In this book, experts give an introduction to all important Islamic topics: The Beginnings, Muhammad, Hadit, Koran, Systematics: Theology, Philosophie, Ethics and Education, Law, Piety: Rite, Sufism, Religious order, Folk Religion, Shia, Culture: Historiography, Literature, Art and Architecture, Science; Challenges of modernity: Politics and Human Rights, Economics and Globalization, Women, Refomism and Islamism, Dialogue with non-Muslims. The strength of this introduction, which is to be used as a reference book, is the close connection between past and present: All topics are focused on systematically and historically as in their presence significance. This connection allows a deeper understanding of current debates for students and for non-professional interested people.