The image of Islam as an aggressive and xenophobic religion has long prevailed and can at times appear to be substantiated by current affairs. This work challenges this conventional view, with a historical overview ranging from Islam's early centuries to the present day.

pt. 1. THE HERITAGE: Setting the stage: Islam and Muslims -- Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in comparative perspective: an overview -- Muslim "church government" -- The historical bases of traditional Muslim and Christian political theory -- Unity and community -- The roots of political pessimism -- Muslim attitudes toward the state: an impressionistic sketch -- pt. 2. CONVULSIONS OF MODERN TIMES: Islam and politics in modern times: the great transformation -- Meeting the Western challenge: the early establishment response -- The early antiestablishment response to the Western challenge --From World War I to the 1960s: the years of muted Islamist politics -- The return of Islam? -- The radical Muslim discourse -- Al-Banna, Mawdudi, and Qutb -- Khomeini and the Shiite Islam -- Conclusion -- Islam and politics past and present: a bibliographical essay.