Customer Reviews

What You Need to Know about Islam and Muslims

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pros: This book does give a factual, educational account of Islam from a Christian viewpoint from a baptist preacher who spent years learning Islamic customs. No I am not baptist. As for the ones who say this is trying to capitalize on the post septermber 11 chaos, remember that this book was written and published more than a year BEFORE 9/11. This is a very good introduction to Islam and I highly recommend it.

cons: left me wanting a more in-depth analysis of Islam; some bullet-facts could have been expanded for easier and smoother reading

I agree with the other reviewers who criticize this book as being repititve and "bullet style" of writing. However, I found the repitition to be useful in helping me absorb some of the concepts of Islam. Most important to me was understanding why Muslims believe what they believe, and understanding what Muslims think about Christians and their understanding of Christian faith. Although some Muslims might be correct in criticizing some of the factual details in this book (I wouldn't know), I can say the book was not written in a hateful or unflattering way (except perhaps to some of the non-orthodox such as Louis Farrakhan). The author balances his criticism of Christians and Muslims in denouncing the hatred that has existed over the centuries. May we all learn more about each other and follow the greatest commandments, to love the Lord and to love our neighbors.

Imagine a book sold to foreigners called "What You Need to Know About America & Americans" and on the cover it had a cowboy, a church, a playstation, a flag, a mcdonalds and an F15.

Your kneejerk reaction might be to think a few facts were omitted, particularly if the book was a scant 180 pages. You might think that there is a more complex history and culture than just the cowboy on the cover, right? You might be offended that someone wrapped up your country and put a big inaccurate label on it.

Same thing here.

My father spent summers with Cairo University's National Cancer Institute and being a bored foreigner I found myself hanging out with the locals. I learned a lot more about the people behind the "bad word" that has become Islam in recent years.

Engage these people in conversation and you'll find you have more in common than you have different. Lastly, if you decide to buy this book, don't do yourself a disservice by making this the only one.

This is one of the most malicious accounts of Islam, in recent years. It is full of lies and inaccurate historic "facts". The writer clearly has an anti-Islamic agenda and is trying to capitalize on the post-Sept.11 chaos. For example, Muslims do not submit to the pillars of the faith, they submit to G-d. The rituals (as in Judaism) are reflections of the faith based on a BELIEF: There is only One G-d. Hardly piety can be called immoral!

Another major deceitful remark is the quotations related to slaying pagans in the Quran. Firstly, Christians as well as Jews are not considered as pagans they are accepted as fellow monotheists and as the Quran calls "Ahlul-Kitab" or the "People of the Book". Secondly, People of the Book, as well as their prophets are respected and favored over all others. So, the verses related to pagans do not affect the Jews or Christians. It is also important to note that the pagans (idol worshippers) are fought against only after they take arms against Muslims. The writer seems to have conveniently ignored the historic facts.

Another fallacy is that the five daily prayers were prescribed by Khalifa after the prophet died! The 5 daily prayers were written upon Muslims during the "Miraj" or the ascension of the prophet Muhammad many years before he died.

Also, Muhammad never prohibited translations of the Quran, and you can find its translations in all the languages of the world, dating back to the time of the prophet himself.

Mr. Braswell has done a disservice to Christians and to Truth by intentionally misinforming the uniformed, and causing an atmosphere of animosity towards Islam and Muslims. If he is a true Christian, then he should repent, and apologize for the lies he is trying to spread.

Anyone interested in the reality of Islam, is better off talking to a professor of Islam, or read translations of Quran with commentary on it.

P.S. I am not a Muslim, but have studied the religion at UCLA, at the Doctoral level.

Written from a Christion perspective, this book gives more information about converting Muslims to Christianity then about Muslim beliefs and practices. More space is spent giving arguments for why Christians are right and Muslims are wrong then anything else. While some historical information was given it was sketchy and confusing.
The author repeats himself as nauseum, and contridicts himself many times. I learned very little from this book.