Customer Reviews

A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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!!

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.

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.

I purchased this book as part of my investigation into the teachings of Islam. I looked at several "List Mania's" made up by Muslims and they all recommended this book (as well as others). I truly wanted some books that would give a credible account to someone who is seeking to understand Islam's teaching without any preconceptions (i.e., apart from the media's portrayals). My hopes of finding such with this book were dashed.

What I found was quite disappointing. For example, the authors refer to several "scientific miracles" to substantiate the claim that the Qur'an was divinely inspired. They argue from Qur'an 23:12-14 that in the process by which Allah created a human in the womb, Allah makes it into a "chewed substance." Then they actually have a photo of a chewed piece of chewing gum next to a drawing of an embryo (p. 9) and say that the embryo at this stage looks similar to a piece of chewing gum. THAT is the scientific evidence of the miraculous nature of the Qur'an? Surely this is insulting to anyone who with any kind of education, and I'm sure that this kind of "evidence" is embarrassing to most self-respecting,educated Muslims.

Example #2: Quoting from Qur'an 24:43, "Have you not seen how God makes the clouds move gently, then joins them together, then makes them into a stack, and then you see the rain come out of it..." the authors suggest that Mohommed couldn't have known this since it was only recently discovered by science that clouds are pushed by the wind, join, and stack together. Yet could not an uneducated child discern this by watching a storm gather in the distance? In fact, the book has a picture on p. 25 that would suggest to the naked eye causally observing the clouds that they push together, join, stack, and rain comes down. Again, this is supposed to be scientific evidence of the miraculous nature of the Qur'an.

#3. Another embarrassing point in the book. On page 34, it quotes John 1:19-21 when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John the Baptist if he was the Prophet (spoken of in Deuteronomy 18:15, 18, according to a cross reference in the NIV Study Bible). John the Baptist answered, "No." The authors conclusion: "We conclude from this that Jesus Christ is not the prophet mentioned in Dt. 18:18." But it is obvious from the text itself that John the Baptist was not saying that Jesus wasn't the Prophet, only that he himself was not that Prophet. At best, this is sloppy 'scholarship' in mistaking John the Baptist for Jesus. At worst, this is a sly attempt to pull the wool of the readers eyes.

If you are looking for a good book on Islam that will present its teachings in a clear light (apart from poor attempts at propaganda), pass this one by. If you are looking for an attempt by some Muslims to give crediblity to their way, this might be a good book to get to see what they consider "good" evidence and arguments. It has some other seemingly useful information, but from the above examples, I'm not sure what is reliable in this book. I stand utterly amazed that it has received some rave reviews on this amazon site. I wish I had not bought it.

As an American Muslim, I am always asked by non-muslims to explain to them about Islam. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and there are billions of Muslims world-wide. This book brought tears to my eyes when it clearly explained the words of God as written in the Quran. I had once recommended Suzanne Haneef's book, "What every Christian should know about Islam and Muslims." It is also a good read that is more in depth. But this one was brief and more inspiring. It is clearly written, illustrated and has an excellent reference section. I feel it to be the most excellent Dawah gift to those seeking to know about Islam. Or even an excellent Eid gift for those who do.

I disagree with the earlier response to not show Islam in its scientific view. I say why not? This view was presented for a reason to show evidence that Islam is truly inspired by God. Other views were presented as well; such as the benefits of Islam and general information on Islam. I can guarantee that any Muslim that reads this book will be more than impressed and any non-Muslim will be inspired. All praise is truly due to God!!!

Islam must be learned from those who are in it. The science and technology along with great pictures and illustrations make it a must read for anyone trying to learn more of the truth of Islamic Faith and its adherents.

This much needed book explains many of the reasons for the problems in understanding, or misunderstanding the Muslims and Islam today. Scientific references and colorful illustrations make this one of the most interesting and captivating as well as accurately presented books on these most important subjects. A must for everyone's library and desktop reference.

Overall, this book is a wonderful picture book filled with text. Is that a bad idea? Perhaps it was a wise desicion.Remember the title?<< A Brief Illustrated Guide>> And that is EXACTLY what it is. Concidering this book was distributed for free to Muslim's world-wide, knowing (insha Allah) that it would be passed to non-Muslim family members who are attracted to a Book's covor. Are'nt we all at times?

It tackled all issues at hand, at this momment, for readers who have not been exposed to Islam. Non Muslims watch TV, and many find religion boring, and to "preach one teach one" This brief book offers pretty pictures for "entertainment" and an easy to read-easy to understand concept for those who would like to better understand ..."That sweet lady down the street who wears that thing on her head"..

The book is appropriate for new Muslims, those needing to understand conversion, those who have non Muslim family members, non muslim co-workers ect..

This is a great book and a great resource for those who want to learn about Islam and how it is related to other religions such as Christianity and Judaism.

I totally agree with the other reviews about this book - it is magnificent. The author has put so much into such a small book, you come away from reading it wondering how he managed to do it. There is even a note that you may pass this book on to others, or tell them about the website where the text is available.

My only comment is about the structure of the book. While I agree with the scientific statements at the beginning of the book, I felt they should have come after the main introduction - which pretty much takes up the second half of the book.

That is my only criticism, and a small one at that. If you are new to the subject, you will be enthralled and amazed by the facts stated - the prophet was illiterate yet he changed the face of history.

A wonderful book, and an inspiration to all.