such as its connections with sexism, violence, and terrorism. Though the tone might seem defensive and heated, a great deal of insight into the nature of this religion can be found on these sites. Some of the best are included here.
- To learn about the Muslim way of prayer and other religious practices, read the “Practicing Islam” section of this guide.
