A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam [Paperback]

I. A. Ibrahim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1999

This book is specifically written for non-Muslims to help them better understand Islam. Some of the topics in this book are: - Evidence that Islam is a true religion. - Proofs that the Qur'an is the literal word of God. - Scientific miracles in the Qur'an with scientific illustrations. - Why Muhammad is truly a prophet sent by God? - Some benefits of Islam. - General information on Islam. - Pillars of faith. - Correction of some misconceptions about Islam. - The status of women in Islam. - What Islam says about terrorism. Features of the book: 43 illustrations (39 in color); 76 colorful pages on glossy, coated, 115 gm paper; Laminated 350 gm cover; High quality printing; More than 375,000 copies have been printed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Among the latest such works is A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam, and really brief for its 74 pages. This booklet packs within its cover a wealth of scientific information to highlight the truth of Islam. Author I. A. Ibrahim has consulted a wealth of references and a clutch of experts, especially in science to provide as clear a picture as possible on various aspects of Islam -- Islamic Horizons, Nov/Dec 1998 issue, p. 70

This is a unique book of dawah. It is written to introduce Islam to non-Muslims . . . The book was reviewed by a group of specialist to insure correctness and accuracy and is printed in color. It contains 43 illustrations -- Al Jumuah Magazine, Feb/Mar 1999 issue, p. 9

About the Author

Editor: I.A. Ibrahim

General Editors:
Dr. William Peachy
Michael Thomas
Tony Sylvester
Idris Palmer
Jamaal Zorobozo
Ali Al Timimi

Science Editors:
Prof. Harold Stewart Kuofi
Prof. F. A. State
Prof. Mahjoub O. Taba
Prof. Ahmad Allam
Prof. Salman Sultan
As. Prof. H. O. Sindi

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 76 pages
• Publisher: Dar-us-Salam Publications; 2nd edition (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9960340112
• ISBN-13: 978-9960340111
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #821,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, August 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam (Paperback)

This book highlights the typical extremes that are found in the host of English language Islamic publications that have cropped up in recent years from Saudi Arabia. Nicely produced books (the best money can buy!), but written by people who have little idea of Western culture and mindset. This title is no exception, it is written clearly "for the average American to understand Islam" and we will review it from that angle.

This is really a book of two parts, the first half (40 pages) presents the miraculous scientific phenomenon mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. This first half about the Quran is EXCELLENT, a great great presentation, beautifully illustrated and explained.

The second half is a disaster to say the least. It starts off with some statistics showing Islam as the fastest growing religion, and then the authors write "This phenomenon indicates that Islam is truly a religion from God."!!!! So what does it mean that Chrisitans are the largest religious community in the world?? Does that make Chrisitanity the true religion also? Clearly, there is some mishap here in reasoning.

The rest of the 30 pages in this second half detail what Muslim's believe, and here are some major goof-ups. "What Does Islam Say About Terrorism?" is a section among the various other Muslim beliefs!!!! Clearly, there is no need for us Muslims to get so defensive about Western pop media potrayals that we start including them in our Religious Beliefs sections.

The myopic Muslim viewpoint of this work is again apparent as things that Americans really care about are glossed over in half-page paragraphs. Family and Women Studies is covered in one page whereas there should be atleast 4 pages detailing this aspect of Islam, as Americans could learn from Islam here. Racism is discussed adequately but there is no chapter called Racism, one finds it under "Human Rights & Justice in Islam." This is just poor editorial work. And lo! there is NO mention whatsoever of the daily Islamic morals and manners, another aspect Americans could learn a lot from Muslims. Nor is there any mention of Alcohol, Abortion, Interest, the Mosque as the Community Center, and finally JIHAD (against evil)!!! Of course, insofar as Jihad is concerned, i can sympathize with the Saudi publishers, as they hire the Americans to do the fighting for them, so technically absence of Jihad from such a book would not be considered an omission.

Right at the end, there is a paragraph entitled ISLAM IN THE UNITED STATES, and I will reproduce it entirety here. "It is difficult to generalize about American Muslims. They are converts, immigrants, factory workers, and doctors. This varied community is unified by a common faith, unerprinned by a nationwide network of mosques. Muslims arrived early in North America. By the eighteenth century, there were many Muslims in North America. Great Numbers of Americans have entered the fold of Islam. They are from different classes: the rich, the poor, the educated, and the illiterate. Today there are about five and a half million Muslims in the United States." Thats it! I am not sure what more I can add to this thoughtful description.

Then there is a page on important Islamic contacts in America, and as usual most of the major Muslims organizations are missing, (including the mythical "network of mosques" mentioned the page before). What one finds are a bunch of small obscure Saudi offices listed with P.O. Box addresses.

All in all a totally shoddy work on the back half of this book. The ironic thing about this title is that there are 5 "General Editors" listed inside the cover, all with Western names, and in paranthesis the publishers have tartly added their Muslim names, to give us the impression that they have done their homework and hired American-Muslim homeboys to produce this book!!! Which I suppose is the biggest tragedy of it all.

In conclusion, I would simply tear off the book at the 40th page, paste the back cover back on, and lo! I have an excellent book that should more accurately be titled A BRIEF ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE QURAN. I would NOT give the last 30 pages to an American friend!!

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, objectively written brief, May 3, 2000

By 

Saada (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam (Paperback)

This is a brief, concise, but rich summary of the essence of Islam. I recommend the book for Muslims or non-Muslims, casual or serious reader, layman or scholar. A challenge tonon-Muslims who want to examine Islam objectively without prejudices of Islamic misrepresentations and to professed Muslims who do not know much about the message of Islam.

I agree with the reader from Chicago that Islam must be shown from a scientific point of view. Afterall, there is no conflict between religion and science in Islam. On the contrary, the Qur'an invokes believers to observe, and reflect, for understanding. That is also the scientific method.

I disagree with the "Khalifornia" reviewer on two points: One, as brief as this book is, it is not the place for explanations of beliefs and practices. Two, it is a misconception that this book modernizes Islam. The Qur'an, which has been preserved in the way it was revealed and no revisions allowed or done, has always been modern. It is the professed practitioners who let their cultural influences intrude into their "Islamic practices" to return Muslims to the era of ignorance that prevailed before the advent of Islam. This book is just a revival of the true spirit of Islam.

The book is a rich, healthy, mouth-watering appetizer. It is up to the curious reader to follow up with other more in-depth books written by authors who know what Islam really is, such as 'Abd al 'Ati, Badawi, Esposito, Lings, Haneef, Hofmann and others.

To the authors, God bless the "pen" you write with.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Western introduction 2 1/2, February 25, 2009

By 

A. Reum (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam (Paperback)

A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam is clearly written as primer for citizens of the western World. It pages are glossy and heavy with plentiful illustrations. In this, the book is of good quality.

The arguments found within the pages of the book are standard Islamic apology and would only serve well for a person uninterested in researching its claims. For instance, standard claims of introducing mathematical concepts and advanced tools of astronomy are suggested as Islamic creation. Very simple research reveals these to be inaccurate claims although Muslims did play a substantial role in carrying the technologies to the West.

Additional flaws are found in the treatment of Hebrew Scripture and the New Testament of the Bible. Biblical verse used to attempt a connection between Old Testament Scripture and the prophet Muhammad are taken from their context and clearly disqualify Muhammad.

Had the book been written more objectively, I would have appreciated the attempt to share history and knowledge regarding Islam. As it is, I enjoyed reading it but would not recommend it.