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86 of 98 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sad, Sadly True!!!, August 13, 2006
This review is from: Islam And Terrorism: What the Quran really teaches about Christianity, violence and the goals of the Islamic jihad. (Paperback)
Well, if it's up to me I'd give that book a rating of 5 stars myself, I read it all through in one single day!!!
Yes, it was that Interesting & Exciting, it sure will be to any fair open minded person too!!!
Yet the rating of only 4 stars which I gave it, is not due to mistakes or problems the author had made, No...
It's simply that out of my own opinion I had the feeling that...
1st - some of the examples (The wine for example and the contradiction discussed) was a bit weak regarding the verses selected, yet I don't say it's wrong, for if we considered the 3 Rivers of Heaven promised in the Quraan we'll find the same problem again!!!
2nd - Reading throughout the book especially as a Muslim makes you start thinking in a defensive way (what in the world is he talking about, even we call these people Terrorists!!!) He is talking about Terrorists & Extremists, and somehow Muslims will automatically start defending by saying stuff like (Them understanding the Quraan that way is their own problem, yet it doesn't mean it is really that way) and that's only because of the way this book is written when getting deeper into the Terrorism sections of the book, Referring to these terrorists as acting according to THEIR BELIEFS (where these last 2 words are keywords that can turn the whole point of the book over, even if the Author had made clear at the Begining that these are the Quraan's teachings, still using these 2 words makes it sound a bit different again) Yet I'm sorry to say, It is very Serious because it's not THEIR BELIEFS, The Auther is right, it's the Quraan's teachings, at least it's written there, so what else could it be doing there!!!
And who am i?!!
My name is Amr, from Cairo/Egypt, a Muslim since Birth and till now "Only wonder till when!!!", studied Quraan at school (nothing much I know), yet with my Religion Study which I started by the age of 17 and lasted for 8 years now which included 1st (the Noble Quraan) & 2nd (the Holy Bible) I came about a lot...
For almost a year and a half I was a very faithful Muslim, 5 prayers a day plus the Sunna, Fasting (Mondays & Thursdays), reading the Quraan & other explanation books (Tafseer Ibn Katheer "3 books" for example) so yes I know what I'm talking about, just like i'm sure Mr. Mark Gabriel knows that as well, just reading through the book, and the amount of CORRECT information this guy gives you, shouldn't leave you in doubt about his knowledge at all, at least i think so!!!
well, with the 1st time I studied the bible, I felt the major difference between both books!!!
I can't influence anyone's opinion, and I am not intending to, I did my own study and still am reading, and with God's help I'll find my own way through the darkness, yet I can only Recommend you to read this book, to know and to understand, not to fight back!!!
Enjoy your reading and try to be reasonable, fair, and willing to understand (It's no use if you've already made up your mind and rejected it, why then waste your time reading at all?!!)
Amr Abdel Rahman...
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259 of 311 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why The West Is A Target For Terrorism & Hatred., September 19, 2003
This review is from: Islam And Terrorism: What the Quran really teaches about Christianity, violence and the goals of the Islamic jihad. (Paperback)
Presented by a Professor of Islamic History at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, this book provides the reader with an extremely valuable insight into what the Islamic holy book, the Quran, teaches about Christianity, violence & the goals of the Islamic jihad. We are also imparted with an in depth analysis into the Islamic faith, beliefs and traditions through a book which documents the identification between modern terrorism and Islamic theology. Written in the wake of the September 11th attacks, the book outlines how as a "Christian" society, we in the West have an extremely limited comprehension of what Muslims actually believe and what, if any, agenda the religion of Islam has. At the outset, the contents of the book go to great lengths to point out that "Islam is behind terrorism" and not "Muslims". Readers being encouraged to love individual Muslims but to be aware of what Islam teaches, pointing out that many Muslims themselves are not aware of all that the Islamic faith includes. Muslims being described here as falling into any one of three groups; secular, traditional and fundamental Muslims. Secular Muslims only believing in what they term the "nice" parts of Islam and who reject jihad. Traditional Muslims who have a stumbling block with the concept of Jihad and the latter group of fundamentalists who actually perpetrate the terrorism. More detail of this is included as the book progresses. The book begins with an autobiography detailing the writer's experience and knowledge of Islam and how he came to question his Islamic faith. This is followed by an account of his expulsion from University, his arrest and detention by the Egyptian secret police and his treatment/interrogation. The story extends to his conversion to Christianity and the main body of the book which deals with Islam and associated terrorism. The fundamentals of the Islamic faith are examined initially, with a description of Islam as being a "religion based on work" with "entrance to paradise" having to be earned. Muslims being described as having no "assurance of salvation". The only way of guaranteeing "entrance to paradise" being to die in jihad. What the book describes as the "perfect motive for suicide bombers". Something which is describing as encouraging Muslims to even leave their own nations to fight jihad in other countries. This study illustrates that the focus of jihad is to "overcome" people who do not accept Islam (page 33). A quotation from Surah 4;89 of the Noble Quran stating, "Those who reject Islam must be killed. If they turn back, take them and kill them wherever you find them". Many, many other quotations are taken from the Islamic holy books to substantiate this issue. Many readers may be disturbed by what they read. Indeed, the book proceeds to describe (with suitable references) that the ultimate goal of Islam is to establish Islamic authority over the entire World. The book also revealing what it describes as historical facts about the Islamic prophet Muhammad, his teachings and practices, that few Westerners have ever encountered. The book declares that Islam has been veiled in a vast sea of misinformation since September 11th , with many political and media elements falsely presenting Islam as a "religion of peace". Muslim spokespersons publicly proclaiming such an image are described as distorting the truth to make it palatable to Western ears and also with a view to attracting possible converts. Many Islamic leaders being cited here as each doing their part for jihad by deceiving the Western populace through the media, achieving the desired effect upon public opinion. We are also presented with Muhammad's own example of jihad and how others were encouraged to follow him. The ultimate goal of Islam is also examined. Mawlana Abul Ala Mawdudi, the founder of Pakistan's fundamentalist Islamic movement is quoted as saying that Islam is not like the other religions in the World and Muslim nations not like other nations, because Muslim nations have a command from Allah to "rule the entire World and to be over every nation in the World". (Page 81). The book takes the reader on what it describes as a guided tour through 1,200 years of Islamic history where examples are illustrated that "justify" the killing of even women and children. The evolution of Islamic terrorism is also studied and how it has been brought to the West. The book describing how Islamic terrorism is no longer so intent upon targeting diplomatic figures or individuals, as random attacks upon the general public are more effective, as they terrorize the majority and spread fear in a larger way. Terrorism shown to have become a method of "political debate & dialogue". The depth of the Islamic hatred of Israel, the US, the West, Christianity and Judaism all being mentioned. The contents of this work also show that Muslims believe that "war means deception" and that lying is justified and indeed an important element of war in Islam. How this crucially affects countries dealing with Islamic nations in relation to so called "peace agreements" is also studied. The book describes how difficult it is for the Western public to accept and understand such a mind-set. I would respectfully recommend another book by Mark Gabriel entitled "Islam and the Jews; The Unfinished Battle". Thank you.
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61 of 71 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do you people bashing Dr. Gabriel really know what you are talking about?, April 7, 2006
This review is from: Islam And Terrorism: What the Quran really teaches about Christianity, violence and the goals of the Islamic jihad. (Paperback)
I have read this book, I have heard Dr. Gabriel speak, and all I can say to the pin-heads who bash Dr. Gabriel, call him "biased" and say he doesn't know anything about Islam, is that they have no clue. Dr. Gabriel is EGYPTIAN, could quote the Koran fully by age 12, he is a former PROFESSOR OF ISLAMIC HISTORY at Al-Azhar university in Egypt, and a former Imam. So, I think when he speaks about Islam he KNOWS what he is talking about, certainly more than the pin-head liberals and Christian bashing reviewers. But then again, I would expect nothing but biased, uninformed bashing from them. If you want an inside look at Islam, do something unique: read his books, read his testimony, and judge for yourself.
To the person who took Dr. Gabriel's book to a "linguist" who is a "christian" for an amazing 85 years???? Your "linguist" is ill, so old he is out of it, or you are... misleading people about this book. I am looking at Dr. Gabriels book this very second, looking at page 4-5 and have looked up the Surahs he quotes and guess what? They are EXACTLY as he states. Here is one example:
On page 4, Dr. Gabriel says "In one place alcohol was forbidden; in another it was allowed. (Compare surah 5:90-91 with Surah 47:15.)"
Guess what those two surah are talking about? Have a clue? Here, to help you out, I will quote them:
"O ye who believe! Intoxicants (wine) and gambling, stones, and arrows, are an abomination of Satan's handiwork: eschew such, that ye may prosper. [Surah 5: 90]
Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants (alcohol/wine) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?} [Surah 5: 91]
and in contrast:
"Here is a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; *RIVERS OF WINE, A JOY TO THOSE WHO DRINK*; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces)?" (Surah 47:15)
Additonally, using the excuse that Dr. Gabriel is using "bad" translations of the Quran... you must rembmer he reads ARABIC. His native language is not english. Again, he could quote the Quran by age 12 fully... he didn't have "bad" translation nor did he need a translation. His toughts and evaluations are based upon primary source language, not translations.
So please, people, don't listen to the atheists, islamic appologists, and liberal lunatics. Do your own homework people, check with primary sources, and READ!
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