The book developed from the introductory stages of Muslim taught in the Universities in religious studies lessons. In an attempt to understand the Islamic concepts, it tries to explain the principles in simple and familiar language. Form the onset, Islam has been a difficult subject to present to students especially those who emanate form other cultures. It is harder to teach Islam in learning institutions as a result of the cultural diversity. Sachiko asserts that Islam is best understood by individuals who have been born and raised in Islamic backgrounds.
The book focuses on what Islam has brought of its own existence. The term Islam is used to refer to texts that have enjoyed global acceptance as the standouts of the Islamic tradition. Similar to other religions in the world, Islam has its landmarks. These landmarks are used to understand the Islamic religion. These texts are found in the prime Islamic book which is the Quran. The Quran is interpreted by Muhammad the prophet himself. As a result of these interpretations, it is important to note that the vision of Islam has been advanced by many philosophers basing on what the Quran has to say. The book asserts that Islamic interpretations have been used to judge cases in court since the Islamic community believes that religion is the basis of all moral behavior.
However, the book does not evaluate form the popular perspectives that the whole society is familiar with. The book instead majors on portraying Islam form the perspectives of the Great Muslims. According to the book, these great Muslims set up the main codes of interpreting and understanding Islam.
The writers argue that Islam interprets itself in a manner far beyond what is stated in contemporary textbooks. The texts are the most important elements that can be used to evaluate the religion since they were drafted by the founders of the religion. The book looks at Quranic languages and how the world has received the different interpretations. Rom the author’s perception, Islam is more than just a religion. It is a civilization that has become a part of some societies such that they cannot affiliate themselves to other forms of civilization.
In fact, the Islamic practices could not have spread far and beyond many national borders if all people in the world understood the Islamic texts in the same manner. What is intriguing, however, is the fact that Islamic practices are uniform in nearly all the regions of the world. They celebrate the same holidays all over the world with very minimal variations. This is in spite of the variations existing in the interpretations of the original texts.
The Islamic religion cannot be compared to other religions like Christianity. Christianity has many denominations and divisions within the same beliefs and doctrines.
According to the book, God does not send message in a different language that cannot be understood by the people that it is intended for (Murata and William 2). The form in which the Lord’s message reveals itself conforms to the manner in which the people communicate and the language they use. The prophet (Muhammad) came to address the needs of the people in the whole world. As a result, the holy Islamic book had to address the people in a language that they were familiar with.
Islam spread to many other societies because of the variations in the languages. These societies include China, Africa, South-East Asia and the European continent. This reveals that the Islamic texts were not fixed and put down in a particular manner. The texts had fluidity and flexibility within them such that they could be accepted and understood by many societies. The Islam doctrines were accepted and understood by societies that spoke different languages of the tongue and the heart. It influenced the spiritual beliefs and standpoints of many societies.
Islam is a fulfilling religious practice since many people ascribe to it and they acquire their spiritual fulfillment. In its own unique mannerism, the Quran has been able to speak to a variety of cultures since it has its own form of discourse.
However, there have been many generational changes. The new generations cannot rely on the interpretations made by those generations which preceded them. New generations have different spiritual needs from the previous ones. What may have been the moral code in the previous interpretations may be morally accepted in these modern societies. Islam can be perceived to accommodate generational changes. Modern societies still practice Islam in spite of the long term that has elapse.
CONCLUSION
What is intriguing about Islam is how the doctrines can specifically accommodate the variety of people who practice it. The doctrines are so precise yet there are so many communities who believe in it without the divisions that have been witnessed in other religions like Christianity.
One thing that the book fails to address is the negativity associated with Islam. The book only focuses on how Islam has addressed diversity by ensuring spiritual unity. However, there are some radical Islam teachings, for instance the doctrines on holy war, which promote acts of violence.
Works Cited
Murata, Sachiko, and William C. Chittick. The Vision of Islam. New York: Paragon House, 1994. Print.
