Understanding Islamic Terms and Practices 

EMQ » Jan – March 2025 » Volume 61 Issue 1

Reviewed by Sharon Caswell, MABS student, South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary, Deerfield Beach, Florida.

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Islam is the world’s second most widely practiced religion, with “over 1.6 billion followers” (xx). Christians all over the world, in nearly every community, are forming relationships with Muslims but often do not understand the religion’s terminology and practices. Ayman S. Ibrahim has written this book to offer clear explanations of complex Islamic concepts without overwhelming his readers.

Ibrahim defines over one hundred terms and concepts embraced by Muslims that describe their beliefs and practices. Each term includes a pronunciation guide, which is extremely helpful for non-Arabic speaking readers. Ibrahim grouped the terms and concepts under six chapter headings:

• Islamic Texts
• Islamic History
• Islamic Faith and Belief
• Islamic Practices and Religious Duties
• Islamic Jurisprudence
• Islamic Movements

Grouping the terms this way encourages readers to understand how each term fits within the broader context of Islamic ideology.

While this book can be read chapter by chapter, it is intentionally written with the understanding that many readers will use it as a reference book when seeking to understand a specific term. Many terms in Islam are understood differently by the different sects within Islam (Sunnism and Shiism being the main divisions).

Ibrahim carefully points out the differences between these sects’ understanding and practice of certain terms, often respectfully pointing out theological inconsistencies and verifiable origins of many Islamic beliefs. If a reader is unfamiliar with the history and various sects in Islam, reading the last chapter, “Islamic Movements,” will prove helpful in understanding some of the material in the rest of the book.

While chapter 2 focuses on Islamic history, Ibrahim weaves historical events in Islam throughout the book, emphasizing that “the place, person, or event impacted the formation of Islam” (23). Many terms cannot be understood apart from the historical context or their connection to other terms and concepts previously discussed. While this can seem repetitive when reading the book chapter by chapter, it is invaluable when using it as a reference guide.

Chapters 3 and 4 constitute the core of this book, concentrating on Islamic faith, belief, and practice. Ibrahim defines seventy terms in these two chapters alone, providing clear and concise explanations of key concepts and practices that shape the lives of Muslims. Understanding terms such as tawhid (strict monotheism, Allah as unmatched [44–45]) or qadar (Allah’s “complete and total foreordaining and decreeing of all that happens, both good and bad” [47]) enables more effective faith conversations.

Unlike many other books written by Christians on this subject, Ibrahim’s book does not explicitly focus on evangelism but rather encourages readers to understand the terms and concepts of Islam, empowering them to engage more thoughtfully with their Muslim neighbors. In doing this, Ibrahim indirectly supports the biblical principle of loving one’s neighbor as one’s self.

This book is a valuable resource for Christian pastors, educators, missionaries, and church leaders. It can enhance ministry and outreach efforts by offering the tools necessary to engage in meaningful and respectful interactions with Muslims.

For Further Reading

A Concise Guide to the Life of Muhammed: Answering Thirty Key Questions by Ayman S. Ibrahim (Baker Academic, 2022)

A Concise Guide to the Quran: Answering Thirty Critical Questions by Ayman S. Ibrahim (Baker Academic, 2020)

The Qur’an and the Christian: An In-Depth Look into the Book of Islam for Followers of Jesus by Matthew Aaron Bennet (Kregel Academic and Professional, 2022)

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EMQ, Volume 61, Issue 1. Copyright © 2025 by Missio Nexus. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from Missio Nexus. Email: EMQ@MissioNexus.org.