socology of religion

The work currently under review, by M. A. Muqtedar Khan, professor at the University of Delware (USA) and expert in Islamic thought, governance and international relations, is a unique addition to the subject area, exploring new dimensions of Islamic political philosophy. A serious, critical evaluation of the subject-theory visa -vis practice-Khan challenges the many political understandings held by classical and modern Islamic political thinkers. Human minds (irrespective of their religious bents) have searched through the ages for a world order capable of providing peace and tranquillity to all people. Consequently, a number of political theories have emerged deliberating on the process and structure of governance and government. Disappointed with conventional forms of government (viz. democracy, secularism, socialism, republicanism and presidential) Muslim scholars have attempted to present a valid and universal alternative capable of transforming contemporary scenes of chaos and confusion into something resembling order. In the recent past, however, Muslim scholars and other Islamic reform movements have failed to convince humanity (especially people of different faiths) that the Islamic approach to good governance is the solution modern minds are searching for. As in his prior publication on Islamic political thought, Khan here presents his subject in a different and unique way, anchoring the political philosophy of Islam to its most recommended principle of ihsan (excellence). The book is a brief yet critical and comprehensive treatment of Islamic political thought spread over eight chapters, including an introduction (pp.1-8) and conclusion (pp.247-50). The book also contains a bibliography (pp.251-69) and index (pp.271-8). The book begins "the quest for a Political philosophy of Ihsan" by highlighting the philosophical and theological foundations of that