The Cultural Atlas of Islam

The Cultural Atlas of Islam
Cover of the 1986 edition
AuthorIsmail al-Faruqi and Lois Lamya al-Faruqi
LanguageEnglish
SubjectIslamic studies, Islamic culture, History of Islam
Published1986
PublisherMacmillan Publishing Company
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint
Pages512
ISBN9780029101902
OCLC849811134
Preceded byDivine Transcendence and Its Expression (1983) 
Published posthumously

The Cultural Atlas of Islam is a reference work by Palestinian-American philosopher Isma'il Raji al-Faruqi and Lois Lamya al-Faruqi, published posthumously in 1986. Combining a substantial text with maps and illustrations, it surveys Islamic history, regions, arts, and institutions across multiple periods and geographies.[1][2][3]

Overview

The book presents text and visual material on Islamic societies’ historical development, regional distribution, and cultural production.[1] The book has been described as "a lavish, visual feast" with a substantial text.[2]

Background

The book was the final collaboration between Isma'il al-Faruqi and his wife, Lois Lamya al-Faruqi, combining his philosophical perspective with her expertise in Islamic art and music. The volume appeared in 1986 as a joint posthumous publication. The authors aimed to provide a comprehensive portrayal of Islamic culture, addressing various aspects of its historical and cultural development.[4]

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.[1]

Historical Background

This section offers a detailed chronology of Islamic history from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the modern era.[1]

Geographical Distribution

This part includes maps and descriptions of the regions where Islam is practised, highlighting the diversity within the Muslim world.[1]

Cultural Contributions

In this section, the book explores Islamic art, architecture, literature, music, and science, illustrating the achievements of Muslim civilizations.[4]

Social Structures

This part examines Islamic societies' social, economic, and political aspects, including family structures, education, and governance.[1]

Themes

The central themes focus on 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.[4]

Reception and criticism

The book received a range of thoughtful reviews, both positive and critical. It was often praised for its ambition and visual richness, capturing the scope of Islamic civilization across time and geography.[5] Some reviewers also saw it as a reflection of the modern Muslim intellectual revival, noting that its comparative treatment of other religions could appear assertive or polemical.[6] Others pointed to structural and stylistic challenges, citing its dense vocabulary, uneven organisation, and limited integration between text and visual elements.[7] Despite these reservations, the work has continued to be recognised as a major contribution to the study of Islamic culture, valued for its scope, visual documentation, and civilizational perspective.[4]

Publication

The Cultural Atlas of Islam was first published in 1986 by Macmillan Publishing Company in New York and by Collier Macmillan in London.[1] A later printing is distributed by Islamic Book Trust in Malaysia, with identical content and format.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g al-Faruqi, Isma'il Raji; al-Faruqi, Lois Lamya (1986). The Cultural Atlas of Islam. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. ISBN 9780029101902. OCLC 9456044879.
  2. ^ a b Ahmed, Akbar (2002). Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History and Society (Revised ed.). Routledge. p. 207. ISBN 9780415285254.
  3. ^ Carlin, Romano (1986-11-30). "What the Well-Dressed Holiday Coffee Table Will Wear". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia. p. S.10. ProQuest 1830716871. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
  4. ^ a b c d "Book Notice: The Cultural Atlas of Islam". American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences. 3 (1): 169–170. 1986. doi:10.35632/ajis.v3i1.2768.
  5. ^ Robinson, Francis (1987). "Review of The Cultural Atlas of Islam by Ismail R. al-Faruqi and Lois Lamya al-Faruqi". The Journal of Asian Studies. 46 (3). Cambridge University Press: 620–621. doi:10.2307/2056903.
  6. ^ Rafael, Vicente L. (1987). "The Cultural Atlas of Islam. By Isma'il R. al Faruqi and Lois Lamya' al Faruqi. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1986. 512 pp. $100.00". Journal of Church and State. 29 (3): 547–548. doi:10.1093/jcs/29.3.547.
  7. ^ Bacharach, Jere L. (1988). "The Cultural Atlas of Islam". MESA Bulletin. 22. New York: Macmillan: 109–110. doi:10.1017/S0026318400019994.
  8. ^ "The Cultural Atlas of Islam". Islamic Book Trust. Retrieved 23 October 2025.


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