Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs (Paperback)

~ (Author), Emir Fethi Caner (Author) "THE FLICKERING IMAGE ON THE screen is surreal..." (more)
Key Phrases: eternal security, Jesus Christ, United States, Word of God (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This informative, well-written book should be read by every Christian who desires to understand Islam and to see Muslims come to Jesus Christ for salvation" (Roy B. Zuck Bibliotheca Sacra )

. (20070312)

. . . A useful framework to help Christians to witness to Muslims, particularly in the Western countries. (Christian Library Journal 20050401)

The single greatest strength of this book is that it is not published as an exercise in academic research but rather as a tool for Christians to equip themselves. (Between the Leaves 20070312)

This is fascinating. Two former Muslims talk about Islam from the inside. It's a fairly simple but complete read, among other things I think I now get why we supported Iraq as opposed to Iran. I'm not really sure how to describe it, but I think in this day and age, we all need to read it. (journals.aol.com )

Product Description

Islam is often obscured by a veil of unfamiliar beliefs, customs, and practices. We watch intriguing images of Islamic nations on our televisions. We hear words like Muslim and Jihad defined in conflicting terms.

What is Islam, truly, when you peek behind the veil? Who can explain this culture with clarity and precision?

Raised as Sunni Muslims by a leader in the Muslim faith, brothers Ergun and Emir Caner have lived the Muslim life. Now Christians and highly respected theology professors, the Caner brothers are in a unique position to present an unprecedented insider¹s look at Islam.

Unveiling Islam is a sympathetic yet uncompromising presentation of the entire scope of Islam--its practices, ethics, and beliefs, including the primary differences between Christianity and Islam. With a basic knowledge of Islam in place, the authors then present a practical strategy Christians can use to open a productive dialogue with Muslims.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825424003
• ISBN-13: 978-0825424007
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (146 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,211 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting introduction, but not the whole story, June 4, 2004

By A Customer

I seem to be one of the very few reviewers on this page who has mixed feelings about this book. The message it preaches is not an easy one to swallow. Though it claims to be a 'sympathetic' portrayal of Islam, I found it to be far more negative than sympathetic. It is also, I am sad to say, much harsher with individual passages from the Qu'ran than with isolated passages from the Bible - and I say that as a practicing Christian. Consequently it is all-too easy to rush to take an extreme view of the book. Those who have little experience of Islam outside the atrocities of 9/11 will find it an illuminating expose on the true nature of the religion. Those who are Muslim, or are familiar with practitioners of the faith, will probably find that it grossly distorts the true religion in a poor attempt at propaganda. Neither of these views are quite correct.

Although the Caner brothers ask interesting questions which do need asking (namely: have Islamic terrorists twisted the true message of the Islamic faith...or, alternatively, have peace-loving Muslims deceived themselves into neglecting key tenets of the religion?) the refusal to acknowledge the positive aspects of Islam weakens their argument somewhat. I have numerous Muslim friends in this country, and I can confidently say that much of what the Caner brothers assert comes down to matters of culture, NOT matters of Islam. For example, my best friend informs me that in no way does the Qu'ran advocate the wearing of the Burkha. Women, apparently, are instructed to cover their hair - not the entire face. The Caner brothers imply that the wearing of the Burkha is an instruction of the Qu'ran. Nor do the westernised Islamic men I know beat their wives. Finally, it is usually *much* easier to make friends with an Islamic family than is portrayed in "Unveiling Islam".

However, I am very surprised by some of comments in the one-star reviews on this page. I am left with the feeling that some reviewers stopped reading the text once they realised it would not conform to their expectations. One reviewer writes: 'One has to only take the Crusades into consideration to realise how much innocent blood was spewed at the sword in the name of Christ, the savior.' Fair point. Unfortunately, this point was addressed several times by the authors in their book. They make it patently clear that the Crusades were bloody and horrible - but contrary to the teachings of Jesus. The point they make throughout the book is that any blood shed in the name of Islam may not necessarily be contrary to the teachings of Muhammed. Another reviewer asserts: 'this book does not use any authentic Hadiths'. Hadiths, however, appear repeatedly in each chapter. Whether they are 'authentic' or not, I don't know - what, exactly, is an unauthentic Hadith? Another reviewer states that: 'The brothers never bother to explain...why their father disowned them.' Yes, they do. They point to the passages in the Qu'ran which advocate the parental rejection of children who turn away from Islam. The brothers also put forward a pretty convincing argument for the interpretation of Jihad as a physical war, not an internal war.

The best thing about this book is that I put it down thirsting for more information. Because of "Unveiling Islam" I will be reading the Qu'ran, and then comparing it with the Bible. I wish to read the Hadiths. I want to find out more about the Crusades, and more about the different Islamic sects.

I recommend it as a starting point, because the questions it raises are uncomfortable, yet highly valuable. Unfortunately, though, the biased slant makes this book too unreliable to be regarded as the whole story.

72 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference, a little preachy., July 12, 2002

By A Customer

Being an atheist with a thirst for knowledge of religions, and already knowing a great deal about islam, I picked up this book to check out what an insider felt about the religion. These guys have compiled a great quick read of some of the beliefs of islam. Obviously this book is biased, but the arguments are incredibly well supported. The book is kind of geared towards a christian who wants to witness to a muslim and that gives it an even more biased feel. If you don't believe what these guys are saying, I suggest you follow up on some of their references, especially those references that support the goodness of islam. The book is great, and I recommend it to anyone wanting to get a quick grasp of what the muslim beliefs are. You should also keep in mind that just as there are christians who never go to church and never read the bible and don't really understand their onwn religion, so are there muslims who do the same. Not all muslims believe in the causes for jihad, and they just want to be peaceful. The difference is these muslims are contradicting and being hypocritical to their professed belief system.

58 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book available on Islam, April 28, 2002

By	Ed Shallow (USA) - See all my reviews

I have been studying Islam since 911 and have read over 14 books on the same, including two translations of the Qur'an. This book is, by far, the best-of-the-best.

This book is factual and tells what other books will not, because of PC. It tells the truth about Islam and gives quotes from the Qur'an and the Hadith to support the Caner brothers' statements.

Great book...very timely.