Islam is one of the world's great monotheistic religions, a culture with 1500 years of history and a civilization of one billion people, constituting a quarter of humanity. Yet the religion which Muhammad founded is seen only in terms of oil and turmoil, fundamentalism and bigotry. A potent political force in global affairs, it is one of the least understood ideologies in the world. This book is an informative guide to the complex, and often perplexing, world of Islam. It recounts the history of Islam from Muhammad's birth in the later sixth century Arabian desert to its cultural and political force in our time. It provides an insight into Islamic beliefs and traditions and an examination of the new ideas and ideals that are shaping the Muslim world.