Customer Reviews

American Muslims: The New Generation

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

After reading Asma Gull Hasan's "American Muslims", I have come to realize how truly diverse people's outlooks are regarding Islam and I can't help but think that their own personal experiences, upbringing and/or culture are responsible for this diversity. Although I am of the same background as the author (20-something daughter of Pakistani Immigrants, and a US resident for the past 18 years), I fail to agree with a lot of what she is saying. Throughout this book Hasan criticizes Muslims for living their own culture-based form of Islam, she doesn't realize however that she herself may be falling into a similar trap; taking certain aspects of her religion as truth while abandoning others. To say the least, I was greatly caught off guard by how boldly Hasan stated her opinions of Islam as if they were actual facts. One of her greatest defects was her thoughts on marriage and dating. I was shocked to read that in her opinion "there is no explicit prohibition against pre-marital sex in Islam" (p.134), when every Muslim knows, or at least I hope knows, that this is one of the biggest sins one could commit. She later went on to say that parents today place too much pressure on their daughters when it comes to marriage and that marriage in itself was not a religious obligation. This again goes against the principles of Islam. As Muslim women, it is our duty to not only marry but to raise righteous Muslim children, and we will be held accountable for this on the day of judgement. I personally think that she took the marriage subject far too lightly. I was also surprised to read her thoughts on hijab. Although I myself don't wear a hijab, I do realize that modesty is an enormous part of our faith. Even though hijab may be of pre-Islamic Arab tradition, as Hasan claims it to be, I do believe that it is highly suggested if not mandated by the tenets of Islam, and not just mere tradition or culture. I wonder if she has ever asked herself if her not wearing hijab has anything to do with her Pakistani culture or American upbringing. She also portrayed hijab as evidence of male superiority and female oppression. In my eyes hijab is only evidence that males and females were created differently and in order to maintain a certain level of respect and dignity between the genders in any given society, one must realize those differences and act accordingly (which isn't so easy living on American soil). I do agree, however, that hijab should be of personal choice and a reflection of ones own personal beliefs and level of faith, rather then something inflicted by ones parents, husband, or peer pressure. Overall I'd say that this book is quite inconsistent and poorly written (not only from a literary standpoint but also for intellectual content). Numerous references to the Qu'ran were made, but there was no indication of where in the Qu'ran Hasan was getting her facts from, which is another drawback to this book. If a Non-Muslim were to pick up this book for information on the religion of Islam, they would be greatly misled because they could easily be taking Hasan's interpretations as facts. From a Muslim reader's standpoint I would say that Hasan doesn't really dive deep enough (intellectually) in many of the arguments she makes. For this reason, many of the chapters or "Close-Up" sections of the book seem incomplete or inconsistent. This book does however make me realize that being an American Muslim is indeed a difficult task, but I don't think that it is an impossible one, especially with the ever increasing communities and Islamic awareness. One thing I do give this author credit for is having the courage to voice her thoughts and beliefs publicly even on matters that are so controversial. I only hope that next time she would put more thought in her words and accept all aspects of her religion (whether it be difficult or easy to implement).

I know that Asma Gull Hasan means well in wanting to show Islam in the best light possible, but that doesn't make up for her glaring lack of knowledge. Judging from her remarks, she has never heard of the hadith, the collections of Muhammad's words and deeds, which are of paramount importance as a source of Islamic law and belief, and this in itself is a major failing. Her brief remarks about the Qur'an make me wonder if she has actually read it. The author demonstrates no knowledge whatever about shari'ah (Islamic law) or fiqh (the application of that law), which makes her pronouncements on various subjects from hijab to women's rights a sad joke from an Islamic standpoint. She is completely ignorant of the doctrine of abrogation (naskh), stating that some verses are superceded by verses revealed later. She waves away practices she doesn't like by saying that "in her view" they are wrong--but doesn't show that she has any idea why they came to be in the first place, or what specific justifications they may have. It is possible to critique such practices, but first one should know the reasons behind them! The book is heavy on shallow platitudes about Islam mouthed without any knowledge or understanding, coupled with an almost total lack of any solid Islamic knowledge.

Regretfully, this is not the definitive book on Young Americans and Islam, or even a liberalized American understanding of Islam; that title will have to wait for somebody with a deeper and fuller understanding of Islam.

Asma tried.
The book is a good start on being upfront and honest about life as a Muslim in America, especially as a young Muslim born and reared in this society. For all her good intentions, the book is lacking. Seriously. As a 20something African-American Muslim female who was born and raised into the religion of Al-Islam, I was deeply put off my Asma's tendency to universalize HER experience with Islam as THE norm. The book is a lighthearted reflection on her experiences-- great! But it is informed by a specific set of circumstances and factors (i.e., she's Pakistani, the child of immigrants, and upper-class) which is fine. We are all products of our environments. But she really makes no attempt to look at her experience within this paradigm--all her theories on Islam in America/views on women/the scarf or khimar (aka incorrectly as hijab) are informed by her experiences, which again is fine, EXCEPT that she makes little or no mention of this reality and presents her experience as something definitive or universal. Her experience is not mine, (African-American Muslims make up about 40% of Muslims in America!) nor is it the experience of a lot of other people. For Muslims who are interested, I think that Asma falls into the classic trap of evaluating Islamic institutions through the lens of non-islamic (note I did not say un-islamic...there is a difference) sources and then makes conclusions on these institutions without trying to understand them properly in the context or history of Islam. I am *progressive* and am thoroughly convinced that Islam and the West are compatible (why shouldn't they be?) but Asma doesn't delve deep enough intellectually into any subject to make a convincing argument on any point. Asma also makes some incorrect statements about the Qur'an. A little fact checking would have cleared this up...just a little...PLEASE fact check more for the next book Asma! The only perspective that the book has is hers--yet, she pretends/asserts to speak for American MUSLIMS...just a tad obnoxious I think. So, in sum...nice try...good for those who already know a lot about Islam but it just scratches the surface and falls into typical unenligtened ASSUMPTIONS on a host of issues-- especially about women. Shame on you Asma for falling into the trap of making assumptions about Muslim women based on their dress-- this point strongly weakens your book in the eyes of many Muslims who would have supported you otherwise-- this from a woman who doesn't/nor belives that you have to cover your hair...She should have been more sensitive/astute about the nature of various communities that make up "Islam in America."

If the book had been written with the objective to reflect diversity of the Muslim community in the United States, portraying Muslims as average law-abiding citizens with same everyday concerns non-Muslims have, it would have passed my test with flying colors. However, Ms. Hasan tried to `educate' her reader about Islam and in process showed her lack of knowledge of even the basics of her faith.

About Eid-ul-Fitar (the Muslim festival following the holy month of Ramadan) she writes: "[to celebrate Eid] Muslim families usually have a banquet and make a contribution to local poor people, usually a lamb sacrificed in God's name."

On Eid al Fitar Muslims usually don't do anything like sacrificing a lamb for donation. That is Eid uz Zuha (celebrated some seventy days later) when a sacrifice is offered in the name of God.

The book is loaded with such inaccuracies.

Surely she is not a typical oppressed Muslim woman which is evident from her books and looks. But she knows how women are oppressed in the Muslim societies, when she herself writes: "I used to joke with Ghani [an African-American Muslim boy in her class] that if my parents went nuts and were about to force me into an arranged marriage with a scary, hairy monster, he and I would have to elope to save me, and I'd still be marrying a Muslim at least!" What a compulsion: running away from an Islamic custom yet wanting to marry a Muslim. Still, one can see that she knows enough but she isn't saying it.

But that is not all. About Mera'j (Ascension of Prophet Mohammed to heavens) she writes: "The second [pillar of Islam] requires that all Muslims should pray to Allah five times a day. There is a funny story behind this requirement. In one of the chapters of the Quran, a journey of Muhammad's at night to Heaven to meet God is described."[p59]
Unfortunately, there isn't any one chapter like that in the Quran, other than the scattered references in two chapters: "Children of Israel" which contains only one verse, and "the Star" which contains a few more but none mentions a word about praying five times a day. Almost all of the ascension narrative is derived from the traditions, not from the Quran.

About Mohammed's appointment as God's messenger, she recounts his return to his wife Khadijah after the incident of the cave of Hira where angel Gabriel had supposedly burdened him with the mantle of final prophethood to mankind. About this incident Ms. Hasan writes: "Khadijah showed faith in her husband and asked him to repeat what the angel had told him, which is now the first Surah (or chapter) of the Quran." This too is incorrect. The verses attributed to this (first) encounter with the angel Gabriel are included in a much later chapter, titled "the clot".

Her ignorance is only worsened by her dishonesty. She writes about Jihad: "I should point out that by no means does Jihad imply terrorism, death or holy war. In America, Muslims understand Jihad for what it really means: struggle. That's right, Jihad merely means struggle, not a holy war or a war against all Americans. Consistent with the Qura'n and Prophet Mohammad's life, it often applies to an inner struggle to strengthen one's beliefs against corrupting and anti-Islamic forces."[p59]

She wants her readers to believe - mind you all in one sentence - that Mohammed faced and wiped out his enemies ["anti-Islamic forces"] merely through an 'inner struggle.' She clearly has no idea that Qura'n is replete with calls to fight, whether termed as "Jihad" or not often using other words, like "Qital" meaning "Slay". But why should one blame her `peaceful' characterization of Jihad because the very intent of the book is to project a putative Islam shorn of its militant past and present.

I have kept the punch line for the last. On page 58 under "Close-Up Jesus-Islam's Messiah at the End of the World", she writes: The Qura'n describes the beginning of the end of the world: famine, storms, bloods, vandalism, and rampant immorality prompting arrival of Dajjal, the name of the anti-Christ in Qura'n." The problem is there is no mention of either the turmoil or the accompanying anti-Christ in the Quran. All narratives and prophecies on this subject are only found in the Prophet's sayings compiled in texts outside of the Quran.

All in all, the book is not an honest attempt to discuss and analyze either Islam or Muslims. It is more like a `feel good' brochure about Muslims and their controversial religion intended to dampen the anti-Muslim sentiments of the post 9/11world. Don't buy the book to read an objective portrayal of either Islam or its American adherents. It is intended to skirt the very issues which have cast a negative light on Islam in the first place.

Thank you, Asma Gull Hasan, for writing such a courageous book about the American Muslims. This book is neither a religious one nor a scholarly, academic one. This book is about the author (An American Muslim), her family, other American Muslims, and their interactions with other Americans in day-to-day life and growing up in America.

I am glad this book was published at a time when Islam is seen in America the one represented by Osma Bin Laden and his disciples. (Who do not represent Islam by any means; FYI: there are 1.2 Billion Muslims in the world and about 20% are Arabs).

Islam doesn't oppress Muslim woman but very often is misinterpreted by so-called scholars or it may be influenced by local culture, which may not be the true teachings of Islam. The author also noted that Islam was the first religion to grant rights to women. I believe that the author is a moderate Muslim. What she did is to tell America that we, the American Muslims, are no different than any other decent Christian, Jewish, Buddhist or any other religious person living here. Sure we have few bad apples like every one else, but we aren't all bad. She may have offended few majesties for being BOLD and for a few moderately liberal views. But aren't we blessed to be living in the land of the free and the home of the brave? Indeed, we are proud to be the American Muslims.

I will give a FIVE STAR recommendation for this book, especially for Anyone who has any beef, anger or any stereotype against Muslims in general or Islam as a religion. The author has covered basic Islamic beliefs and practices very beautifully. Last but not least, it is well written in EASY TO UNDERSTAND format, which distinguishes it positively from many other books in the field of Islam.

Asma Gull Hassan's Amercian Muslims is an interesting and informative read. Its interesting because it has a personal perspective of a second generation Muslim living in America. It's informative as she's managed to identify and meld both contemporary issues the "new generation" is facing and included the basic tennants of Islam. The issues Ms. Hassan identifies (eg seggregation) show the gaps between the religion of Islam and the the way Muslims in America are practicing. However, one area where the book I feel lacks perspective is in the true understanding of both the word and the spirit of Islamic law (eg on issue of Hijaab). Without the clarification and validation from Muslim scholars in America it leaves an uninformed reader hanging. To conclude, an excellent read and perspective of a second generation American Muslim.

In this era of Islam-bashing, Hasan's book serves as an immensely important tool of tolerance. While some may disagree on Muslim doctrine, and others will be disappointed at how Hasan doesn't inflate their sense of Christian supremacy, "American Muslims" will provide countless people a very informative and enjoyable read. I'm going to be buying several copies and sending them to US soldiers in Iraq (via BooksforSoldiers.com), some of whom have been taught very racist/culturist attitudes - to get them in the mood to dominate the people. Sadly, some of our troops, and the private mercenaries of Dyncorp, believe the xenophobia of Kenneth Timmerman, Michael Savage and other hate-mongers.
Asma Gull Hasan provides a courageous antidote to the plague of bigotry.

One note on the issue of sexism in Islam - it's important to keep in mind that violence against women is epidemic the world over. "Ms. Magazine" is an important source of info on ugly facts like how over 25,000 women in the US become pregnant each year due to being raped. So, maltreatment of women is something American Christians need to address as well. Moreover, if we want to make things better for women in the Middle East, we could start by not conducting illegal invasions, by not building military bases to control oil resources, by not propping up dictators, and so forth. The state terror of America has a way of trickling down upon the women (and the children and the men) of the region. If Americans curtail the habits of domination in their country's foreign policy, women all over the world will be safer.
"World Pulse" magazine is an excellent resource for those interested in how wonderful women like Asma are transforming this troubled world.

A delightful and informative book describing the complications of life in America for a young American-born Muslim woman. This is written by a self-styled "Muslim feminist cowgorl." While I have used it successfully in graduate classes, it is so readable that it would be accessible to high school students. Presents a needed corrective to the stereotypes of the Muslim extremist.

Author does not speak for all American Muslims. Speaks from her point of view. Should retitle book "My life as a Muslim in America". She offers her personal views on Islam rather than real objective factual representation of all Muslims in America. Hasan believes that Muslims who follow Islam as the religion dictates as traditionalistic, fundamentalist, and following patriarchal culture. Hasan is the epitomy of a person who assimilates to a society and compromises their beliefs in order to "succeed". When in the end you are still considered "the other".

A delightful and informative book describing the complications of life in America for a young American-born Muslim woman. This is written by a self-styled "Muslim feminist cowgorl." While I have used it successfully in graduate classes, it is so readable that it would be accessible to high school students. Presents a needed corrective to the stereotypes of the Muslim extremist.