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The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity

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I've read all the previous reviews on Amazon on this book, and I was surprised to find what I consider to be the major message of this book overlooked by all the reviews.

First of all, let me say that I found this to be an excellent, elegant exposition of just what the title indicates - the "Heart of Islam." Professor Nasr explains better that any other writer I have ever read just what things like love and justice mean to Muslim inner life. On the one hand, he was addressing the post 9/11 world, and attempting to nurture a sense of balance about what the terrorist attacks meant, from a mainstream Muslim perspective. That believers of religions do not always live up to the ideals expressed by their faith is nothing new, and Professor Nasr certainly isn't trying to deny that.

But another major point - one suggested by the subtitle "Enduring Values for Humanity", and one that has taken on a more serious demeanor since 9/11 - was Professor Nasr's attempt to show that Islam, as a society, sees itself as threatened by secularism and globalism, which are basically western creations which western society has assumed, without any really good reason, to have a universal application, and which western governments, from the beginning of the imperialist period up to the present, have foisted on the Middle East, theoretically in its own good. As he points out, many of the major ills of Muslim societies, such as oppressive regimes, are the result of western tampering with their societies over the last two hundred years; if one doubts that this is possible, one only has to look at other areas of the globe, such as Central America, to realize that this is not only possible, but almost unavoidable, as long as the major industrialized powers insist on setting the moral tone of the world - a moral tone that is predicated on maintaining control of other areas of the world, mostly on the premise of economic necessity.

Professor Nasr is a writer in the tradition of the major esotericists of the twentieth century, most notably Rene Guenon and Frithjof Schuon among others, whose major warning for us was that the world has become more secularized, and that true belief in God has been jeopardized as a result; secularism creates a world in which God is marginalized, primarily on the basis that belief inspires tyrrany. Globalism further creates a world in which there is no real place for people to base their lives on a belief in God, because economic necessity becomes the only constant in life. In the final analysis, I believe that this was the major argument of this book; 9/11 simply provided a reason for making the argument, and as time goes on this argument seems to make more and more sense, as America sinks into its third year of trying to create a Middle East in its desired secularized, globalized image. You may not agree with this premise (although I do); the worst part of all is that most westerners don't understand the argument at all.

Following 9/11, the misinformation and prejudice directed at this religion have left most Americans ill-equipped to understand global events. While the neo-conservative administration hawks, Christian fundamentalists and Fox News all have reason to poison the minds of Americans and turn the tragic and despicable events of 9/11 into a clash of civilizations, this book will help us realize that our war is not with Islam, but with a group of terrorists that need to be stopped. These terrorists no more speak for Islam as the people on Fox News speak for me. This book is a must read for anyone who wishes to undertsand this religion. All others, tune in and get your propaganda straight from Fox's talking heads.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr may not be the most well-known Muslim author in the West, but that is to our detriment. This Iranian-born philosopher is clearly one of the more compelling voices in his faith and one which should be heard much more often.

"The Heart of Islam" is, as the title suggests, another book which sets out to explain the basics of Islam for a Western audience. What sets this one apart from the rest - totally aside from Nasr's abilities as a writer - is the fact that the same author has to his credit "The Young Muslim's Guide To The West". Nasr, it would seem, is quite gifted at explaining cultures to each other.

The basics of the religion are all present and correct. In fact, as a specialist in the field, I find that Nasr's outline of the basics is often superior to many other authors as he breaks down the various types of action (permissible, forbidden and so on) with scriptural examples - which is a feature very few books have. If all you're after is a quick run through the basics, though, the Five Pillars and so on are more than covered here. There is also a well-argued piece on jihad, that area of Muslim doctrine which is so easily misunderstood.

For the beginner, however, "Heart of Islam" may not be the best book to buy. Nasr's style of writing is a little too literary at times and his approach to various aspects of his religion is slightly more mystical than perhaps it should be. I understand that he describes himself as something of a Sufi, which would also explain the prominence he gives the Sufi concepts of "tariqa" and the like. This is not to say that Sufism should be ignored totally, but there is a risk of losing perspective with the structure Nasr has adopted here.

Additionally, the final quarter or so of this book leaves the "Introduction to Islam" subject matter aside and delves into a combination of Nasr's own philosophies and some defences against common criticisms.
In the former case, the fact that the author is a capable philosopher is definitely a good thing, but the environmentalist arguments (particularly) appear to be tacked on with little real thought for how the book will read. Some sections, in fact, feel as though they were taken straight from another book and inserted holus bolus into this one. Perhaps not the most far-fetched idea, given the timing of "Heart"'s publication, although this sounds more uncharitable than it should.
In the latter case, the responses are well-written but feel a little tacked on again - although not as much as the philosophy. Some of this may be due to my own academic background, and more might be due to the intervening time between September 11 (after which many of the criticisms Nasr responds to began to be aired in the media) and now. That said, it is important to read the responses to criticisms of "the human rights record of Islam" - which is a common concept, albeit an unusual one in historical terms.

All in all, "The Heart of Islam" is a fine book with many useful things to say. The specialist - or at least someone with a general background in Islam - will probably get a little more out of it than a rank beginner, but there is no one for whom this book is not recommended.

For a more in-depth look at the underlying values of Islam and its lessons for humanity as a whole, Seyyed Nasr's intellectual analysis presented in The Heart Of Islam, offers a focus on the spiritual and social values of Islam: peace, compassion, and social justice. Islamic scripture and traditional sources are probed, counterparts in other faiths are contrasted, and Nasr challenges others to understand Muslim society and beliefs  including his own people.

Nasr offers another great book on Islam with the intellectual depth and honest, unapologetic , style that can only come from a true scholar whose only goal is the truth. Set aside all the other books you have bought in an attempt to understand Islam after 9/11, this is the only one you really need to read.

Too many Christians fall into the trap of believing their own press when it comes to other religions. Having a dialogue with other faiths is much harder, particularly on your own beliefs, when you set aside your own "experts" and entertain the beliefs of others from within their own community. I think this is the heart of real dialogue. For American Christians, Nasr's book is a must-read if you wish to have the slightest insight into what Islam is really about. I found much to build on with Muslims and look forward to learning more about this faith.

This book is the most widely commanding and compelling counter argument to the vicious slander of Islam's true and good nature. It took me some time to ponder through the implications of all the deep insights beautifully laid out. Many of the negative reviews repeat kindergarten criticisms and lies about Islam that are completely covered by the author, proving that these people didn't read the book enough. Hard to beleive that after all the protection of persecuted Christians and Jews afforded by magnaminous Muslim rulers throughout history, now this spite? Hate encourages the turning of the blind eye and deaf ear, but knowledge and truthfullness bears the surprising fruit of mutual goodwill. If Christians forget that the Inquisition, the Nazi holacaust, and the Nagasaki episodes occurred within the Christian world of influence, know that Muslims can be thankful of that, can look with pity, and can hold out a word of encourgement. Grow up.

I have read many books on Islam. Seyyed Hossein Nasr's "The Heart of Islam" is simply the best introduction available. It helps one to understand what the traditional Islamic view is and how many modern manifestations deviate from this. In eloquent prose, it gives the reader valuable insight into the enduring values that make Islam appeal to so many. This should be required reading for all Americans.

For over 40 years Seyyed Hossein Nasr has written some of the best books on Islam, comparative religion, science, philosophy, and the environmental crisis. "The Heart of Islam" may be his most accessible work on Islam. It covers important topics such as jihad and women in Islam, and also explains the inner meaning of the religion. For this reason, it offers insights that most books on Islam, usually written by outsiders, simply miss. Only someone who has discovered the heart or essence of a religion or philosophy can speak with authority about the subject. After reading this book twice, I believe that Professor Nasr, as an important Muslim intellectual, truly represents the heart of Islam.

We learn that Islam is defined by the unity of the Divine Principle, which is the source and inspiration of the religion, including the Quran, Sunnah, Shariah, Sufism, Shi'ism, as well as Islamic philosophy, art, architecture, music, and poetry. We also learn about the presence of pre-Islamic prophets in Islam, such as Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, and some important keys for interfaith dialogue, not only with the Abrahamic family, but with people of all religions, and even those who do not adhere to a religion. One of the most engaging sections of the text is his discussion of the Divine Names and Attributes in Islam, such as Compassion, Love, Peace, Beauty, and Justice. He also deals with important questions that we all face in the modern world, such as the environmental crisis, human rights and responsibilities, and the role of religion in society, as well as crucial existential and philosophical questions.

Professor Nasr is also a University Professor of Islamic Studies at the George Washington University, and a graduate from M.I.T. and Harvard in Physics, Geology, and Islamic Science. We are not simply dealing with a sentimental and apologetic author, but a first rate scholar who understands both the West and the Islamic world. "The Heart of Islam" demonstrates this understanding, and may be one of the most important bridges that we have to challenge the clash of civilizations thesis that is perpetuated by extremists in the West and the Islamic world.

If you have been grasping for a better understanding of Islam since the attacks of 9/11 search no further. This is a book you will find yourself coming back to again and again. Written in eloquent and accessible English, this book helps one understand why so many continue to live as pious Muslims despite the distortions so prevalent today. Even if you have read several books on Islam, this is a must read.