Book Description
In this startling new book, New York Times bestselling author Robert Spencer, provides a warts-and-all portrait of the Prophet of Islam and draws out what his life implies for reforming Islam and repulsing Islamic terrorists. Spencer relies solely on primary sources considered reliable by Muslims and evaluates modern biographies to show how Muhammad has been changed for Western audiences, lulling them into consoling but false conclusions.
Customer Reviews:
More fodder for the Hate Fire.......2007-10-19
I was interested in this book due to its posted claims and in order to learn more about the author's views about Islam. I myself am an American born Muslim scholar who has actually studied in Muslim circles although I have been raised entirely in the US and currently work in the medical field alongside my religious studies and duties.
As a scholar approaching this book, I discovered numerous errors - in fact they were so many that I could have written another book from the errors of the first 80 pages alone. Beyond the errors though I was far more concerned by something else that Mr. Spencer and his devoted fan-base clearly display - hate. I am a practicing Muslim which to many of Mr. Spencer's readers equates to being a terrorist, yet as a medical professional I instead spend my working days helping injured and sick Americans from all walks of life. This drive within me has been greatly nurtured by the Prophet Muhammad's teachings. In my Muslim community, as well as dozens of others that I have been privileged to visit around the US, I see Muslims working hard to be patient with much of the prejudice and hate directed their way by ignorant people who want to hold every Muslim responsible for 9/11.
It doesn't matter to them that Muslim scholars have gone online, on the radio and even on tv to disown Bin Laden and his errant ideas; it doesn't matter that in 9/11 and every incident of "Muslim" terrorism since even before that time that many Muslims were in fact part of the casualties as well; it doesn't matter that in recent surveys over 70% of Muslim-Americans report that they have experienced at least one incident of prejudice or hate as a direct result of their religious practices. So, the only thing I can see coming from works by alleged scholars such as Robert Spencer is an increase in hate, misinformation and confusion. You make the problem worse instead of contributing to any sort of a solution.
So for anyone who may read this who is sincerely interested in learning what Islam is really about and what the Prophet Muhammad really taught, I would suggest maybe learning about Islam from someone who actually practices it, someone who has actually studied it with Islamic scholars who can clarify some of the misconceptions and questions that may arise from reading through the Islamic scriptures. Some of the best authors in this regard are Dr. Ali Shehata Demystifying Islam: Your Guide to the Most Misunderstood Religion of the 21st Century, Yahiya Emerick The Life and Work of Muhammad (Critical Lives) and Charles Le Gai Eaton Islam and the Destiny of Man (Suny Series, Islam) among others.
One of the best ways to learn more about Islam and Muslims is to check with a Mosque in your area which will also give you the opportunity to actually meet Muslims - it may be that then you will see that the overwhleming majority of us Muslims are just as American, just as human and just as concerned about the threat of radical extremism in our religion as you are - and maybe then we can start building bridges of understanding, cooperation and mutual respect that can help us to actually put an end to the terrorist threat and allow everyone to get on with their lives in peace.
Oh political bias..........2007-10-04
While it is certainly true that Spencer utilizes recognized primary sources to construct his arguments, he fails entirely to place the sources in context, or interpret them in a manner consistent with the vast majority of Muslims. I find it heavily amusing that he believes so strongly in Islam's intolerance that he includes it in his title. The reason for this amusement is that up until modern times (Ottoman Empire forward), Islam was arguably the most tolerant of the three religions of the book. In addition to this, Islam is the only one of the three which allows for Muslims, Christians, and Jews to be judged equally (Al-Baqarah 112). When compared to Christianity's views on salvation, and its history of Conversion by the sword (1st-5th crusades, Spanish Inquisition), Islam looks quite tolerant.
take Spencer with a grain of salt. His citations of the hadiths, Qur'an, and other primary sources may be correct, but his conclusions are massively off. You would be better off reading the Qur'an yourself and making your own decisions, as it is fairly obvious that Spencer is merely playing off of America's current ignorance of Islam to paint a picture consistent with our stereotypes.
A Very Eye Opening Book!.......2007-10-03
This is a very eye opening book about the founder of one of the world's most dominant religions. The author uses Muslim references to obtain his facts. He also quotes Muslim scholars and what they have to say. It is not a long book, but it is packed with very informative and very eye opening information about Muhammad and his followers. This book will help people understand the ideas and motivation behind why so many Muslims in the Middle East and elsewhere can be dangerous. This is not a book on Muslims today, as a rule, but does greatly help one understand why many radical Muslims act as they do. It is an easy read and very informative. He explains why the Jewish people are looked down upon along with the Christians, and goes into why the various areas like Medina and Mecca are so important to Islam. I think this is a very good book for anyone wanting to greater understand the reasoning behind Islam, and the man that founded it.
Wht Everyone Needs to Know.......2007-10-01
This is a detailed exploration of the meaning of the Qur'an, and the sayings of Muhammad. Spencer informs the reader that the Qur'an is not set down in chronological order. Rather, it is arranged from longest verse to shortest verse.
As the word of God, the Qur'an can never be amended by man, but verses can be abrogated by God. God can change His mind, and make earlier verses void. However, those same voided verses must remain in the Qur'an, as God did not direct that the voided verses should be removed.
Spencer guides the reader through this confusion, by explaining which verses are still in effect. The reader needs to obtain one of the translations of the Qur'an, referenced by Spencer, inorder to be able to to lookup the Qu'ranic verses to which he refers.
The peaceful verses of the Qur'an, with regard to the treatment of nonbelievers, date from the Meccan period, when Islam was struggling to get established. Those verses of the Qur'an, added after Muhammad fled to Medina, exhort the believers to make war upon the nonbelievers, and to spread the religion by force.
Those who mantain that Islam is a religion of peace, are referenceing verses which have been abrogated, or voided,and are no longer in effect.
A must read for anyone seeking to understand Islam.
A Must Buy for those Intolerant of Islam and Muslims........2007-10-01
This is a good book for anti-Islamic enthusiasts. But if one is looking for a good book on Islam and Islam's Prophet Muhammad, I'm afraid one will have to look elswhere.
Firstly, many non-scholars who write books about Islam will not use normal hermeneutical principles when reading and interpreting Quran passages, even if they are biblical scholars who believe the Bible must be interpreted according to specific principles. For instance, several there are passages in several chapters of the Quran that give rules for defensive warfare. The early Muslim state was attacked by the rulers of Mecca who didn't want to remove the idols from the Kaaba because of the prestige Mecca had being the focus of worship for all the tribes of the Arabian Penninsula. Thus, the Meccan rulers declared war on the early Muslims, continuing the persecution against the early Muslims on a larger scale now that there was an Islamic state in Medina. It was not until then that Muslims fought any wars. Some chapters of the Quran will have passages without conditions when discussing warfare, but these passages must be interpreted by those passages which have conditions. Certainly, not all who call themselves Muslims follow that interpretative principle. But then, not all Christians have at all times and places have followed the traditional Christian view of a just war, either.
Secondly, after the death of Islam's prophet, the Islamic Government soon became imperialist. The Myth is that Islam was spread by the sword. However, later caliphs (successors to the Prophet) conquered lands so they get get the taxes from the Christians and Jews and Zoroastrians and others, despite the Quranic teaching that warfare must be defensive. Traditional Sunni Muslims usually believe their were only 4 very good Caliphs, the first 4 after the death of Islam's Prophet (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali Ibn Talib). Traditional Shia Muslims believe only Ali Ibn Talib (cousin of Muhammad and husband of his daughter Fatima) was a very good caliph. After the murder of Ali, the Caliphate became a dynasty of the Ummayad family. The first Ummayad ruler, Muhawiya, was the son of Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Meccans who became a Muslim after a treaty between the Muslim State and Mecca was broken by agents of the Meccans. Muhawiya's son, Caliph Yazid, demanded fealty from Ali's son Husain and would not let Husain and his followers go into exile. When Husain refused to give fealty to a Caliph that Husain believed openly did not emulate the Prophet, Yazid's army fought and killed Husain small group of follows and all but one of his sons. In the time of the Ummayad dynasty, the name of Ali was cursed within the Islamic caliphate. Many histories which came to be used by Sunni Muslims were written at the time of the Ummayads that sometimes have different accounts of early Islamic history than in the Shia books. These books are considered "authentic" by the Sunnis but are not considered to always be reliable by Shias.
Some examples of differences between one Sunni history or another, and one Sunni history and Shia history follow: Some Sunni histories say that Muhammad had a speck of "black" taken from his heart by the Angel Gabriel. Shias state that never happened. Some Sunni books state that that Muhammad didn't know he was supposed to be a Prophet and also that he was afraid and thought he was demon-possesed. Not so according to Shia books. One Sunni history states that Muhammad consumated his marriage to Aisha the daughter of future caliph Abu Bakr when she was 9 years old. What many anti-Muslim scholars will not tell you is that other Sunni histories say she was 14 or 15 years old, and that Shia books say she was 18, and that Muhammad was not really interested in marrying her but did so to please Abu Bakr and his party. Now, why would histories that paint Muhammad in a bad light be written during the Ummayad dynasty? Perhaps to undermine Ali and Husain and their supporters (who became know later as the Shia Muslims).
Thus, The Truth about Muhammad does not really give the whole truth about Muhammad. Why not buy the classic Sunni histories and read them for yourself. They are available in English translation. One can buy Shia books that discuss Muslim history from the Shia viewpoint (although not all the histories have been translated into English).
However, for those who don't want to understand Muslims, one can read this book. There are those who call themselves Muslims who don't want to try to understand Christianity or the West. What happens when one group doesn't want to understand the other? I believe the answer is too obvious to state here.
Book Description
A fresh look at Muhammad Asad's classic English translation and explanation of the Qur'an is offered in this redesigned and updated edition of his work. A new typeset and index is complimented with a prologue by the distinguished British Muslim Gai Eaton and original artwork by internationally renowned artist and scholar Dr. Ahmed Moustafa. Asad's translation is widely considered to be the foremost in conveying the meaning and sensibility of the original Arabic text, making this edition a must-have for English readers with a budding interest in Islamic studies and veteran scholars alike.
Download Description
The Message of the Quran is one of the most respected translations and commentaries of the Quran in existence in any language. The commentary is drawn from classical Islamic sources and contains in depth linguistic and historical information. Muhammad Asad was born in Austria in 1900 as Leopold Weiss and went on to become one of the foremost Muslim intellectuals of the 20th Century, as well as Pakistan's first ambassador to the UN.
Customer Reviews:
Unsurpassed English Interpretation.......2007-06-18
Just a short review as others have expressed better than I the unsurpassed job of interpretation of the Holy Qur'an into English which Asad was able to achieve - his interpretation and footnotes are far, far better than any before.
The layout of the book is also a gift to those who are learning Qur'anic Arabic: with English, Arabic, and a transliteration on one page (along with the all-enompassing guide to pronouncing the transliteration) Asad has provided a powerful tool to those who are students of Arabic.
A wonderful, wonderful work. The best interpretation of the Holy Qur'an in English that I've read, and a book of beauty printed on fine paper and with exceptional typography. This should be the standard text for all English speaking Muslims as well as any English speaking person desiring to raed the Qur'an in the very best interpretation.
My only complaint, and the reason I 'deducted' a star, is that the book with its fine heavy paper does not have a proper heavy-duty binding. After 2 or 3 weeks I had to have my copy re-bound as the cover began to tear off and the signatures began to break the stitching. I would hope that in subsequent editions the publishers would provide a better binding so that this text would not unravel after a short period of heavy use,
This is the best translation of the Quran in English.......2007-04-24
Of the translations I've read (Yusuf Ali, Dawood, Dr. Mohsin, Pickthall), this one by far contains most insight into the meaning of the Quran, command of both langauges (Arabic and English), ease of understanding, and authenticity of commentary (much of it is supported by classical commentators). While the Quran is impossible to truly translate, this is the best you'll find in English.
It's also interesting to note that the dude spent 6 years living with the Arab Bedouins, you can't get a more authentic Classical Arabic than that! He also knew Aramaic (the predecessor to Arabic) and Hebrew (a sister of Aramaic), which facilitated the creation of this translation (it took him 17 meticulous years).
An incredible translation and work of art!.......2007-03-05
Determined to find out the truth about Islam myself rather than rely on other people's impressions, I decided to read the Quran for myself. Over the last 2 years or so, I bought and tried about 3 different translations. I tried several times to get through the Quran, but found it difficult to wade through. I have read the entire Bible in the past, in the NASB translation, so I am not used to having trouble reading religious texts. I still needed to read the Quran, though. I found a website that discussed different translations, and the one by Muhammad Asad got good marks. So I decided to order a copy. I was not disappointed. The translation itself is wonderful - very readable and so much clearer to my American ears. Not only is the actual English translation of the Arabic excellent, but each page also contains Muhammad Asad's very learned and helpful commentary. I am grateful for this. In addition, the book itself - the physical book and its pages - is a work of art. I don't say this lightly - The book is filled with gorgeous calligraphy throughout. The pages are not thin onion skin like so many bibles - the paper is heavy and has a gloss which really shows off the art work and renders the text (the original Arabic, the English translation, and even the transliteration which is provided to help you sound out the Arabic should you so desire) crystal clear. This edition also contains essays and basic instruction on the Arabic system of writing. There is also an attached ribbon to keep your place. This edition is pure class - full of beauty both visual and textual. Definitely worth the cover price - especially if you are a native speaker of English trying to read the Quran for the first time. Also: this edition is promoted by CAIR, so I trust its orthodoxy.
The Message of the Quran by Muhamad Asad.......2007-03-02
Beautiful translation and explaination.
Use of classical commentators of the Quran was very helpful.
Clarifies many misunderstood concepts of the Quran.
I read and re-read again and again.
I do find this 'Message of the Quran' refreshing.
The best translation for non-Arabic readers.......2006-11-06
If you're sincerely after an understanding of the Qu'ran, either learn Arabic and read it (translations are not technically "The Qu'ran"), or buy this book! Like many of the translators of the Qu'ran, Asad was not born into the religion and was not a native speaker, but unlike the rest, he spent many years living among the Bedouin who are the only ones still speaking the Arabic in which the Qu'ran was written down. Modern Arabic is taught in schools and spoken by millions, but many of the words in the Qu'ran have fallen out of common usage, so even the best of scholars may almost be forgiven for not always getting it quite right. But in translatin the Qu'ran, it HAS to be right. The multiple meanings of the original words of the Qu'ran make faulty translations and confusion altogether too prevalent for Western readers. Asad was born a Polish Jew who discovered Islam and spent most of his life researching Qu'ranic language. He became a highly respected scholar, even in the Islamic world. He was a close friend of King Abdul Aziz (Ibn Saud), a confidant of the Indian poet Iqbal, and was appointed to represent Pakistan to the United Nations after India's partition. His translation and abundant footnotes are invaluable to anyone who is really looking to penetrate this 1400 year-old text. The Prologue by the English Islamic scholar Charles Le Gai Eaton is fascinating, the footnotes are a joy to read and extremely helpful in understanding the nuances of the words and context in which the verses were brought forth, and the book itself, with its gorgeous insertions of calligraphic art, is beautiful to look at. In many footnotes, Asad compares his own translations to that of Pickthall and several other translators and explains his choices and leaves the decision to the reader to accept or reject them. I never enjoyed reading introductions or footnotes until I got Asad's book. It's not exactly portable, since the original Arabic, as well as transliterations are presented along with the English, but it's worth its weight in gold. If you're trying to get an idea of what the Qu'ran is all about, this is the one for you.
Book Description
A revised edition of the internationally acclaimed biography of the prophet
• Includes important additions about the prophet’s spread of Islam into Syria and its neighboring states
• Contains original English translations from 8th and 9th century biographies, presented in authoritative language
• Represents the final updates made on the text before the author’s death in 2005
Martin Lings’ biography of Muhammad is an internationally acclaimed, comprehensive, and authoritative account of the life of the prophet. Based on the
sira, the eighth- and ninth-century Arabic biographies that recount numerous events in the prophet’s life, it contains original English translations of many important passages that reveal the words of men and women who heard Muhammad speak and witnessed the events of his life.
Scrupulous and exhaustive in its fidelity to its sources,
Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources is presented in a narrative style that is easily comprehensible, yet authentic and inspiring in its use of language, reflecting both the simplicity and grandeur of the story it tells. This revised edition includes new sections detailing the prophet’s expanding influence and his spreading of the message of Islam into Syria and its neighboring states. It represents the final updates made to the text before the author’s death in 2005. The book has been published in 12 languages and has received numerous awards, including acknowledgment as best biography of the prophet in English at the National Seerate Conference in Islamabad.
Customer Reviews:
A work of Art.......2007-09-06
Martin Lings delivers the story of the life of the Prophet Muhammad with accuracy and with a prose that is engaging and artful. Care is taken in crafting each sentence and what results is a moving account of Prophet Muhammad's life.
one of the best books .......2007-07-28
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. very well explained and detail oriented from the point of view of the muslims
Great book for those serious about Muhammad's life.......2007-06-07
This book is not a breezy read. It should be taken in slowly given all the information it provides. It is a must-have for every book collection on Islam and The Prophet. Martin Lings, a convert to Islam, did an outstanding job.
An exellent book, best of its kind in English.......2007-04-11
Well written band based on historical sources this is probably the best biography of the Prophet Muhammad that you can buy. Mr Lings has been criticized by some Muslims of the Salafi/Wahabbi school of thought (Bilal Philips to name one) who were critical of a number of points in the book. Mostly on the passage where he says on the conquest on Mecca when all images inside the Kaba were erased Muhammad placed a protective hand over that of Abraham. He does point out in the footnotes that according to other sources all images were removed so I do not understand why Mr Philips was so critical of him.
The book is extreamly well written and covers all of the historical details of Muhammads life including events leading up to his birth and a brief history of Mecca.
Highly recomended for anyone who seriously wants to know about the Muslim religion.
excellent.......2007-01-25
item was delivered promptly and in good condition..I was very satisfied with my purchase and would recommend this user to anyone!
Customer Reviews:
Stating the Obvious.......2007-09-14
For too many people, all religions are alike. Dr. Gabriel puts the focus on two major world religions and shows how different they really are. We are all familiar with Jesus's counsel to "turn the other cheek" to your enemy. Islam has a very different approach.
Also, Islam's condemnation of anyone who is not a Muslim (infidel) sets up a two-tier theocratic society wherever it rules. Apartheid in South Africa was based on skin color - this one is based on your religious beliefs. Both should be condemned just as strongly as an affront to universal values that promote equality of all men and women.
Buy the book and learn the differences. They are critical to know in this day and age.
Liar.......2007-09-13
it was a wast of Money
These Writer Claimed That he was A Muslim And he did Study in The Al Azhar Islamic Univesity ............ect. But i CAn tell from His Face that He never was A Muslim. Some one would say this is only a personal openion.... but i would say this writer intenionally used to lie on us tills wrongfull stories about the prophet Mohammad and if did study Islam in the Al azhar Uni. he would Known better.... but im sure this man just looking to make money from this cheap job and claiming that he knows the Islam better than any one
My letter to the writer is:
I Have seen a lot of the Egypyian Coptic trying to mislead Muslims and None Muslim ,and that is only another example in this case . if you dont like Islam Thats Fine with us we the Muslims ,you are free to choose, but to lie on us and our Prophet History this is not acceptaple, and not profisional attitued
Peace be Upon All The Prophets from Adams to the last Prophet of this life Mohammad Son of Abdullah
Scholarly comparison.......2007-08-23
The author quotes from the Quran and the hadith (which include Muslim practices and philosophy), both of which he knows well having memorized the Quran by age 12. He also knows the Bible well and quotes effectively from it in making his comparisons. Topically arranged, the book is easy to read and understand. Excellent! ! !
A most pointed differnce between Christianity ans Islam.......2007-02-23
The author compares the teachings and the life examples set by Jesus and Muhammad. There is a stark difference between the path of Peace taught by Jesus and the path of violent conquest to subject all others to Islam as portrayed by all the wars and bloodshed Muhammad led his people through by the example of his life and teachings. The author portrays this difference in contrast very well. This book challenges the concept of Islam as a religion of peace through Muhammad's own words and teachings as well as the life he lived as an example for fellow Muslims to follow. It offers a challenge for those that have eyes, ears, and a mind, which God gave them which they are willing to use.
A painful personal sacrifice for the truth.......2007-02-21
Dr. Gabriel questions put him direct conflict with the Egyptian Islamic secret police. The day after voicing concerns about Islam, Dr. Gabriel was kidnapped by the secret police. The secret police did not give him food or water for three days; they tortured him by hitting the bottom of his feet; they tried to force a confession and make him give reasons why he had renounced Islam.
Dr. Gabriels began to doubt Islam after analyzing the life of Mohammad; He started to ask questions liek why are followers of Allah slaves 2. why can't followers of Allah pray for forgiveness 3. why are women viewed as evil.
Dr. Gabriel found peace by reading the Beattitudes of Jesus; having suffered severe headaches, the scriptures provided a vision of peace and Dr. Gabriel converted from Islam to Christianty; his father upon hearing that Dr. Gabriel had converted from Islam attempted to shoot him with a gun.
Some interesting facts about Islam: 1. Only Allah can forgive and not even Mohammad claimed the power to forgive. A person will learned if Allah has forgiven him at the time of judgment when Allah allows him into paradise. A fighter for Allah receives forgiveness from Allah. 2. Mohammad taught Jesus Christ was not resurrected and the event was made to seem real to Jesus's followers. 3. Mohammad taught Jesus prayed to Allah and worshipped Allah. 4. Mohammad punished the conquered Mecca and Media by slaughtering the inhabitants. 5. A man may divorce his wife by saying "I divorce you" three times, and can not remarry her until she has been divorced from another man. 6. Warriors for Allah are promised paradise for their sacrifice and forgiveness for their actions. 7. Mohammad is Allah's prophet 8. The followers of Islam are taught to completely submit to the will of Mohammad without question, a sword on the neck. 9. Prayer must be given five times a day and any neglect to complete a prayer voids out the previous prayers for the day. 10. Special washing rituals must be done before prayer. A prayer rug is used when prayer to Mecca is not possible. 11. A man may have four wives. 12. Forgiveness of ones enemy is not required, one may chose to strike back nor not act. 13. Islam divides all people into three groups: slaves, believers, and unbelievers. 14. Mohammad retained 20 percent of soils from warrior and the remaining soils were divided among the warriors by fractional percentage. 15. There are 1.2 billion Islamic members in the world. 16. The Islamic bank is one of the fastest growing financial organization in history. 17. Each Islam member must pay a 2 percent tax to Mohammad. 18. Islam should be the world religion
Book Description
The Holy Qur,an was the revealation given to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) from Allah (God)by way of the Angel Gabriel (S.R.A.) approx. 1400 A.D.
Customer Reviews:
Islam teaches Hate, Intolerance, Murder and War!!.......2007-10-13
A good translation of the texts of the most evil and intolerant religions in the history of man. You have heard Islam is a religion of peace and love. It is not read the Koran. Islam is a religion that teaches Hate, Intolerance, War and Murder.
According to Islam Non believers (anyone who is not Muslum) have only three choices, 1. Conversion to Islam, 2. Subjugation (slavery) and 3. Death.
The Koran teaches Hate and intolerance on every page. Muslums are tought to hate and distrust all non-muslums. Which of course makes it absolute folly to try to engage Muslums in any kind of negotiation or contract.
Dont listen to the Muslums, and the politically correct Muslum apologists
READ THIS BOOK AND LEARN THE TRUTH YOURSELF. ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF HATE!!
Holy Quor"an.......2007-05-08
This is the best translation into
English Holy Quor'an in my opinion. I bought this as a gift for a friend of mine.
Excellent Translation of a Death-Cult's Unholy Writs!.......2007-04-03
This is an excellent translation of the "unholy" book of the death-cult commonly known as "Islam". In this book, you'll learn that: Jews are pigs; infidels should be beheaded; a woman's testimony in court is worth 1/4 of a man's testimony; jihad (struggle) against the infidels is mandatory, until the infidels all are either killed or converted; and much, much more!
Recommended!
If only all versions of the Qur'an were this beautiful.......2006-04-22
I will preface this note by referring to the other comments here about how well researched this translation is and mention that probably about 900 of the 1300 pages of this volume are the translator's detailed explanations of exactly why he translated things the way he did. You'll see in other reviews as well that not only Ahmadis (the author was one of the immediately followers of the founder of the Ahmadi movement) but many others consider this to be without doubt the best translation of the Qur'an into English.
All I can say is I wish the world would read and understand the Qur'an as translated here. I am not a Muslim but a long-time student of early Christianity, and I came to read this Qur'an in an effort to try to understand the increasing number of comments by many Western scholars in recent years that, of all the world's present religions, that which probably represents Jesus' actual teachings is Islam. I can now see why they say this. Islam, as embodied in this translation of the Qur'an, is nothing short of a noble, highly ethical, and peaceful religion.
In case these comments should be seen as "Christian-bashing," I should mention that not only are Ahmadis, from whose ranks Maulana Muhammad Ali came, generally not recognized as Muslims by the bulk of Muslims, but they are even outlawed and actively persecuted in some Muslim areas. And yet, even mainstream Muslims seem to agree that this is the best translation!
In our presently very troubled world, if the scholars are correct that indeed the actual teachings of Jesus are most similar to at least Qur'anic Islam, as revealed in Maulana Muhammad Ali's translation, it would appear that Jesus' teachings are equally misunderstood by a very large number of both Christians and Muslims.
read quran.......2006-02-10
Slave of Allah, the bigot islamophob. Your tactic is akin to when the KKK was scaring white People about Blacks moving next to them and marrying their daughters, You and Mustafa are the same. But your plan is weak .
You can read the Quran and see that Allah wants people of all different races to know each other and cooperate with each other. You on the other hand, with your racist and xenophobic attitude will not succeed in your plan.
Book Description
'Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful one who taught by the pen, who taught man what he did not know.' The Qur'an, believed by Muslims to be the word of God, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad 1400 years ago. It is the supreme authority in Islam and the living source of all Islamic teaching; it is a sacred text and a book of guidance, that sets out the creed, rituals, ethics, and laws of the Islamic religion. It has been one of the most influential books in the history of literature. Recognized as the greatest literary masterpiece in Arabic, it has nevertheless remained difficult to understand in its English translations. This new translation is written in a contemporary idiom that remains faithful to the original, making it easy to read while retaining its powers of eloquence. Archaisms and cryptic language are avoided, and the Arabic meaning preserved by respecting the context of the discourse. The message of the Qur'an was directly addressed to all people regardless of class, gender, or age, and this translation is equally accessible to everyone.
Customer Reviews:
The best English version of the Qur'an.......2007-02-22
No other translation of the Qur'an is as accurate, elegant, or readable. Behind this translation, I would choose the Yusuf Ali translation, although the language style is archaic in that it imitates the King James Bible; this makes it rather tough to read through, although it is still pretty accurate and beautiful. This translation, however, is far superior, in my opinion. The notes and introduction are both extremely helpful, although it is not as complete as a full commentary would be. Before I read this translation, I had a strong contempt for Islam and its teachings. But after reading Haleem's English rendition of the religious text, I have developed an understanding and even a respect for Islam that I had not before. I highly recommend this translation to all English speakers who wish to learn about the Qur'an.
Best translation ever.......2006-11-04
Most readable, easy flowing accurate to the largest possible extent. I unse it all the time. Highly recommended.
Good translation of the Q'uran.......2006-10-23
With relations between the West and the Islamic world worsening rapidly, a better understanding of Islam and its roots is badly needed in the West.
One major barrier between understanding Islamic culture is the key sacred text, the Q'uran, has been little studied in the West, and until recently, good translations were unavailable. Many Qurans were translated into the same sort of english as the King James Bible, and not a glint of the Quran's revevered poetic beauty was reflected in such translations.
Thankfully, better translations in modern English are being made by leading Islamic scholars who have a more sensitive ear to the poetry of the Quran, as well as a better understanding of the influence and appeal this text has for believing Muslims.
Like all great works of literature, especially a poetic one like the Quran, its power and beauty can only be appreciated in its original language. This is why Muslims often say the Quran is untranslateable, but when one hears a verse of the Quran being sung aloud with a little knowledge of Arabic, the beauty (while unfortunately not fully understandable) does start to become apparent.
But, even in translation, when read carefully the Quran still has great beauty from a literary viewpoint. The most beautiful part of the Quran in my view is the 'Light' surah, which compares God to a light whose glory fills the entire cosmos. This surah has been a favourite with Sufis, Islamic theologians like Al-Ghazzali, and also Muslim philosophers as well.
While the Quran does contain descriptions of violence and its style is often difficult to read for the Westerner, it is important to study this work with patience and try and see it as an organic whole rather than a fragmented jumble of poems. It is in this sense the deep underlying unity of the Quran and its theology (which reflects the unity of Allah, the divinity in Islam) becomes apparent, especially in the names of God.
A good knowledge of this religious classic is becoming indispensible in a world where Islam is becoming more important to understand from a global perspective.
Good all around.......2006-08-17
I own multiple translations of the Qur'an, including those by N.J. Dawood, J.M. Rodwell, A. Yusuf Ali, Muhammad Asad, and Thomas Cleary. Each has its strong and weak points (for example: Dawood's is clear and readable, but heavily edited and incomplete). This translation strikes a fine balance in terms of both the translated text and the features accompanying it.
Abdel Haleem's translation is, even more than N.J. Dawood's, a preservation of the thunder and power of the original. His work is full of startling immediacy. A large reason for this effect is the language Haleem employs in his translation. Unlike other translations that seek to place the Qur'an in a King James idiom (Rodwell, Ali, Pickthall), Haleem opts for more contemporary usage and sentence structure. This means that, in some part, the poetic feel of the original Arabic is lost. However, as a useful work for study of the text, Haleem's translation is easily accessible.
He provides short introductions for each surah containing information on where that surah was revealed along with key background information on its content. Discreet notes throughout guide the reader through difficult historical allusions and religious concepts.
Haleem also provides a comprehensive introduction that covers the basics: what Islam is and what the Qur'an is, but also finds time to discuss Islamic-Christian relations in the Qur'an and the line of English translations leading up to Haleem's. The introduction also tackles contemporary issues of interpretation, such as the infamous 'Verse of the Sword,' demonstrating how these issues can be resolved in translations.
Haleem's work is a fine all-around volume, suitable for anyone approaching the Qur'an for the first time or continuing a deeper study of the book.
Mindset makes all the difference.......2006-05-09
In response to the person who claims that there was a mistake in the Qur'an: you are bending God's words to fit your own close minded point of view. God did not say that the Sun did set in a pond, but rather, that is how the man (Alexander the Great) saw it. If you read the Qur'an without the intent of finding faults in it, you would not find any; that's because there are none! However, tests of faith such as these are set up throughout the book so that if you do try to find fault in them, you will.
However, if you start the book from a neutral standpoint, and read from other sources from BOTH viewpoints, you will find that there are only flaws in the arguments of those who don't believe the Qur'an. Their views are based up on biased subjects such as how women should be treated, where the arguments for the Qur'an are compromised very largely of facts. The Qur'an is a book of signs, so if you take the time to look for them there is no doubt you will change your views for the better.
Book Description
According to countless mainstream news organs, Elijah Muhammad, by far, was the most powerful black man in America. Known more for the students he produced, like Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan and Muhammad Ali, this controversial man exposed the black man as well as the world to a teaching, till now, was only used behind closed doors of high degree masons and shriners. An easy and smart read.
Customer Reviews:
Message to the Logical Minded in the World.......2007-07-09
Although I am an admirer of many things The Honorable Elijah Muhammad stood for, such as the economic development of Black communities (although that's destined for failure within a larger capitalistic framework in America) and his anti-imperialist stance, many of his teachings are to be sharply criticized on logical grounds. I attended Mosque #1 in Detroit, Michigan for almost a year, have read all of Elijah Muhammad's book, and listened to most of his speeches released on audio cassettes, so I believe I am qualified to speak on the Nation of Islam.
Elijah Muhammad's first mistake is that he presupposes that the Bible and Qur'an are true, so he quotes them with authority to "validate" what he's saying. Did it ever occur to him that the credibility of both books relies simply on "faith", and the dependability of the existence of many characters in the Bible is called into question? So before he even quotes the Bible or Qur'an, it'd be nice to see him substantiate them.
Second, the Yacub myth is utter nonsense, and no scientist in the world corroborated this version based on what Fard said, and nothing more. While it's a confirmed fact that human origins lie in Africa, the means by which all other races were "created" cannot be said to have been done by a genetic experiment by a big headed scientist named Yacub with his thousands of followers, also to have been predicted 8,400 years in advance by 24 other scientists (where is the proof for that?). Apparently Elijah Muhammad is not aware why different people have different physical features, based mostly on climate. For example, curly hair and dark skin is advantageous for people living in hotter climates, while lighter skin and additional body hair is beneficial to people in colder areas. But to the mind of Elijah Muhammad, he manufactures a correlation to these differences to make one good and the other evil. Interesting.
He also claims throughout the book that whites are evil "by nature", thus exposing his ignorance to genetics, mirroring what white supremacists say about Blacks, Asians, and Latinos. There is absolutely *zero* scientifically evidence that due to one's "race", they're intrinsically good or evil. In fact, scientifically, "race" is a completely invalid taxonomy, as only 6 out of 30,000 genes contribute to what we stupid humans call "race" (hair texture, skin color). "Race" is a socially constructed notion that has no scientific value, although during the time Elijah Muhammad lived, one can understand why he considered whites "evil"; but that doesn't make it true.
There are other illogical parts, and some that are downright silly; like when he said that gorillas are the product of white people trying turn back Black via reverse breeding...I had to laugh at that part, as it requires no scientific proof to make such a claim. So Elijah Muhammad is no different than other religions: illogical, irrational beliefs based on presuppositions and no verification.
Anton Batey
Anton_Batey@yahoo.com
The Devil is a Liar.......2007-04-05
I am not attacking anyone's belief's but let us be sensible. Why would God create a religion that catered to only one race but create a multi racial universe? God is not a fool, nor is He a liar. I read this book in the 70's when everyone was flocking to the NOI because we did not know who we were and whose we were. We were fed a bill of goods that the devil was the "white man". Well, all folks have issues and don't always deal with people honestly including the NOI, Baptists, Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses, and the list goes on. On that day of Judgment, God will be not looking at my membership in a religious organization, but my obedience to His Word and His Holy Son Christ Jesus. Therefore, when I read my Christian Bible I understand that Jesus died so that I may live and that He died for my sins and because He was God in the flesh He was able to erase whatever I did before I confessed Him as my Lord and Savior. I also understand that it does not matter what any man says about me, it only matters what God says about me. He tells me that I am His and greater is He (Jesus) that is in me than he (Satan) that is in the world. We as people of God's universe need to examine where our beliefs are taking us and what has stood the test of time. Men have for centuries tried to disprove that Jesus existed, died and rose from the grave and none theologically or scientifically can prove that He did not do what is written about Him.
I will give Elijah Muhammad credit for lifting black men off of their knees and putting them on their feet, but I do not think it is healthy to worship him like he is a god. He was man, he died and to the best of my knowledge is still dead. Whatever his fate is in the hereafter is up the Lord, not me. Final note as I told one of my adult sons when he made a comment about a "blond haired, blue eyed Jesus". I asked him who said that Jesus had blond hair and blue eyes, when I read Genesis 2, it says that I am made in the image of God, therefore I see God in me and dark skin. He said make no graven images of Him. Men chose to do that because of ignorance and because they listen to voice of Satan rather than follow the Word of God. Read your Bible, study and meditate and it will change your life. I spent six years as a muslim - nothing has done me like Jesus!
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many - Matt. 24:15.......2006-07-23
Let me just say I respect the NOI and it's leaders, particulary Mister Farrakhan. However, the doctrine they are following is false. Many former Christians and non-christians have been led astray by a religion that is supposedly the black man's religion, and the false pretense that Allah and Jehovah are the same God. However, just because something caters to a particular ethnic group doesn't mean it's right(liquor stores in black low income neighborhoods). In addition if the God of Islam is the same God of Christianity then their messages shouldn't contradict each other! The bible was written thousands of years before "Message to the Black Man". If Elijah Mohammed quotes the bible(which he does many times in this book) to prove his teachings then that means the bible has precedecence because it is the older source. Therefore, if anything Elijah Mohammed says CONTRADICTS the bible (Farrad Mohammed was the Messiah who came in 1930????) you have to reject Elijah Mohammed, the latter source. Judge Christianity by Jesus the Christ not so-called hypocritical Christian leaders from slavery times and beyond. If your tires go flat you fix not buy another car. Let's fix the Christian church so we all (black, white, red, )can go to heaven.
Greatest Book Ever Written for the upliftment of the Black man and woman.......2005-08-09
The Message To The Blackman in America was my first encounter with a Real Powerful Black man dedicated to God (Allah) who was successful in life at bringing us together for the establishment of a Righteous, Peaceful, Equal and Harmonious civilization right here on earth NOW!
With that said,
Islam - means "Peace" and the only way to have peace and to affect peace into this world is through - Submitting your Will to do the Will of God (Allah). By aligning our Mind and Will with the Will of God all things become possible.
The Nation of Islam (NOI) does not teach "Arab Culture" as Arab Culture for some strange reason has become identified with Islam. So do not pick up this book expecting to learn about Arab Culture. The Hon. Elijah Muhammad nor Min. Farrakhan teaches Arab Culture and many who claim Islam are angry with them and their followers for this reason alone. It teaches Islam as defined by God (Allah) and the Holy Quran.
The Hon. Elijah Muhammad said he met with God (the Supreme Being) in the Person (or physical appearance) of Master Fard Muhammad. That He (Master Fard Muhammad) proved clearly to him that he was indeed who he said he was, God.
Now, if The Hon. Elijah Muhammad has indeed met with God (Allah) and submitted his Will to do the Will of God (Allah), then he should be successful in the Mission that God (Allah) has given him, which The Hon Elijah Muhammad says is to uplift Black people in America. Which means to me, waking them up to who they really are and showing them by example what the can have here and now. Once that is done, to take what we have and give it to humanity for thhe establishment of peace.
Lets look at the outcome of his meeting, learning and travels with Master Fard Muhammad whom he says is God (Allah in Person) and whom he spent approx. 3 years learning from. Learning what, according to the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, the Science of Everything.
He goes from another barely employed black man on welfare with a family to feed, to a successful Leader, Teacher, Businessman, Author, Philanthropist and Servant of God.
He builds a religious organization, the Nation of Islam with mosques in every major city in America. The basic teaching being the obedience to God (Allah) and the buiding of a Righteous Civilization.
He creates an educational system (ACTUAL SCHOOLS) throughout America, the University of Islam (k-12). Students learning the basics of any educational system but General Discipline, Civility, the Knowledge of Self and the importance of Unity and duty to your people as well.
He builds and Entreprenuerial Business empire:
Muhammmad Speaks Newspaper distributed nationally.
An Import Business rooted in Fish by which he could wean Blacks off of the harmful Pork we were indulging in every day of the week.
Books Stores that sold books he authored on How to Eat to Live, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Books on the Theologyy of God (Allah) and Time.
HE SETUP HIS OWN - trucking, shipping and distribution company by which products of the Nation (NOI) could reach people throughout thhe country and the world.
Several restaurants, barbershops and other smaller businesses were created as well. It is said that in 1975 the Nation of Islam was worth tens of millions of dollars.
He gives us a functional history and origin of Black and all other peoples of the earth. A history that scholars keep alluding to but also keep avoiding. Read "The Making of the Whiteman" by Paul Lawrence Guthrie annd "The Destruction of Black Cvilization" by Chancellor Williams
MOST IMPORTANTLY, he affected positive change in life for thousands of Black men and women socially, educationally, politically, financially and spiriitually. He made weak men strong, he gave dumb people (like myself) the desire to speak intelligently and boldly to any and everyone. He elevated the position of the Woman in the society of the NOI to that of Co-creator with God as opposed to the secondary negatively connotated position usually afforded her in the church. He transformed crooks, thugs, gangbangers into reflections of God!
Now FOUR very important things that stick out here in my mind:
1) ALL THIS FROM A MAN WHO SAYS HE MET WITH GOD (ALLAH).
2) ALL THIS DONE WITHOUT THE SPONSORSHIP, BENEVOLENCE and ASSISTANCE OF WHITE PEOPLE.
3) HE, A BLACK MAN IN AMERICA IN THE 1930'S, 40'S, 50'S 60' AND 70'S CREATES ALL THIS WHILE ATTRACTING AND UNIFYING THOUSANDS OF OTHER BLACKS AND NEVER ONCE TEACHING "LETS GO BACK TO AFRICA"
4)AND DOES THIS WHILE MAKING CLEAR WHO THOSE ARE THAT DISRUPTED OUR CIVILIZATION AND PEACE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Such a man to my knowledge does not exist outside of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Its no wonder he was able to attract and create a Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, Muhammad Ali, Clarence 13X and many many more.
Oh and before you take for actual fact what others outside the NOI have to say in regards to Malcolm X at least listen to a full discussion of it by those who were in the NOI. For example, to say that Malcolm saw White muslims for the first time when he went to Mecca is not true. The Hon. Elijah Muhammad had already sent Malcom to Egypt years before that on behalf of the Nation of Islam where he saw white muslims then.
Read this book! Listen to thhe tapes Min. Louis Farrakhan has done on what really happened wiith Malcolm X ([...]). In one tape in particular the same women who had children by the Hon. Elijah Muhammad speak their peace as to what happened.
THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THE MEDIA PAINTS THEM TO BE - Which is usually the case when it comes to Black people in America.
Lastly, the first Arab people were Black people! Arabic is an Afroasiatic language, in other words, we created it ("African Origin of Civlization"). So for the Hon. Eliijah Muhammad to speak highly of the Arabic language is only to speak highly of our ingenuity. To speak highly of a people whom Prophet Muhammmad (PBUH) uplifted from idolotry and unified through the Quran, is to speak highly of what can be done with us.
The Message To The Blackman in America was my first encounter with a Real Powerful Black man dedicated to God (Allah) who was successful at bringing us together for the establishment of a Righteous, Peaceful, Equal and Harmonious civilization right here on earth NOW!
Peace
"ISLAM IS AS GUILTY AS CHRISTIANITY!".......2005-07-29
First, before you read this you should know that I have NO religious affiliation, so I am not trying to sway anybody.
Elijah Muhammad met W.D Fard Muhammad and became the prophet for the Nation of Islam. For the record it should be said, that the images of Fard, were that of a half white, half arab man. He looked in no way black. When Fard Muhammad(the godman of the Nation of Islam) was arrested he proclaimed himself a "White Man"(taken from the book Elijah Muhammad:An original Man). This might come as a surprise to his followers seeing as he had a message to the Black Man. Also what disturbes me most is, they sit here and preach Islam to you, and won't even mention the thousands of African slaves their are to Islam and the Arabs right now in Sudan. They won't say how many blacks in Africa are ashamed to say they are "Black and African," and would rather be classified, as anything but that. By changing our name from European names to Arab names, were just pushing off our Christian slave name and picking up our Arab slave name. Furthermore Elijah Muhhamed is responsible for "8" children out of wedlock. He was a total contradiction to the laws he was suppost to uphold. Look at those who knew better and were around at the time of the zenith of the movement. Muhammed Ali was once a member, but now he is a Sunni Muslim. Malcom X or El-Hajj Malik El-Shabbaz was a member that was killed for taking himself out of the movement. Clarence Smith, the founder of the Nation of Gods and Earths or 5%, was also killed for leaving. This is not a mistake and this is not a coincedence. When Malcom X made his Hajj he didn't even know that whites could be Muslims. He was embarrased because he didn't know anything of the Arabic script.
In the end, Islam and the Arab, is just as guilt as Christianity and the European. We do not need to create myths, to make ourselves feel superior, or make anyone else feel inferior. Dig into the African history starting with Kemet(or Egypt). "IN AFRICA, AND EVEN ALL OVER THE WORLD THE AFRICAN PREDECESSORS LEFT US CLUES TO TELL THEIR OWN STORY. THEY DON'T NEED US TO MAKE IT UP FOR THEM." Research people like Ivan Van Sertima, John Henrick Clarke, Dr. Ben, Runoko Rashidi, Gerald Massey, John G. Jackson, Ashrwa Kwesi, Cheich Anta Diop, and they will teld you. We do not need myths to create history. The history speaks for itself.
Book Description
The Prophet Mohammad brought his vision of the word of God to the Arabs, and within a generation of his death, his followers—as vivid a cast of heroic individuals as history has known—had exploded out of Arabia to confront the two great superpowers of the seventh century and establish Islam and with it a new civilization.
The Heirs of the Prophet Mohammad is a swaggering saga of ambition, achievement, self-sacrificing nobility and blood rivalry. In it, acclaimed historian Barnaby Rogerson recounts the lives of the handful of individuals--the first four Caliphs, the Prophet's widows and the conquering generals--who led and influenced Islam after the death of Mohammad.
Within this fifty-year span of conquest and empire-building, Rogerson identifies the seeds of discord that destroyed the unity of Islam and traces the roots of the schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims to the rivalry of the two people who best knew and loved the Prophet: his cousin and son-in-law Ali and his wife Aisha.
Customer Reviews:
The First Four Caliphs.......2007-08-13
This is an extremely well-written book that details the history of Islam during the 30 or so years after the death of the Prophet. Not knowing much about this religion, and particularly the reason for the animosity betwen Shia and Sunni, I was compelled to read and learn. I must admit that the author handles all of the history and the main characters quite well, and never denigrates their view of the faith. Having read this book, I'm really at a loss as to why there is this split in Islam, for the differences between the two sides appears to be extremely minor. Of course, Chirstianity has split over many more trivial items of doctrine, the most conspicuous of which is the use or non-use of "filioque" in the Creed. To learn about one of the world's great religions, and its early leaders, this book is an essentail read.
Great help understanding the Shia, Sunni Divide.......2007-08-10
Reads like a mystery. The geography, paganism, sectism, perversity, mercantialism- and not to forget treachery,blood and gore, make this book a great read. Connects the dots from heir to heir to the leadership of ancient Islam. identifies the Prophets wives and tells you enough to get to know them. Most importantly, I grew to understand why the Shias think they were so hard done by.
The heirs seem to prefer age over 'ability,' not that anyone was obviously better than the next. The Shia- followers of Ali- were 'meritocratic'. I see why they think Ali paid his dues first, took great risks, was the first male convert e.g. while the elders, Abu Bakr, Omar and Uthman, seemed to inherit the leadership in chronological order. However each did a great job while Caliph
Growth of misogyny after the death of Mohammad evolved from subsequent leaders.Mohammad loved and respected women- he appears to have married about a dozen.
Heirs of a Faith, Creators of an Empire.......2007-06-24
THE HEIRS Of MUHAMMAD by British journalist and travelogue author Barnaby Rogerson is both a thoroughly researched and quite enjoyable recounting of nascent Islam's first century and the origins of its split into Sunni and Shi'a factions.
Rogerson has gone to great lengths with this book to show that Islam, like all mass movements, was troubled by factionalism and in-fighting even before the death of the Muhammad. In Part 1 he details the rivalries amongst the Prophet's wives (called here by their respectful title, "the Mothers of the Faithful"), the roots of Aisha's lifelong hatred for Ali, and the rise in importance of such former adversaries of the Islamic faith as the Umayyad clan of the Quraysh and various other families, clans and tribes, who were now jockeying for leadership in the growing Muslim state.
Part 2 opens with the death of Muhammad and the institution of the politico-religious office of leadership known as the Caliphate. Abu Bakr is chosen over Ali as Muhammad's successor - and thus the origin of the Sunni/Shi'a split. Rogerson also recounts another event little known to most non-Muslims: the Ridda Wars. Also called the War Against Apostasy, these were a series of battles fought to bring rebellious Bedouin and settled Arab tribes back under Islamic rule. It is here that the author shows the complex political and religious makeup which existed in the Arabian peninsula: Arab clients of the Roman emperor in Constantinople, Arabian tribes under Persian cultural and political influence, or tribes and clans who desired not only to revert back towards indigenous pagan cults but also to the Christianity that they had only recently adopted before adopting Islam itself.
Most noteworthy also is Rogerson's history of the wars which would ultimately lead to the Arab conquest of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
The Arab victories over the Roman Empire and its eventual conquest of Sassanid Persia -at the battles of the Yarmuk (636) and al-Qadisiya (637) respectively- altered forever the racial, religious, and political developments of not only the Middle East, but of Christendom (and thus Western civilization) as well. Suprisingly, however, very little has been written on these two supremely major events for the average reader of history. So, for his detailed account of these battles alone, Rogerson's HEIRS Of MUHAMMAD, is an exceptional and worthwile read.
With the long-awaited election of Ali as caliph, Rogerson illustrates the new religion's rising tensions in philosophies and practices. Would Islam -born out of strife- remain a religion of conquest? Or would it nuture and encourage its more spiritual and universal aspects, best exemplified in the personalities of Ali and his sons Hasan and Hussein.
The political rise of the Machiavellian Mauwiya upon the death of Ali and his Umayyad Dynasty's subsequent persecution and many attempts at the annihilation of the Prophet's very bloodline should help to answer these questions.
Barnaby Rogerson offers an excellent and fair-minded history of Muhammad's later years and the early Caliphate. Writing it filled with all the drama and intrigue, war and conflict of an epic. For this was a time filled with the people and events which utterly define the word of epic.
holds the reader's interest throughout.......2007-06-22
We don't have many books relating to this era which are not only completely unbiased but also encompasses all the major personalities of earlier Islam in a narrative which holds the concentration of the reader through every page. This book accomplishes all of it. It expertly shows how Abubakr firmly established the writ of the Caliphate over Arabia, and held the budding nation together. Omar in addition to bringing down the main world powers of that era, also established a system of justice rarely seen ever since. Uthman despite all the accusations thrown on him, did not flinch from his principles till the very end, sacrificing his life rather than shedding anyone's blood. Ali was the true model of piety. Another great aspect of this book is showing the gradual disintegration of Muslims-not only politically but ethically as well, illustrated by the events of Prophet's own grandson losing his life to people belonging to his own faith, and the attack on the holiest of sites in Islam-the Kaaba-by a group of Muslims themselves.
great book for even muslims.......2007-06-06
i thought i knew islam but apparently humbled by this author who seems to be an excellent authority.
a must read for all to understand islam. what the movie THE MESSAGE did for muslims and non muslms, this book too ultimately lays the foudations for understanding and dialouge between faiths and cultures. since islam is the fastest spreading religion on the planet i would like all recent converts to also read this book so as to get an idea of the system and history of the religion. this religion was bullt on GOD sending down the WORD but then there was statesmenship, inspirational leadership of the likes that unfortunately we are not destined to see either in the muslim or the non muslim world... take a look at bush and blair....
this book analyses why we have the sunni and shiite, why so similar and yet so dissimilar so as to want to kill each other. i am sunni and i have actually understood more about the shiite and sympathise wholeheartely with them for ali. we all love ali, hussain and hassan. the only thing is if we did not venerate the prophet why shall we worship and ascribe supernatural powers to mere humans. after all they were killed by humans and they bled and died. obvioulsy this scjizm is not going to stop..its time for the shiite to put aside their hate for the sunnis as they believe they are the ali and his family killers. what they dont understand is that the sunni too are in remembrace and in pain for the horrible killing of ali and his family. but its politics and yes we remember ali, mourn with the shiite on muharram as it is our new year but we cast it as a black day. there are many of us who mourn on that day too. does that make us more shiite or any less sunni. ridiculous this division between us. the superimposition of extra quranic injunctions is the real reason that the sunni seethe at the shiite audacity of even supplementing the quran.that is one area where we are billions of miles apart.
geting back to this book i actually learnt alot of detials that i had no chance of learning in this busy technological world. wonderful book and great information.
well till a better time where faith, equality, liberte and fraternite resonate together for all mankind.
peace
Book Description
Avoiding the traps of sensational political expose and specialized scholarly Orientalism, Carl Ernst introduces readers to the profound spiritual resources of Islam while clarifying diversity and debate within the tradition. Framing his argument in terms of religious studies, Ernst describes how Protestant definitions of religion and anti-Muslim prejudice have affected views of Islam in Europe and America. He also covers the contemporary importance of Islam in both its traditional settings and its new locations and provides a context for understanding extremist movements like fundamentalism. He concludes with an overview of critical debates on important contemporary issues such as gender and veiling, state politics, and science and religion.
Customer Reviews:
Nothing better.......2005-11-19
This is a splendid book for anyone who is trying to understand Islam. No other book situates Muslim concerns in global contexts and thoughout history. The author is a master at clear writing. In my experience when I have recommended this book to people, they come back with smiles on their faces and a new view of today's world. It does not get any better than this for students and the open minds outside the academy. Clean your glasses and read it again, fellow reviewers.
The Same Old Song.......2005-10-25
I began to read this book because I thought it would help clear up some of my western baggage (choke, choke). After all, how can we in the West even begin to understand Muhammad. But lets mention the good parts first. Ernst does mention the numerous accomplishments of Islam in the fields of medicine, art and spiritualism (the Sufis). He pays particular attention to the influence of the Greeks on Islamic thought. He does not say, but hints, that the writers of the Quran were probably influenced by Greek philosophers.
However, this book is not really about Muhammad at all as one can not go through any chapter with seeing the following 2 words: 1.colonialism and Orientalism. Sure, one can read that Muhammad is seen as an ongoing model for "ethics, law, family live, spirituality not anticipated 1,400 yrs ago" (p.74). But where is the authors historical honesty. Is he talking of the same man who allowed his men to have their way with captive slave women and stated that: "the majority of people in hell are women." Later Ernst complains that Europeans (again)were cynical of Muhammads elavation of Mecca as the spiritual center of their faith. Certainly, he insists, Muhammad was never so gauche as to have political/relgious motives (that's to colonial). This, despite historical evidence, during and after Muhammads life which indicate that Muhammad was a colonial crusader in his own way. Even his contemporaries noted that;"prophetism is finished and the empire is beginning." And it was after Muhammads death that Islamic theologians began to spread the rumors that the Bible was corrupt and that Jesus did not die on the cross but obtained a double to take his place-thus assuring Muhammad the title he always wished-The Final Prophet.
Thus the title of my review: It's the same old song. Islam is no danger to Western thought or Christianity. If it appears so it is because colonialism has penetrated the Muslim mind and they are unable to return to the great old days under the Prophet.
Less about Islam then about how to start looking.......2005-10-13
I was recommended this book by a professor of comparitive religion from a respected private school near where I live. I had mentioned to him that I was nearly totally ignorant of Islam, but that I was extremely curious, given the recent history of the clash between east and west. While this book didn't delve deeply into the actual structure of Islam, it brought to light several things to consider before starting an indepth study. I'm very glad that I read this book before starting on my quest to understand Islam, because it helped me to understand the baggage that I'm bringing, just by being an American who watches western media and went to a western school.
Read it for yourself.......2005-09-06
This book is written by one of the world's foremost scholars in Islam and Sufism. He delivers a balanced approach to the topic which cannot be said for the other reviewers of this book. I suspect they never read it.
The perfect introduction to Islam.......2005-03-21
"Following Muhammad," the way Ernst sees it, is a book that fills a special niche. Although solid scholarship on Islam is available, it is often rendered inaccessible by impenetrable prose and circulated in very narrow academic circles through specialized journals. On the other hand, commercial publications approach the topic from the sensationalist angles and too often betray ideological attack agendas. What Ernst tries to do in "Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World" is to offer the lay reader a balanced, unimpeachably scholarly but thoroughly accessible, fair-minded but critical introduction to the religion of roughly one fifth of the world's population. By extension, the book sheds light on many of the references, and some of the misperceptions, that have become common currency in the rhetoric of the clash of civilizations.
If September 11 influenced the presentation of the book, it is "to highlight how we have constructed the notion of religion in recent history around the ideas of competition and confrontation, since all too often this modern world-imperial concept of religion is allowed to pass unexamined." For too many people, confrontation is the only way they have heard Islam described, he points out, and the culture of mass media today tends to create the notion that the present is the only time worth considering. Ernst therefore devotes the first part of the book to the interplay between religion and history across the ages, and traces the evolution of the long relationship between Islam and the West from the Middle Ages through colonial times to the present. Ernst, who is not Muslim, does not engage in apologetics on behalf of any religion, but rather tries to examine images and their reverse, or negative: each civilization tends to project on the perceived rival its own prejudices and motivations.
Another section of the book examines Islam in terms of the modern concept of religion and gives an overview of the fundamental sources for Muslims: the Quran or scripture, and the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. From this Ernst moves on to the concept of Islamic religious ethics deriving not only from these authoritative texts but also from philosophical inquiry, including the Greek tradition. In his exposition Ernst hopes to provide the reader with independent and appropriate tools to understand the contemporary, and often ill-informed and inflammatory, debate about Islam.
The book's outstanding readability lies in the choice of the interpretative essay as the basic form for each chapter. Despite, or perhaps because, of his stellar academic credentials, the author deliberately eschews the "blind them with science" approach many academics take to impress their ivory tower peers with the impenetrability of their prose. Footnotes and glossaries are kept to a minimum.
Tellingly, one of the goals Ernst sets for this book can seem deceptively modest, by his own admission: to restore full, three-dimensional human complexity to well over a billion people homogenized and caricaturized in the eyes of the West in a manner wholly unacceptable if it were applied to any other religion, race or ethnicity. The fact that this seemingly modest goal is considered so controversial reinforces the timeliness of this book.
Books:
- The United States and Canada: The Land and the People
- Their Eyes Were Watching God
- Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories
- Tree in the Trail
- When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World: The Rise And Fall of Islam's Greatest Dynasty
- Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, Book 5)
- 2007 Moon Sign Book: A Gardening Almanac & Guide to Conscious Living (Llewellyn's Moon Sign Book)
- A Step From Heaven
- American Born Chinese
- Antarctica (Rookie Read-About Geography)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Clinton Crack-Up: The Boy President's Life After the White House
- Heart of the Sea: The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy #3
- Alkaliphiles
- Adventures in the Human Spirit
- Diagonally-Parked in a Parallel Universe : Working Through Social Anxiety
- History: Fiction or Science
- For Bea: The Story of the Beagle Who Changed My Life
- 650 Home Plans: From Cottages to Mansions
- Art of The Stonemason
- Plants Toxic to the Skin
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It
The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to Islam (and the Crusades) (Politically Incorrect Guides)
Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America
While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within
Infidel
