The author reviews the contribution sociologists have made to our understanding of the role of religion in society. He examines the resurgence of fundamentalism in Christianity, Judaism and Islam and also explores the reasons why conservative movements such as the Mormons recruit so successfully.

Describes the complete history of Islamic jurisprudence from its origins, through the Medieval period, to modern times. This reissue demonstrates how, although religious law lies at the heart of Islamic culture, Islamic states have recently modified the law to meet society's changing values.