Chapter 1: The Evolution and Rise of Islam -- The Evolution of Islam -- Historical roots -- Periodic reinforcement and revival -- Religion is formalized -- The Rise and Spread of Islam -- Where and how the religion spread -- 622-632: Period under Muhammadp -- 632-661: Period under the four caliphs -- 661-750: Period under the Ummayyad Dynasty -- 750-1258: Period under the Abbasid Dynasty -- 750-950: Golden Age of Islam -- Islam's Contribution And Impact -- Dignity -- Islamic civilization -- Global influence -- Nurturer of knowledge during the Dark Ages -- Areas of excellence and contribution -- Chapter 2: The Decline of Islamic Civilization and Present Status -- Decline of Muslim Dynasties and Empires -- How the decline occurred -- The End of the Abbasid Dynasty -- The Fatimid Dynasty -- Seljuk Turks -- The Mongols -- The fall of Spain in 1492 -- End of the Safavid Empire -- End of the Mughal Empire -- End of the Ottoman Empire -- Modern World Events and Developments -- Colonial subjugation -- Major 20th-century developments -- The Balfour Declaration sows seeds of future conflict -- Islamic states are formed -- Islam in Today's World -- Widespread underdeveloped Muslim societies -- Population -- Areas of concentration -- Ethnic diversity -- Cultural diversity -- Political diversity -- The Myth of unity and brotherhood -- Common misconception about Arabs and Muslims -- Islam In America -- History of Islam in America -- Population -- Dynamic community -- Chapter 3: Defining Events And How Muslims View Them -- Historical Events -- Introduction -- The Decline of Islamic civilization after its Golden Age -- The Crusades -- The failed Turkish siege of Vienna -- The end of the Ottoman Empire -- Revival and reform movements -- The end of the colonial era -- Saudi Arabia comes under the Saud family rule -- Events after 1947 -- Partition of India.

Kashmir -- Palestine -- The overthrow of Mossadegh in Iran -- Arab defeats in four wars -- The 1973 Oil Embargo -- Soviet Union's defeat in Afghanistan -- The Breakup of the Soviet Union -- The Gulf War -- The Bosnia massacres -- Beirut, Somalia, and Southern Lebanon -- Financial Crises -- Saudi Arabia -- Bank of Credit and Commerce -- Leadership losses -- Pakistan's Nuclear Bomb -- The War against Iraq -- Chapter 4: Perceived Western Role and Muslim Reaction -- Role Played by America and Western Powers -- Support for Israel -- Soft attitude towards Israeli leadership -- Support for despots and dictators -- Judging by, and imposing, foreign values -- Insensitivity to Muslim feelings -- Hatred for the American way of life -- Media bias -- Friendship of convenience -- Double standards -- Post-Gulf War Iraq policy -- Not differentiating between terrorism and freedom struggles -- Divide and rule -- The Islamic bomb -- Reaction by Muslims to Recent Historical Events -- Refusing to accept responsibility -- Advocating return to the seventh century -- Feeling victimized -- Passive hatred -- Acting prejudiced -- Becoming freedom fighters or terrorists -- Exporting mujahideen and terrorists -- 9/11: The Hijacking of Islam -- Why it happened -- Anti-Islamic act -- How Muslims view the 9/11 tragedy -- Impact on Muslims -- Chapter 5: Where Lies the Truth -- Analyzing Muslim Complaints against America -- American support for Israel is one-sided -- Jewish influence in the Senate is too strong -- Palestine issue incorrectly projected as religious struggle -- America is anti-Islam and anti-Muslim -- Support for despots and dictators -- Judging by, and imposing, foreign values -- Insensitivity to Muslim feelings -- Hatred for the American way of life -- American media is biased -- News is driven by business needs -- Mujahideen were used and abandoned.

Friendship of convenience -- Policy implemented by inexperienced politicians -- Uninformed Americans -- Slow response to Bosnian crisis -- Guilty by association -- British influence and bias -- War against Iraq -- Analyzing Muslim Issues and Failures -- Lack of education is widespread -- Priorities are wrong -- Religious extremists are in control -- Religion used as a cover to achieve ends -- Palestine incorrectly portrayed as a religious struggle -- The Kuwait crisis was initiated by Iraq, not America -- Bhutto was responsible for his own downfall -- Saudi non-oil exports have started creating major problems -- Poor communication and use of media -- Muslims lack role models -- The majority is silent -- Leadership has failed consistently -- Jehad hijacked -- Chapter 6: Failure of Muslim Leadership -- Political Leadership -- Organization of Islamic Conference -- Arabs -- Iran -- Pakistan -- Indonesia -- Algeria -- Afghanistan -- Palestine -- Kashmir -- Religious Leadership -- Saudi Arabia -- Iran -- The World -- America -- Chapter 7: Jehad Hijacked -- Violence, Compulsion, and War -- Does Islam preach violence -- Did Islam spread by force -- Is Islam tolerant -- Perception of Islamic intolerance: A disconnect -- Why Muslim tolerance has declined -- When Islam permits war -- Jehad -- Concept and purpose of jehad -- Misconception about jehad -- When war or armed action can be justified as jehad -- Unholy wars -- Terrorism -- Islamic view of terrorism -- Both state-sponsored and individual acts of terrorism are un-Islamic -- Suicide bombing and martyrdom -- Is Islam responsible for terrorism carried out in its name -- Fundamentalism -- What is fundamentalism -- What Islamic fundamentalism represents -- Who and where are the Muslim fundamentalists -- What has swelled the ranks of fundamentalists -- Chapter 8: Building a Better Future.

What World Muslims Need To Do -- Address root causes of problems -- Prioritize correctly -- Recognize Israel -- Stress educational, scientific, and technological development -- Achieve economic independence -- Introduce social reform -- Strive for unity -- Shift from negative to positive objectives -- Become more responsible -- Learn to help themselves -- Become politically active -- Pick good leaders and make them accountable -- The silent majority should become vocal -- Avoid self-righteous superiority syndrome -- Communicate with non-Muslims -- What America and the West Need To Do -- Address root causes of problems -- Be a fair peace broker and guarantee Israel's security -- Be informed and sensitive -- Plan for the long-term -- Match actions to words -- Be unbiased and fair -- Do not paint all with the same brush -- Engage Muslims -- Build on common values -- What American Muslims Need To Do -- Assume world leadership -- Leave baggage behind -- Focus on the bigger picture -- Put their own house in order -- Avoid double standards -- Lead by example and marginalize extremists -- Plan for the long term -- Be involved in the political process -- Master communication techniques -- Stress common values -- Develop mirror image of society professionals -- Appreciate what America has provided -- Reach out for a better future -- Part II -- Chapter 9: Muhammadp -- Pre-Prophethood Period -- Birth and childhood -- Life as a youth -- State of Arabia at Muhammadp's birth -- Prophethood -- The Koran is revealed -- Preaching in Mecca -- Basic message and theme -- Persecution -- Ridicule and threats -- Bribery -- Intensified persecution -- Flight to Medina -- The Development of Islamic Society -- An Islamic state and society are established -- Continued opposition from Meccans -- More battles -- Return to Mecca -- Muhammadp's Qualities and Stature.

Personality and characteristics -- How Muhammadp is viewed by followers of Islam -- Place in history -- Chapter 10: Basic Elements of Islam -- Islam, Allah, and Muslims -- The Meaning of Islam -- How the word Islam is derived -- What submission implies -- Allah -- Who is a Muslim -- Background and Teachings -- Islam builds upon the older religions' teachings -- Basic message and teachings -- Fundamental beliefs -- Purpose of human life and man's responsibilities -- Rewards and punishments -- Salvation -- Important Elements Defining Islam -- More than a religion: a way of life -- Universal appeal -- Rigid on fundamental principles -- Flexible -- Practical and balanced -- Common misconceptions about Islam -- Symbols and Festivals -- Spiritual centers -- Mecca -- Medina -- Jerusalem -- The Islamic calendar -- Festivals and religious days -- Festivals -- Lailat al-Qadr -- Congregational day: Friday -- Chapter 11: The Six Beliefs -- Belief in One God -- Core concept: Oneness of God -- Unconditional acceptance -- Belief in Angels -- Who are the angels -- Attributes and tasks -- Belief in God's Revealed Books -- Belief in divinely revealed scriptures -- Scriptures that a Muslim believes in -- Belief that pre-Koran scriptures have been corrupted -- Belief in Prophets and Messengers -- Who were the prophets and messengers -- Purpose and common message -- How Muslims regard other prophets -- Muhammadp's role as the last prophet -- Belief in the Day of Judgment -- Life and death -- Day of Judgment -- Benefit of having accountability -- Life after death -- Paradise and Hell -- Belief in Pre-Ordainment (Al-Qadar) -- Fate and divine decree -- Free will and the ability to choose right or wrong -- How belief in al-Qadar is beneficial -- Chapter 12: The Five Pillars -- Acts of Worship in Islam -- Concept of Ibadah (worship) -- Ritual worship: The five pillars.

Non-ritual worship.