Preface 5
1. MUHAMMAD: HIS LIFE, PERSONALITY AND MINISTRY
1. AN 0UTLINE OF THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD
The Prophet of the Arabs at Mecca 11
The Founder of Islam at Medina 24
The Conflict with the Jews 38
The Conquest of Mecca and the Final Triumph 48
2. A STUDY OF MUHAMMAD'S PERSONALITY
An Assessment of his Character 54
His Treatment of his Personal Enemies 66
The Circumstances of his Marriages 77
3. THE NATURE OF MUHAMMAD'S PROPHETIC EXPERIENCE
An-Nabi ul-Ummi: The Unlettered Prophet 91
Muhammad's Concept of Revelation 99
Satan's Interjection and its Implications 117
Al-Mi'raj: The Alleged Ascent to Heaven 130
2. QUR'AN AND HADITH: THE SOURCES OF ISLAM
4. THE QUR'AN: THE SCRIPTURE OF ISLAM
The Composition and Character of the Qur'an 139
The Meccan and Medinan Surahs 149
Significant Qur'anic Doctrines and Teachings 158
5. THE COLLECTION AND SOURCES OF THE QUR'AN
Evidences for the Collection of the Qur'an 176
Jewish Influences in the Qur'an 200
Other Qur'anic Origins and Sources 211
English Translations of the Qur'an 215
6. THE HADITH: THE TRADITIONS OF ISLAM
An Introduction to the Subject of Hadith 224
The Major Works of Hadith Literature 233
The Authenticity of the Traditions 239
3. ISLAM: THE RELIGION AND ITS MOVEMENTS
7. THE PRINCIPAL DUTIES OF ISLAM
Fundamental Muslim Tenets and Beliefs 250
Sinlessness of the Prophets: The Isma Doctrine 273
The Five Pillars of Islam 284
The Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca 294
8. THE SOCIAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF ISLAM
Muslim Festivals and Celebrations 305
Social and Family Laws in Islam 311
Cultic Trends in Popular Islam 322
The Consequences of Apostasy from Islam 340
9. MUSLIM MOVEMENTS AND SCHISMS
Sufism in Theory and Practice 346
The Sources and Tenets of Shi'ite Islam 362
A Study of the Ahmadiyya Movement 374
Other Important Sects in Muslim History 386
Bibliography 393
Other books by John Gilchrist
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