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

by Feisal Abdul Rauf (Author) "Many of the earliest civilizations believed in a plurality of gods..." (more)
Key Phrases: ilaha illallah, lim world, lesser jihad, United States, We're All History, American Muslims (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Rauf, a Manhattan imam whose mosque is only 12 blocks from the World Trade Center site, argues that what keeps the Islamic world and America apart, and what fuels Islamic terrorism, is economics, politics, Muslim defensiveness—everything but religion. In fact, Rauf believes that America best represents Islam's true values. His major theme is the existence of an "Abrahamic ethic" which undergirds all the monotheistic religions and extols equality and justice. If Muslims, especially American Muslims, harness this Abrahamic ethic, Rauf promises Islam will once again contribute to the universal striving for a better society. In countering Bernard Lewis's What Went Wrong?, Rauf raises numerous valid points: the U.S. overthrow of democratic Islamic regimes in Iran and Indonesia; U.S. creation and sponsorship of Afghan mujahideen to fight the Soviet Union; the anti-Muslim bias of American media (a point echoed by Karen Armstrong in the foreword); the massive, debilitating effect colonization had on most of the Islamic world; and the "drawing [of] lines" in the Middle East and South Asia by European powers after WWI and WWII, dooming countries with wildly diverse populations to perpetual unrest. However, Rauf presents these points sporadically and less eloquently than some previous commentators. The book's strengths include a concise history of Islam as well as brief but valuable insights into the American Muslim community. The few references to his own personal story also resonate: "Like many immigrants from Muslim lands, I discovered my Islam in America."
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Review
"An important counterweight to anti-Islamic polemics." -- Library Journal

"An invigorating glimpse into the heart and mind of a wise Muslim seeking the higher ground." -- Christian Science Monitor

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (May 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060582723
• ISBN-13: 978-0060582722
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #346,930 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most refreshing perspective in years, June 5, 2004

By A Customer

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.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful book, June 13, 2005

By	D. Golden (Savannah, GA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stimulating and thoughful on Islam in America, August 13, 2004

By	L. F Sherman "dikw" (Wiscasset, ME United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.