Customer Reviews

Jihad of the Soul: Singlehood and the Search for Love in Muslim America

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I have never read a book on Islam that is as honest as Jihad of the Soul. The author discusses topics that are often deemed taboo in Islam but are very prevalent in relationships. Many Muslims think that the relationship issues that plague the greater American Culture do not affect Muslims and thus when our teens and young adults encounter these issues they have no where to turn and think they are alone. This book forces its readers to realize that other Muslims may have some of the same experiences (such as premarital sex and homosexuality) that they are facing.

Jihad of the Soul is a must read for Muslim Teens and their Parents.

Zarinah El-Amin Naeem has given us "Jihad of the Soul: Single Muslims Struggling with Identity, Religion and Desire", a study of what it means to be young and single in today's society; specifically, young and single in American society. She takes scores of interviews of people between the ages of 18 and 40 and presents their experiences and opinions in a coherent fashion.

Divided into 3 parts, Jihad tackles important questions, such as:

* What does it mean to be Muslim?
* Is marriage still necessary?
* Are my expectations to high?
* How much say so should my family have in my decision?
* Where do I find a mate?

This book contains a wealth of information. Whether you are a person seeking answers to chase away confusion or simply desire to know "what's really going on", this book needs to be read! Overall, it reminds us that there is no single mindset about Muslims.

How I wish this book was around when I was single!

This is a pivotal publication, which brings an honest in depth look at relationships within the American Muslim Community. This is the first work of it's kind and a necessary work for this generation. I was moved by the shear honesty displayed in covering the varying and layered topics regarding single-hood for Muslims in America. I believe this book can be used as stepping stone towards opening an internal conversation within the Muslim community and for greater understanding for the world community. I applaud the author for exploring this long neglected topic in such a transparent way. We need more works like this!

first I would like to say alhamdulillah May Allah reward you on your efforts in examining the life of single Muslims, I can indentify with that being a single Muslim myself lol...it does good in the way that in dives into the lives of Muslims and their struggles and their decisions....in the beginning of the book you mentioned the purpose for the book, one for your field of study and then for the singles Muslims,I think thats what it was I dont have the book in front of me....I think it does an excellent job for your field of study, but for the Muslim side of it I think it does a good job showing some of the real issues of single Muslims....but it is too open,like the part about homosexual Muslims...we shouldnt be too rigid in our Islam like sum ppl r makin it hard and ridiculous shoutin haram at everything, but at the same time, we cant be too open about things either....from reading it, it seems that not all of them, not all of them, but a good majority of the Muslims interviewed seems like they didn't have strong Iman, and they were not only struggling with being single, but struggling with their Deen itself....and I know that struggling with Islam is real, it happens,but I think if you would have interviewed more Muslims who were more firm in their Deen it would have made it more inspiring...but then again,if they are not struggling how can it be called Jihad of the Soul? idk...jus my 2 cents...

This book was very well done. I am a new muslim and this book helped me alot. It was well researched. I would recommend this book to others.

There is simply no other book out there like this. The study and research and the candid accounts of the American Muslim population as they struggle through their internal desires is magnificent. Little to no book will take such an angle and give you such an intimate passage into the depths of the American Muslim population's struggle inside the heart. Jihad of the Soul is a Must Read for anyone who is passionate and curious about the single lives of Muslim populations in America, marriage, courting, and other hot button topics. It is profoundly relevant to other religious populations and faiths as the same denominator of struggling to reconcile heart and behavior in a hyper sexualized and secularized society.

This book relates to Muslim and non-Muslim God conscious singles. Christian friends who read it note the common concerns and challenges faced by all who which to negotiate today's singlehood, seeking marriage while trying to remain "right with God." Jihad of the Soul goes along way toward destroying the myth that Muslims are "so very different" without compromising Islamic principles. I've recommended it to many!