Often described as the soul of Islam, Sufism is one of the most interesting yet least known facet of this global religion. Sufism is the softer more inclusive and mystical form of Islam. Although militant Islamists dominate the headlines, the Sufi ideal has captured the imagination of many. Nowhere in the world is the handprint of Sufism more observable than South Asia, which has the largest Muslim population of the world, but also the greatest concentration of Sufis. This book examines active Sufi communities in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh that shed light on the devotion, and...

Religion has played a role in conflict throughout history, with religious scriptures often being used to justify violence.　In Search of Solutions evaluates the role of religion in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Israel-Palestine. The book argues that religion has a tendency towards conflict and that peace is best guaranteed when human individuals commune directly with the divine without the mediation of organized religions. Different approaches to the reading of scriptures are introduced, drawing on post-modern theory. In Search of Solutions will be invaluable for the...

The Bloomsbury Companion to Islamic Studies is a comprehensive survey of the field - past, present and future. Providing an overview of the key theoretical and methodological issues, as well as practical guidance on researching, it is the ideal guide for advanced students in Islamic Studies.

Topics and case studies covered include:

- Qur'anic Studies
- Islamic Theology
- Islam and the West
- Islamic Art and Architecture
- Sufism

Research and practical tools include:

- A-Z of key terms and concepts
- Chronology
- Detailed list of...