Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Original Title -- Original Copyright -- Contents -- INTRODUCTION -- CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE -- CHAPTER 1 Islam - a monotheistic and universal religion -- 1 Islam in relation to Judaism and Christianity -- 2 The originality of Islam -- 3 The personality of Muhammad -- 4 Islam - religion of conquest -- 5 Conquerors and conquered -- CHAPTER 2 The medieval Islamic world -- 1 The influence of Arabia -- 2 Urban development -- 3 Nomadism -- 4 The invasions -- 5 Internal factors of diversification -- 6 Production and exchange -- CHAPTER 3 Aspects of Islamic doctrine -- 1 The elaboration of 'law' and the science of the 'traditions' -- 2 The first theological discussions -- 3 The Mu'tazilite theses -- 4 Other theological schools -- 5 Shi'ism -- 6 The mystical current -- 7 The philosophical current -- 8 Schisms in history -- CHAPTER 4 Islam and the political order -- 1 The conceptions of power -- 2 Transmission and devolution of power -- 3 The exercise of power in the Sunnite world -- 4 The organisation of government -- 5 Prestige and ceremonial -- CHAPTER 5 Islam and the social order -- 1 Egalitarianism and privileges in early times -- 2 Social transformations in the 'Abbāsid period (750-1260) -- 3 Ethnic groups and social environments -- 4 Hierarchy and social tensions -- CHAPTER 6 Centres of civilisation -- 1 Towns and types of historic buildings -- 2 Islamic art -- CONCLUSION -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX