Now in its second edition, Islam: The Basics provides an introduction to the Islamic faith, examining the doctrines of the religion, the practises of Muslims and the history and significance of Islam in modern contexts. nbsp;Key topics covered include: the Qur'an and its teachings the life of the Prophet Muhammad gender, womennbsp;and Islam Sufism and Shi'ism Islam and the western world non-Muslim approaches to Islam. With updated further reading,nbsp;illustrative mapsnbsp;and an expanded chronology of turning points in the Islamic world, this book is essential reading for students of religious studies and all those new to the subject of Islam.