Hesham Hassaballa, a columnist for Beliefnet.com and cofounder of the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic relations, brings a balanced eye to a subject that has long puzzled, intrigued, and perhaps even frightened many Westerners. The Beliefnet Guide to Islam takes readers into the heart of a religion practiced by 1.3 billion people around the world, describing its origins, its links to Judaism and Christianity, and its place and practices in the modern world. In clear, unbiased language, Hassaballa outlines the core beliefs that shape the daily lives of practicing Muslims: faith, prayer, charity, fasting and self-purification (during the period of Ramadan), and the hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca). He clarifies the differences between the Sunni and Shia, the two main branches of Islam, shedding light on a topic that has garnered attention during the current crisis in Iraq and other parts of the Muslim world. Hassaballa also looks at the many misinterpretations of basic terms and beliefs that have had a serious impact on the relationship between Muslims and other religious groups, explaining such essentials as the meaning of jihad, Islamic teachings on the role of women in society, and much more. Providing important insights into the controversies surrounding Islam today, his approach skillfully demystifies these hot-button issues and places them within a broader religious and cultural context.
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