Presents readers with an explanation of the roots and beliefs of Islam, and seeks to provide an objective view of this often misinterpreted religion. Author Ziauddin Sardar explains what makes a Muslim; where Muslims come from and who they are today; what, exactly, they believe and how they reflect those beliefs; and where Islam is headed. Includes a chronology of Islamic history from A.D. 632 to the present, a glossary of terms, selections from the Qur'an and the Hadith, as well as list of further reading.