Two CP sets for Islam research, other options?

I haven't researched much in the topic of Islam, but have recently been asked questions by a Muslim on "our" views on Mohammed, etc. After just moving to a new city with a large Muslim minority, I think I might want to have some general answers to at least have productive discussions when asked these types of questions. These two items on CP stood out to me. 

http://www.logos.com/product/16300/islamic-studies-collection

http://www.logos.com/product/16423/the-works-of-samuel-m-zwemer

Since I would rather spend something in the neighborhood of $30 rather than $60 (the cost of both), I don't know which would be better. On the other hand one good resource (not listed) may be all that I have time to go through on this subject. I have more interactions with the "Post-Christian" or "nominal Christian" worldview, and that is more of a focus for me.

I also know that even after a CP resource closes, it could take forever to be produced. The one that closes next week is 4200 pgs, that has to take some time from bidding to delivery.

Any recommendations?

I have no idea how good they are, but you can get 2 English Quran translations for the unbeatable price of $0 by ordering the free Perseus Arabic Collection (4 vols.). 

Thanks for the recommendations. I had already downloaded the Perseus package for the free Quran translations. For me it is less important to find the real historical Mohammed, but an understanding of the Muslim view of Mohammed. What I'm looking for is my view of the general Muslim view and how that is incompatible with what I believe. "We" was in quotes for a reason :)

After thinking about it more and reading descriptions of the works in the Zwemer Collection, I'm bidding. I'm mainly interested in these titles:

• Islam: A Challenge to Faith - looks like a "timeless" history lesson.
• The Moslem Doctrine of God - Theological concepts that are probably still widespread.
• The Moslem Christ - same reason as "Doctrine of God"
• Islam and Missions - though outdated, could be a help with the background to each people group.

The purpose of these works are in the direction I'm looking for. On the other hand I do realize they are 100 years old. I'm actually not looking for high-level apologetics material as much as just trying to see where someone is coming from, and I'm not looking for a debating strategy. 

Thanks again.

Graham Owen:

but I think it is important to remember these are quite old and come from a period when Islam, like Christianity, had a different profile as a world and political as well as religious view/force.

I may get corrected by others who live among the Muslim communities but I do not believe Islamic beliefs are quite as fluid as modern Christianity. They seem to actually believe their book. I am aware of a few Muslim scholars who espouse equality of women and acceptance of homosexuality. But they tend to have a fatwa hanging over their head.

I have bids in for both CP resources and think they will be very relevant for interacting with today's Muslms.  ($60 for the both is a steal!)

Super Tramp:

...I do not believe Islamic beliefs are quite as fluid as modern Christianity

In my experience Muslims cover the same spectrum as Christians from fundamentalist to nominal with lots of stops in between, I would agree that the core beliefs of Islam remain unchanged but then I would also argue that the same is true about Christianity, the change is the way that people relate to those beliefs.

Super Tramp:

I have bids in for both CP resources and think they will be very relevant for interacting with today's Muslms

I have also bid and see these as a potential aid in understanding Islam.

Super Tramp:

Johann:

I'm actually not looking for high-level apologetics material as much as just trying to see where someone is coming from, and I'm not looking for a debating strategy. 

I don't want to box you in where you don't belong but does this mean you consider yourself a student of theology rather than a theologian in training? I read theology to try to understand others. I study the Bible to better understand God. 

What I was trying to avoid saying was that modern apologetics books that I have read haven't been useful for me. I wanted to avoid saying this because I know writers like Geisler are seen as a help for many. I read his "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist" and don't care to read anymore in this genre. I found the people he was answering weren't the people I was meeting. Not just Norm Geisler, but many like him. They are in one circle being a faithful witness to Christ, I seem to be in another. 

Am I a student of theology or a theologian in training? I don't know, sorry to dodge the question. I'm a cross-cultural witness, who hopes to never tire of studying Scripture or the application of it. I'm not planning on having any theological titles (or theological degrees for that matter), but I enjoy study. I doubt I'll ever write a book, but I'm trying to make disciples who I hope have a good theological base to compliment a love for Christ. 

Johann:

Am I a student of theology or a theologian in training? I don't know, sorry to dodge the question.

Well answered. 

Johann:

What I was trying to avoid saying was that modern apologetics books that I have read haven't been useful for me.

 I understand completely. I have and enjoy many apologetics books. I see a great value in them as tools for the purpose for which they are written.Their usefulness depends on the job you set out to do.

Johann, I find Parshall helpful, ditto Vivienne Stacy, pdfs free on St Francis magazine (but beware - the homepage has been hacked - my attempt to contact them led me to a page of info about viagra, which obviously didn't originate from interserve!  But I did succeed in downloading genuine pdfs from them!