A discussion of how Muslim communities respond to social problems, including the rights of women, charity, education and general social welfare. The essays demonstrate how Islam offers guidance on these and other issues.

At a time when more nuanced understandings of Muslim countries and their legal and social practices are urgently needed in the West, the appearance of this collection is especially welcome. In these illuminating and accessible essays, the contributors explain how Islam sees itself in terms of social policy, how it treats women, and how it encourages charity, education, and general social welfare.