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A little help please -- Islam

Nex

Forum Turnip
Nex
Joined
Oct 9, 2004
Messages
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Hey. So, my brother is converting to Islam. I'm totally cool with it -- he seems happy, and I know him well enough to know that he's not the type to be pressured into something this big, so, I'm happy for him.

But I'm embarrassed at how little I know about Islam. Just the basics, really.

Anyone here know of a book title or website that really helped explain things? I've done basic Googling and learned a bit, but it seems like a lot of the websites that come up just say the same things over and over again. I'm really looking for more in-depth than the very basics now.

So... I'll keep looking, and I'm planning on hitting the public library Wednesday afternoon (can't make it down there any earlier), but if any of you know of a good book or website, please suggest it.

Thanks in advance, JREFers. :o
 
I'm not sure how much you've already learned, but the Wikipedia article on Islam has a fair bit of information, plus lots of related articles. :)
 
Why did I not think of Wikipedia?? *sigh*

Thanks Cosmo. :) It's got more info than what I had already gleaned from Google searches, and that'll help me with more search keywords.

I wanted to state, since I don't think it was obvious from the OP, that I'm not expecting anyone to do my work for me. I was just asking on the offchance that someone had come across a book or website with a good amount of info on Islam. ;)
 
Nex said:
Hey. So, my brother is converting to Islam. I'm totally cool with it -- he seems happy, and I know him well enough to know that he's not the type to be pressured into something this big, so, I'm happy for him.

But I'm embarrassed at how little I know about Islam. Just the basics, really.

Anyone here know of a book title or website that really helped explain things? I've done basic Googling and learned a bit, but it seems like a lot of the websites that come up just say the same things over and over again. I'm really looking for more in-depth than the very basics now.
Click to expand...

Which type?
 
I would have thought you'd have a great resource right there in your brother. If you said to him "I don't know much about Islam, will you teach me?", that might be a really useful dialogue between you. It would also help him to confirm to himself how much he knows about his new chosen life. :)
 
tkingdoll said:
I would have thought you'd have a great resource right there in your brother. If you said to him "I don't know much about Islam, will you teach me?", that might be a really useful dialogue between you. It would also help him to confirm to himself how much he knows about his new chosen life. :)
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Hrm, I've asked, but he's a very private person and it seems like he's uncomfortable discussing his religious beliefs, so I've felt it more respectful to just leave him alone about it. Besides, what he believes isn't the end-all-be-all of Islam, and I'd like to get a better grasp on it than just my brother's POV, you know?
 
Nex said:
I have no idea. :covereyes


ETA: I'm assuming you mean to which denomination of Islam my brother's converting?
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Denomination isn't quite the right term. Other than the sunni/shia split the various islamic groups tend not to devide too clearly (the devides I do know about thed to be due to wider cultual background than denominations).
 
geni said:
Denomination isn't quite the right term. Other than the sunni/shia split the various islamic groups tend not to devide too clearly (the devides I do know about thed to be due to wider cultual background than denominations).
Click to expand...
... and now I know, hehehe... :o
 
Well, there's a book called Islam for Dummies, but I dunno how good it is.

I recommend the site islamicity.com, which has a plethora of information on Islam, from the basics up to the entire Quran online (in several translations including the original Arabic).
 
Cleon said:
Well, there's a book called Islam for Dummies, but I dunno how good it is.
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I've seen that book, but I've been told it wasn't really that good. I may check it out of the library tomorrow anyway. Thanks!

Cleon said:
I recommend the site islamicity.com, which has a plethora of information on Islam, from the basics up to the entire Quran online (in several translations including the original Arabic).
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Ooo oi, thank you! I'll probably kill quite a few hours there. Sweet... :D
 
This may seem obvoius but there are good English translations of the Q'ran (or Koran) available. It is not a long book (about 500 pages - less than your average bestseller - not like reading the Bible). The best translation I beleive is this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0192831933/qid=1141785187/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/203-4676012-8590339

Aklternatively, there is a "Complete Idiots Guide to the Koran" - also recommended:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592571050/ref=pd_sim_b_dp_1/203-4676012-8590339
 
tkingdoll said:
I would have thought you'd have a great resource right there in your brother. If you said to him "I don't know much about Islam, will you teach me?", that might be a really useful dialogue between you. It would also help him to confirm to himself how much he knows about his new chosen life. :)
Click to expand...

Very few muslims have much idea at all of what islam is about, at least the vocal ones. You are to know what your imam tells you , much like christianity
 
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