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US edition: “No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and future of Islam.” Author: Reza Aslan

Although it is the fastest growing religion in the world, Islam remains shrouded by ignorance and fear. What is the essence of this ancient faith? Is it a religion of peace or war? How different from Allah is not the God of Jews and Christians? Can an Islamic state, based on democratic values such as pluralism and human rights? A writer and scholar of comparative religions, Reza Aslan has gained international recognition for the passion and clarity he has on these issues.

No god but God, Aslan challenges of the “clash of civilizations” mentality, which distorts the view of Islam and said that this critical faith in all its complexity, beauty, and compassion. Contrary to the widespread view of Islam is a religion firmly rooted in the prophetic tradition of the Jewish and Christian scriptures.

Aslan begins with a lively consideration of the social and religious milieu from which the Prophet Mohammed arose. The signs that Mohammed, in Mecca and Medina, and, in the Koran, was the creation of a radically egalitarian community, the likes of which have never been seen before. Soon after his death sentence successor of the Prophet on the overwhelming task of definition and interpretation of Muhammad’s message for future generations. Their efforts led to the development of a comprehensive code of conduct to regulate every aspect of life of the believer. But this attempt only extended the gap between the orthodox Islam and its two major sects, Shiism and Sufism, both Aslan presented in rich detail. Finally, No god but God examines how, in the shadow of European colonialism, Muslims are in conflict develops strategies to reconcile traditional Islamic values with the social and political realities of the modern world.

With the advent of the Islamic state in the 20th Century, this contest is about the future of Islam has become a passionate, sometimes violent struggle between those who are trying to enforce a rigid and archaic legal code on the society and those who struggle to harmonize the teachings of Prophet with contemporary ideals democracy and human rights. According to Reza Aslan, which we now live in the era of “Islamic Reformation”. No god but God is a convincing and elegantly written consideration of the origins, development, and the future of Islam.