The Straight Path, by John Esposito - Essay Example

Subsequent chapters deal with various themes, from the political and religious structure of Muslim communities in history, to the theological interpretations and disagreements between the religions's leading jurists, to the nineteenth and twentieth century reformists and neo-reformists and, finally, contemporary issues and trends within the religion. Through a critical analysis of Islam: The Straight Path, this review shall seek to determine whether or not Esposito satisfied his expressed aim in writing this book and if, indeed, he has provided the non-academic, introductory reader with a non-biased and solid understanding of Islam.

The first three chapters focus on the earlier historical aspects of Islam, from the rise of the religion to the evolution of divisions within the Muslim community. The first chapter is particularly informative and understandable. Not only does it provide a historical account of the Quranic revelations and the life of Mohammed within that context but it explains the interrelationship between Mohammed and the Quran. . Interestingly, and in an attempt to make the teachings of the Quran more understandable and accessible to his Western, non-academic audience, Esposito draws upon contrasts between Islam and Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

The second and third chapters present an overview of the political, social and sectarian history of Islam. The rise of the Islamic empires, the development of the caliphate system of governance and the spread of the religion beyond Arabia are all discussed within the context of an accessible historical capsule. Primarily dealing with Islam following the death of Mohammed, these chapters also explain the emergence of divisions within Islamic theology, eventually leading to the evolution of various sects, from the Shia to the Mutazila to the Kharijites.

In addition, the development of the various schools of theological and legal interpretation is discussed and differences between them are clarified. The second and third chapters, even though they are a continuation of the first, contrast with it in a very important way. In brief, while the first chapter gave readers a sense of Islam as a unifying force and presented it as a religion whose interpretation, as exemplified by Mohammed's lifestyle and words, was relatively clear cut, the second and third chapters indirectly dispute this assumption.

The rise of sects and the different schools of theological interpretation lead the reader to believe that the unifying force was the Prophet of Islam, himself and upon his death, unification died as well. This belief is further confirmed by Esposito's statement that the Murjia "position provided a justification for Umayyad legitimacy and rule" (Esposito, 1991, 70). The implication here is that while earlier theological interpretations, as in