This exceptionally successful survey text introduces the teachings and practice of Islam from its earliest origins up to its contemporary practice. John L. Esposito, an internationally renowned expert on Islam, traces the development of Islam and its impact on world history and politics.

Lucidly written and expansive in scope, Islam: The Straight Path, Updated Fifth Edition, provides keen insight into one of the world's least understood religions. It is ideally suited for use in courses on Islam, world religions, comparative religions, and Middle East history and culture.

A FREE 6-month subscription to Oxford Islamic Studies Online (www.oxfordislamicstudies.com), edited by John L. Esposito, is included with the purchase of every new copy of this text.

John L. Esposito is University Professor of Religion and International Affairs, Professor of Islamic Studies, Founding Director of the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, and Director of The Bridge: Protecting Pluralism--Ending Islamophobia at Georgetown University. Editor-in-Chief of Oxford Islamic Studies Online and The Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam, he is the author of What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam, Second Edition (2011), The Future of Islam (2010), and Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam (2002), and coauthor of Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring (2015), all published by Oxford University Press.

Introduction
1. Muhammad and the Quran: Messenger and Message
Muhammad and the Muslim Community
Muhammad and the West
The Quran: The Word of God
Conclusion
2. The Muslim Community in History
Muhammad and the Medinan State
The Caliphate (632-1258)
Islam and the West: The Crusades and Muslim Response to Militant Christianity
The Sultanate Period: Medieval Muslim Empires
Islam in the West
3. Religious Life: Belief and Practice
Theology
Islamic Law
4. Modern Islamic Reform Movements
From Imperial Islam to Islamic Revivalism
Revivalism in Islam
Modern Islamic Movements
Conclusion
5. Religion & Politics
The Islamic Resurgence
A Quiet Revolution
Global Terrorism
The Globalization and Hijacking of Jihad
Sayyid Qutb: Martyr of Islamic Radicalism
The Making of a Terrorist and his Global Jihad
Terrorists and Suicide Bombing
Democratic Transition in Tunisia
Conclusion
6. The Struggle for Islam in the Twenty-First Century
The Bifurcation of Society
The Ulama and Reform
Tradition: Anchor or Albatross?
A Spectrum of Reformers and Approaches
Cyberspace and High-Tech Islam
Critical Areas of Islamic Reform
The Challenge of Religious Pluralism
Global Muslim Multifaith and Intercivilizational Initiatives
The Challenge of Pluralism for Western Secular Democracies
Conclusion
Timeline
Glossary
Select Bibliography
Index