The Cultural Atlas of Islam

The Cultural Atlas of Islam is a reference work by Isma'il Raji al-Faruqi and Lois Lamya al-Faruqi, published posthumously in 1986. The book provides an extensive overview of Islamic civilization, covering various aspects such as history, geography, culture, art, and science. It aims to contribute to the understanding of the diverse heritage of Islam.

Overview
The book serves as a comprehensive guide to the Islamic world, presenting a detailed account of Islamic societies' cultural and historical developments. It is designed to educate readers on the multifaceted nature of Islamic civilization, highlighting the contributions of Muslims to global culture and knowledge. The book has been described as "a lavish, visual feast" with a substantial text.

Background
Isma'il al-Faruqi, a Palestinian-American philosopher, and Lois Lamya, an Islamic art and music expert, collaborated to create this extensive work. The Cultural Atlas of Islam was published a month after the authors' deaths. The authors aimed to provide a comprehensive portrayal of Islamic culture, addressing various aspects of its historical and cultural development.

Contents
The Cultural Atlas of Islam is organized into several key sections:

Introduction
The introduction provides an overview of the Islamic world, its people, and its cultural diversity.

Historical Background
This section offers a detailed chronology of Islamic history from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the modern era.

Geographical Distribution
This part includes maps and descriptions of the regions where Islam is practised, highlighting the diversity within the Muslim world.

Cultural Contributions
In this section, the book explores Islamic art, architecture, literature, music, and science, illustrating the achievements of Muslim civilizations.

Social Structures
This part examines Islamic societies' social, economic, and political aspects, including family structures, education, and governance.

Themes
The book's primary themes revolve around the unity and diversity of Islamic culture. The authors emphasize the concept of tawhid (the oneness of God) as a central theme in Islamic art and culture. Other themes include the importance of knowledge, the interconnection between different Islamic regions, and the dynamic nature of Islamic civilization over time.

Criticism
The book has received both praise and criticism from reviewers. It has been described as a product of the current Muslim resurgence, with a controversial approach that asserts the superiority of Islam over other world religions. Some reviewers criticized the book for its poor organization and complex vocabulary, which might intimidate general readers. Others pointed out the lack of integration between text and visual elements, making the book difficult to navigate.

Publication
The Cultural Atlas of Islam was published in 1986 by Macmillan Publishing Company in New York and Collier Macmillan Publishers in London. The work has been recognized for its scholarly rigor and its contribution to promoting a deeper understanding of Islamic culture and history.