Carole M. Cusack and M. Afzal Upal, Introduction: Islamic Sects and Movements By Carole Cusack and M. Afzal Upal

https://www.academia.edu/44678746/Carole_M_Cusack_and_M_Afzal_Upal_Introduction_Islamic_Sects_and_Movements?nav_from=0cf06992-8360-4d60-ba54-561bf70d24db Given the presentation of Islam in popular media, it is not surprising that most Westerners (including some scholars) view the faith as a static, monolithic religion that clings fiercely to its seventh century roots, resisting any attempt at change. This is, of course, far from the truth. In common with other faith traditions, Islam has been a dynamic force from the start, with adaptations stemming from individual leaders, diverse ethnic populations, and the cultural contexts in which the religion took root. Christians and Jews, among other representatives of religious traditions, commented on Muḥammad, the prophet and founder of Islam, and identified resemblances between the new monotheistic religion and their own traditions.