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What's Right with Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and the West

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Rauf is Imam of a Mosque a few blocks from the World Trade Center site and has been passionately involved in the aftermath of that tragedy, interfaith understanding, and the place of Islam in the United States.

His essay is a useful source to stimulate thinking even on matters with which one can not entirely agree. Most contemporary and major historical and social questions about Islam are addressed in a manner and from a perspective that is unique with comparisons to American values and practices and just enough history to provide context.

There are some major reasons that disagreement and/or discomfort may be expected that do not reduce the stimulation from reading the book:
(1) There will be some small disagreements on details for historians but there are also many thoughtful perspectives that may be of considerable value even for scholars of the subject.
(2) The comparisons to American principles will seem forced at times both because they relate to an idealized Islam of moderates and because most of us have been strongly conditioned by Islam phobia our entire lives continue to be fed nonsense by those who should know better and often want to divert us from the real policy issues ("they attack because they hate our freedoms and way of life" as if elections, booze, and bikinis are reason for attack).
(3) He does not address the moralistic antagonism against what Muslims (like Right Christians and others) consider to be lewd and corrupt behavior.
(4) There is little about the cultural values regarding family, honor, community that are not parallel to the individualistic, sometimes selfish and egoistic, standards of our own society. (To that degree he somewhat idealizes Americans as well as Muslims).
(5) The discussion will seem unfamiliar to those informed only by the media with its obsession with the violent ("if it bleeds, it leads"), simplification, and historic ignorance and disdain or hatred of Islam.

One who knows and understands Islam will recognize many strengths in this book, not least of which is placing things in what could be called a sociological and historical context.

The book is a striking contrast but certainly no more propagandistic than academic works have almost always had an "agenda" and can be very misleading. Often the most promoted and best known is very much product of ulterior motives about which many readers with limited alternative sources are naive. There is an intellectual "Gresham's Law for pundits it seems.

The ideas, perspectives, comparisons, and examples should all engage a thoughtful reader to better understand Islam and America too. Reading this book with an open mind is enjoyable and time well spent.

Imam Feisal speaks for all Muslims who find themselves defending their religion. His moderate voice is consistent with the philosophical basis of Islam. His approach and vivid examples provide Muslims with a framework to best articulate how Islam and the West are not only compatible but also made for each other.

This is also a must read for anyone whose impressions of Islam have been formed through the events and coverage of the last few years. Many are perplexed by the seeming inconsistency of terror "in the name of Islam" and our leaders' statements such as "Islam is a religion of Peace." Without addressing the 'expert analysis' given full reign in the media to besmirch Islam, this book effectively discredits those theories. By identifying the common threads between West & Islam, the 'us vs. them' thoughts dissolve.

This should serve as the foundation of reconciliation and peace between Islam and the West.

The author clearly is a cut above the rest since he writes from an empowered position. Empowered because he does not sit in one of the most artificial environment ever created - academia. Out there in the real world and dealing with various situations - his ability to engage the honest seeker is readily apparent. A physicist by training,living in America for the past 40 + years, he has been dealing with problems ranging from the individually intricate and subltley psychologic to the societal and geopolitical while in his pulpit in Tribeca, New York City. Imam Feisal Abdul-Rauf just about ranks as the planets top expositor of Islam to the English speaking world.
I have attended several of his lectures, and am well acquainted with the other 'spokespersons' for islam in the Americas; hence I make the statement with some experience.
His grasp of the Arabic language is superb, as is his ability to explain, and write (he is an even better orator). People who remain Islamaphobic after reading this book and a few others like it need to examine their inability to get past their own subjective projections, as well as understand that criminal activity and wickedness need come in the guise of any ideology, be it a religous guise, or one espousing political ideology such as 'national interests', or 'foreign policy.' Neither piety, nor the American Ideal, are often found in the headlines or what passes these days as academic and historical works. Dr. Faiz Khan MD

Gound Zero nonsense aside, I have to say that this is one of the most ooey-gooey, badly written, patronizing, craven books on Islam yet. Its thesis: the Clash of Civilizations isn't necessary, because we have SO much in common. When the Abrahamic ethic, or "Judaeo-Christian tradition," developed in the ancient world, Moslems were ultimately blessed to realize the full profundity and infinite extent of God's law: sharia. Since God made everything, sharia can be found everywhere! (Plato' "Republic," anyone?) Sadly, in the West, sharia wandered into the weeds for a bit, yet even here you can see sharia. Rauf ruminates on Dawkins' ruminations on sociobiology, which prove that nature is sharia-compliant (as is, presumably, Dawkins himself -- he'll be pleased to know this). The Constitution? Founded on the Abrahamic ethic of love, and hence sharia-compliant (though "The Federalist," which Rauf's clearly never read, contains not one reference to The Bible, but a TON of quotes from the Greco-Roman classics, which he's also never read). The separation of powers concept is really brilliant, which makes it Islamic (though the idea really comes from Aristotle's "Politics," the only work of the canon that was never translated into Arabic, so Rauf's not likely to have read it either.) Gee whiz -- you can just TELL the Godliness of the Constitution -- it's proven by a quote from Nino Scalia (who in real life undoubtedly loathes Rauf's bleedin' guts)! The reason we need Rauf to tell us this is that, of late, the West has been assaulted by Militant Secularism (which Rauf can't distinguish from atheism, but neither can Pat Robertson), but the sooner we disregard these people (who presumably include Aristotle himself, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Ibn Warraq, and -- lest we forget -- Salman Rushdie, all available on Amazon and all more honest writers) the sooner we'll become REALLY sharia-compliant, and we'll all live happily ever after. Clearly, this is Sayyid Qutb Lite. Regrettably, Rauf ignores the fact that the theocratic tendencies of Islam have caused far more suffering among Jews and Christians than vice versa (by the way -- what WERE those Moors doing in the south of France? And just why did they massacre the Jews of Granada?) and that Moslems are still dipping ther hands merrily in each others' blood. And try looking up the word "apostasy" in the index. It isn't there, of course -- guess why. Ignore this book. It's junk. (An addendum, several months later: you don't have to feel guilty about not buying this; Rauf won't starve. I recently heard on the news that he's got about $100 million worth of backing for his mosque from sources he won't reveal, so he doesn't need your money.)

clearly demonstrating why islam should be examined in as fine detail as Christianity and Judaism. Rauf paints a portrait of the islamic mind which measures the non-muslim world from a position of superiority.

The first few reviews of this book written by my fellow Amamzonians were exactly what I expected to read. Reviewer Tom Swift spouts racists nonsense about " total world conquest ", while Mohammed Irfan Shariff toes the ultra conservative Sunni line that condemns anything Sufi.

Tragically it seems that prevailing views, both within the Muslim world and without, have effectively smothered the voice of rational, forward thinking, Islam.

Feisal Abdul Rauf presents the reader with a very well laid out, well crafted, highly logical and even handed presentation of the challenges that face Islamic nations and the rest of the world as we try ( some of us at least ) to find ways to coexist in mutually beneficial ways. Personally, there wasn't anything in this book that I hadn't read or experienced previously. The history of the rise and spread of Islam has been written about by many authors, each with his or her particular bias. What the good Imam has done however, is to provide a wonderfully thorough context in which to examine the history of Islam via vis it's relationship with the western world.

I challenge Tom Swift to attend Friday prayers at his local mosque. What he will experience is a sincerely warm greeting and a willingness to share very openly about Islam's core beliefs. I did this back in the late 90's and was deeply moved, not only by the personal contact, but by the Imam's firm declaration that the United States was, and I quote, " the best place in the world to be a Muslim ". I respectfully remind Mohammed Irfan Shariff, that many of Islam's greatest achievements in science and philosophy were accomplished by Sufis and that many of the world's Sufis are devoted to the Qur'an and are deeply observant Muslims.

The author ends this book with numerous, realistic, well considered recommendations, that will in all likelihood never see the light of day. Frankly, the status quo of mistrust and hostility are very important to many of our world's leaders. If they can't distract us by pointing a finger at the " evil other ", their own corruption and incompetence will be exposed. It's easier to hate, and it turns out it's much more financially remunerative, too. Even the media ( particularly in the USA ) has given up on in depth reporting in favor of slickly delivered shards of violent, negative images. Evidently, there's no profit in peace.

Still, I recommend this book very sincerely. If things are ever going to get better in this tragedy filled world, it will be people like Feisal Abdul Rauf who will show us the way.

I'll end this review with a personal note. I found myself in Malaysia in February 2004. Given the fact that Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim nation, and that my country was pursuing a highly unpopular war in Iraq, I was a bit apprehensive as to how I would be received. What I found was a people who went out of their way to assure me that the Malaysian people didn't hold individual Americans responsible for their government's policies. It was made very clear to me that to treat a guest with anything other than generosity and respect was un-Islamic.

What is right with Islam, is what is right with Religion, it is what is right with America, and it is what is right with this book. A book which should serve as a prerequisite to anything you ever read about Islam from this day forward.
For Muslims, this book will trigger a collective sigh of relief for unleashing the traditionally muffled moderate voice. Christians, Jews, and people of every religious and secular persuasion will sigh in relief at its rather straightforward message of hope and invitation to peace. Aspiring fundamentalists in every camp, who are too ill equipped to reach an end to their fanatical rationalizations and justifications, should sigh, that this book will put an end to extremist interpretations on their behalf. You cannot read this book and still retain any delusions about the middle east or modern west. It is a wake up call to both the cultured mind and the over zealous heart.
No matter how you set out to read this book, whether as an academician, or as a politician, or even a devout Muslim, you will surely conclude its reading as a humanitarian devoid of any academic, political, or religious aspirations. You will, against your own will, abort any preconceived notions you bring to its reading.
I suspect It will attract a wide audience, given its appeals to both our prudent sensibilities, while simultaneously advocating for a psychology of love without categorically yielding the final say, to either perspective. It is less an endorsement of a religion, then it is a plea to recognize and celebrate the commonalties which have united all religions in the past and can unite us once again. The frustrating irony which begs advertisement and public notice, is that Islam and western democracy are ideologically compatible.
Imam Abdul-Rauf reminds us that no one is immune to the compelling pressures which mobilize people to commit atrocities in the name of God. Pressures which are mediated less by religion and more by economic and sociological developments. In an effort to explain the motivations behind the prevailing trends towards fundamentalism In the Muslim world, Imam Abdul- Rauf, answers, with great clarity, those questions that many have been tempted to explain away as the fanatical rage of the disesteemed. Explanations which lend themselves to blanket generalizations about Muslims here and abroad. Generalization which have done nothing to facilitate our campaign towards attaining security and peace.
His is not a mission to justify, but rather to rectify the current circumstances which have plagued our nation. And he does so by arming the reader with a crash course education that is a culmination of both his scholarship and invaluable first hand experience. It is not based on rhetoric and flimsy assumptions, but on the forgotten precedence for pluralism and peace that was established by forefathers, prophets and messengers.
The scenario he paints demands representation as the most viable alternative to the "get them for they get us" mentality. Iman Abdul- Rauf, does not rely on conventional means of persuasion to demonstrate the conciliatory nature of Islam and democracy. He substantiates his claims with concrete examples, and more importantly, with suggestions for developing various mechanisms of implementation.
If it was not so heavily peppered with superb analogies and historical insights, this book would read like a peace manifesto for moderates in every faith tradition. It is not only a voice of reason and moderation, but of authority and much needed objectivity. It is the voice of an American who loves his country, and of a Muslim who loves his faith, and of an advocate of a brand of democratic capitalism which caters to the best parts of both these identities.

This book is a must read for people of all faiths.American Muslims will benefit from the clarity, vision and the road map laid out by the author in addressing the current divide between the Muslims and the West. The author skillfully examines the history of previous religious groups--Jews, Catholics-how after immigration from Europe they developed an American identity. The result was they were able to influence Jews and Catholics outside USA, a great lesson for the American Muslims.

For readers of other faiths, the author provides succint answers to contemporary questions--suicide bombings page 146,147,155, the emergence and influence of Wahhabism page 194-196, Womens role and rights p216, why Muslims are angry p234, 240.
With clear Quranic references the author demonstrates the compatibility between the Islamic principles and US constitution.
The final chapters describe in some detail the work American Muslims have to do in order to close the widening and dangerous gap between the 1.2 billion Muslims and the West.
This book is full of information and more importantly ends on a positive and hopeful note.

Imam Feisal's holds my attention and has taught me a lot about Islam and its history. It is aimed at people who are not knowledgeable about Islam--be they Muslim or not. Anyone who wants to know what the Koran says and how it was originally interpreted with find this interesting. Feisal has gone back to the early days and described the ideal then compared it to how practice has evoved and changed away from its original flavor. The approach is thoughtful, positive and hopeful. He makes Islam appealing to a non-Muslim in a very matter of fact way. I hope it is read as much by Muslims as by others, both here and overseas.

I fervently hope that the White House will read and understand the implications of this fine book!

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf has written a work of extraordinary importance. Going far beyond the usual cliches about the Muslim world, he sheds fresh light on the history and origins of today's Middle East tensions. His thesis regarding the historic economic factors that have added to Muslim frustration - the Islamic rejection of interest, the Western invention of the corporation, etc. - makes fascinating and compelling reading.

Rauf picks up where Samuel Huntington left off; and in so doing, he offers a more complete and nuanced picture of how things "went wrong" between the Muslim world and the West. As an American Muslim who is clearly committed both to his religion and his country, Rauf's views are refreshingly fair and balanced.

If we are ever to create a world free from terrorism, understanding the wisdom in this book will be absolutely essential.