Understanding Islam

a classic, written from the perspective of why Muslims believe in their faith.

What an amazing book. Somewhat difficult to read, you need a dictionary next to you. But what amazing insights this man has not just into the world of Islam but religion as a whole. I should clarify that the insights he has always existed in religious traditions, what is amazing is his ability to convey it clearly to the modern man. I cannot recommend this book enough. You will need a good understanding of Islam to really appreciate it. Some of his insights has left me in awe. Truly has changed my outlook towards things. It's interesting to note that above all the religions he has studied and known intimately, he chose to accept Islam.

I just started reading the book.

It is written in a very subtle way. Lots of insight. I can't wait to finish the last page. It would be a good recommendation for anyone interested in understanding Islam and Muslim thinking. It also is a good reading for someone who has enough knowledge about Islam for it gives more food for thought and challenging perspectives.

Long regarded as a masterpiece, this book should be read not only as an original, profound and beautiful view of the spiritual philosophy, rituals, art and culture of Islam, but also as a much needed intelligent introduction to Religion in general, Religion with a capital "R", Religion as such. In this respect, the "genial" insights of Schuon concerning the inner treasuries of Christianity (especially in the 4th chapter) should be emphasized.

Schuon was an intellectual and a spiritual genius, and in this book this genius is shown simultaneously in his visions of Islam, of Christianity, and of Religion as such.

Although i have my doubts about Schuon as a person and as a sufi,especially considering his absurd behaviour in later life(Allahualim),this book is an indespensible companion to anyone serious about learning Islam.

It is a book which one will constantly refer to..as the points it makes,become clearer over time and experince.The greatness of schuons work is that his ideas are from the realm of experience not specualtion alone .You can only feel what he writes about,or only understand it having experinced it.This is not the work of a dry scholar,who speaks artfully,but soulessly from a pedestal,to a religous public he intellectually scorns.This is the work of a man who lived what he talked about,to the point or past the point of losing his mind.

The downside to Schuon is that his work is too involved at the level of the intellect(even though he refers to it as the divine intellect) and can consume you in a world of concepts. At a certain point one will have to abandon such a mentally overwhelming approach and adopt simplicity.

Whilst all orthodox paths may be valid as Schuon states,in his persoanl life he tried to reconcile too many opposing streams of divine influence and became exactly the kind of victim he was so opposed to?

A friend of mine who tried for years to find Schuon was advised by Ann Marie Schimmel,that Schuons books were very useful,but meeting the person himself was otherwise.

Very valuable as mentioned,but dont take everything as gospel..even though its intitial brilliance will dazzle you.!

Jay Kinney, in "Whole Earth Review," wrote of this work:

"Frithjof Schuon's Understanding Islam...delves into the depths of Islam... Schuon does not hesitate to draw parallels between Islam and other faiths, particularly Hinduism. He also takes the reader into the esoteric (or inner) essence of Islam, where traditions and laws are given unexpected twists. If you have ever had any doubts about Islam being a satisfying framework for intellectual inquiry, this book should lay them to rest."

This book presupposes a basic familiarity with Islam. Rather than being an encyclopedic source of information, it offers keys to elucidating the universal symbolism of Divine Reality as manifested within the Islamic revelation. At the same time, it gives excellent comparisons between different world religions viewed in their essentiality. Highly recommended for serious readers.