The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam (The Complete Idiot's Guide) [Paperback]

Yahiya Emerick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2001

Islam may be the most misunderstood faith in history. Most of us learn little or nothing about Islam in school; in fact, our knowledge of Muslims may be restricted to news reports on the Middle East and Louis Farrakhan. Surprise--the vast majority of Muslims aren't Arabs, the Muslim Allah is very much the "one God" Christians and Jews believe in, many of the scientific and medical innovations we take for granted were passed on by Muslims, and the popular myths about Muslims often have little to do with the real beliefs of Islam. The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Understanding Islam reveals fascinating facts about Islam; they accept both the Old and New Testaments as holy books and accept Moses and Jesus as prophets. The book offers tips on Muslim culture, actual quotes from the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad, and prominent scholars, and answers to questions regarding everyday life from the Muslim perspective.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It may surprise readers to discover that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world, according to The Complete Idiot's Guide to Islam. "However, even more eye-opening is the fact that Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America," writes author Yahiya Emerick (How to Tell Others About Islam). Paradoxically, Islam is also one of the most misunderstood and maligned religions in North America. Fortunately, Emerick has written a viable antidote to the widespread confusion and ignorance. Using the Idiot's Guide's formula of questions and answers, sidebars, and small, easy-to-digest essays, Emerick makes Islam accessible to anyone who is inclined to learn more about this influential religion. Readers have much to glean from this comprehensive and balanced guidebook--primarily that Islam is a prayerful, peace-loving religion that has been misused in the name of terror, just as Hitler and other extremists have misused Christianity throughout history. Emerick devotes an entire section to "Looking at Women in Islam," in which readers can sort through even more misconceptions. The Idiot's Guide title belies the integrity of the book, which is an important contribution for our times. --Gail Hudson

About the Author

Yahiya Emerick is an American convert to Islam who has been involved in interfaith issues and education since 1990. He has a graduate degree in history, has authored 14 books for adults and children, and has been published in many magazines, including the Journal for Religion and Education.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1st edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028642333
• ISBN-13: 978-0028642338
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good but contains some errors, June 9, 2003

By 

Sister81 (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam (The Complete Idiot's Guide) (Paperback)

As a practicing Muslim with limited knowledge of Islamic sciences I noticed some glaring errors in this book, for example in the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) it wrongly states that Abraham was a polytheist and then became a Prophet. According to traditional Islamic scholars this is incorrect and there is at least one explicit verse in the Qur'an that states 'Ibrahim was NEVER amongst the polytheists', and the way the verses where Ibrahim appears to worship the moon, stars and sun are written is in such a way that it is apparant that he is trying to prove such things are disbelief by asking rhetorical questions. Only a few modern scholars ignorant of the explicit verses stating Ibrahim and other Prophets never dabbled in polytheism make such claims. Throughout the book Yahya Emerick seems to be getting his information from modern fringe scholars who are not representive of the majority in Islam. Many of the 'reformers' he mentioned and praised were founders of extremist movements and many people believe these men caused a lot of damage to Islam. I personally do not think Mr Emerick is qualified to say many of the things he does, I think he should have co-authored the book with a recognised mainstream scholar. There are also many other things, and then some of the information about shias is very incorrect, I am not shia but I found the ignorance about the shia side of Islam offensive. I personally could not give this book to a non muslim because of the errors and minority views it contains; which is a shame as otherwise its a very good informative book.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good presentation of Islam; too much editorializing, December 22, 2005

By 

David S. Rush "[e-mail]" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

I read this book for two reasons. First, I've appointed myself the task of learning about the various world religions. Secondly, I have an Arabic friend (stay away Homeland Security) who is Muslim, and I wanted to understand where he was coming from a little better.

I wanted to give this book 3 and half stars, but that is not an option. I gave it four because the author fulfilled his primary mission of teaching the reader the basics of Islam. He also threw in a brief history Islam and Arabs that was interesting. When they talk about Sunnis and Shiites on the news, now I understand the difference. I now feel that at least I have a basic understanding of this religion, and new respect for its primary concepts.

I wanted to give it 3 stars for the following reason. I do not expect great scholarly works from the Idiot series, but I do expect an object treatment of the subject. This author was anything but objective. If his editorializing was eliminated the book would have shorten up by 50 or so pages. Islam is an evangelic religion like Christianity, and I definitely felt the missionary zeal of the author. If you skip through those sections it is a worthwhile read.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read Refresher Course, February 16, 2007

By 

M. Jan (US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

I am a proud Muslim. I loved this book for its SIMPLICITY and FORTHRIGHTEOUSNOESS. It did not beat about the bush in any matter. Over the years I have forgotten the indepth nuances of certain aspects of my faith and this was a great refresher course. The contemporary style of the book differentiates it from more rigid and polarized versions of books on faith. It is written for people living in todays complex world, and being pulled in all directions at the same time, as I find myself as a Muslim in the US. Great Read!