Page:The Moslem World - Volume 02.djvu/39

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A WORKING LIBRARY ON ISLAM
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for the English reader, exceptions are inevitable. There are certain French and German works which are indispensable because the ground is not covered by English writers. The list is general in that it deals not with any particular country or any particular sect of Islam; e.g., the missionary in Persia would need, in addition, to study the Shiah sect and Babism, while the missionary in Nigeria would read special works on the geography and history of that part of Africa as related to Islam.

I. General Works of Reference and Periodicals. Of the greatest value to the student, although wTitten from an Indian standpoint and not altogether up-to-date, is Thomas Patrick Hughes' Dictionary of Islam*[1] (London: W. H. Allen and Company, 1885; reprinted later). This is an encyclopedia of the doctrines, rites, ceremonials and customs, together with the technical and theological terms of the Mohammedan religion. More recent and far more extensive is the Encyclopedia of Islam, a dictionary of the geography, ethnography and biography of Mohammedan peoples, prepared by a number of leading Orientallsts and edited by M. T. Houtsma, T. W. Arnold and others. (London: Luzac and Co., 1911). Twelve parts have appeared; the whole work is to be completed in three volumes of fifteen parts each. The periodical literature on Mohammedanism is extensive, and important articles appear in all the leading missionary magazines. The three following, however, deal with this subject specially: Revue du Monde Musulman (Monthly; Ernest Leroux, 28 Rue Bonaparte, Paris; 25/- per year.) Der Islam (Quarterly; Karl J. Trübner, Strassburg; £1.) The Moslem World (Quarterly; 35 John Street, Bedford Row, London; 4/- per year.)

II. Pre-Islamic Arabia: the Sources of Islam. A. P. Caussin de Perceval, Essai sur l'Histoire des Arabes avant l'Islamisme, pendant l'Epoque de Mahomet, et jusqu'd la Reduction de toutes les Tribus sous la Loi Musulmaine. (3 vols. Paris, 1902.) This is a reprint of the original edition of 1847, and is a mine of information on the subject; generally reliable and authoritative. J.

  1. For significance of asterisks see end of article.