An Introduction to Islam for Jews Kindle Edition

by Reuven Firestone PhD (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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ISBN-13: 978-0827608641

ISBN-10: 0827608640

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Muslim-Jewish relations in the United States, Israel, and Europe are tenuous. Jews and Muslims struggle to understand one another and know little about each other’s traditions and beliefs. Firestone explains the remarkable similarities and profound differences between Judaism and Islam, the complex history of Jihad, the legal and religious positions of Jews in the world of Islam, how various expressions of Islam (Sunni, Shi`a, Sufi, Salafi, etc.) regard Jews, the range of Muslim views about Israel, and much more. He addresses these issues and others with candor and integrity, and he writes with language, symbols, and ideas that make sense to Jews. Exploring these subjects in today’s vexed political climate is a delicate undertaking. Firestone draws on the research and writings of generations of Muslim, Jewish, and other scholars, as well as his own considerable expertise in this field. The book’s tone is neither disparaging, apologetic, nor triumphal. Firestone provides many original sources in translation, as well as an appendix of additional key sources in context. Most importantly, this book is readable and reasoned, presenting to readers for the first time the complexity of Islam and its relationship toward Jews and Judaism.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Firestone provides a balanced introduction to Islam that will be helpful for all beginners, but particularly for the Jewish readers for whom it is intended. The first part offers a survey of Islamic history, with special emphasis on the interactions of Jews and Muslims throughout (and an entire chapter devoted to the violent relations in seventh-century Medina). Firestone extends a real effort to be fair to both sides; in his discussion of Muhammad's massacre of between 600 and 900 Jewish men, for instance, he reminds readers that the Jews had committed treason and points to examples in the Hebrew Bible where Israelites engaged in similar tactics. Part two digs into the foundations of Islamic law and belief, discussing the Qur'an, the prophetic tradition, key doctrines and sharia law. The final, and perhaps most interesting, part explores Islam in practice. Firestone undertakes an in-depth discussion of the Five Pillars of Islam, finding much common ground: like Muslims, Jews have an ancient tradition of praying at set times; early Muslims, like Jews, fasted on the 10th day of a particular month. (Aug.) ""
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Reuven Firestone is a professor of medieval Jewish and Islamic studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles. Many of Rabbi Firestone's past publications, such as Jews, Christians, Muslims in Dialogue, Children of Abraham: An Introduction to Judaism for Muslims, and Journeys in Holy Lands focus on interfaith relations, with specific attention given to Islam. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

"Reuven Firestone has made a valuable contribution toward making Islam understood and appreciated by the Jewish people." --Muzammil H. Siddiqi, chairman, Fiqh Council of North America. "Reuven Firestone's eminently readable book contains a comprehensive, authoritative, and sympathetic introduction to Islam, written for Jews, but speaking to all men and women of good will. Throughout, the author offers a sober and nuanced analysis of relations between Islam and other religions, particularly Judaism... . The book represents a major contribution to better understanding of the `real' Islam." --Marc Cohen, professor of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University. "...Firestone's book shines as a beacon of scholarship and humanity. While Muslims might challenge some of Firestone's interpretations of Islam, they will never find him mean-spirited or ill-informed. Firestone has demonstrated that it is possible for Jews and Muslims to engage in an honest evaluation of their shared history and still find enough common ground to work for a better shared future." --Ingrid Mattson, president, Islamic Society of North America In this timely and invaluable book, Reuven Firestone explains the remarkable similarities and profound differences between Judaism and Islam, the complex history of Jihad, the legal and religious positions of Jews in the world of Islam, how various expressions of Islam (Sunni, Shi`a, Sufi, Salafi, etc.) regard Jews, the range of Muslim views about Israel, and much more. He addresses these issues and others with candor and integrity, and he writes using language and ideas that make sense to Jews.

Firestone draws on the research and writings of generations of Muslim, Jewish, and other scholars, as well as his own considerable expertise in this field. He provides many original sources in translation, as well as an appendix of additional key sources in context. Reuven Firestone is professor of Medieval Judaism and Islam at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles and director of the Institute for the Study and Enhancement of Muslim-Jewish Interrelations (ISEMJI), a program of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. He is the author of Jihad: The Origin of Holy War in Islam (Oxford University Press); Children of Abraham: An Introduction to Judaism for Muslims (Ktav); and Jews, Christians, Muslims in Dialogue: A Practical Handbook, with Leonard Swidler and Khalid Duran (Twenty-Third Publications). --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Helping Jews understand Islam--a reasoned and candid view --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"An Introduction to Islam for Jews is perfect for any Jewish reader seeking an understanding of Islam... a scholarly yet accessible title." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"This book provides the Jewish reader with a valuable tool: a readable, comprehensive, and reliable introduction to Islam with special attention to issues relevant to Jews regarding past and present events and attitudes... This authoritative and readable book is of value for students and general readers alike." --Rachel Simon, Princeton University, AJL Newsletter, November/December 2008

"In the post 9/11 world, a text that explains the historical background and fundamental tenets of Islam in a readable and detailed way is sorely needed. An Introduction to Islam for Jews succeeds admirably in fulfilling this need." --Multicultural Review, Winter 2009 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001NXDF32
Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Jewish Publication Society (May 19, 2008)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 19, 2008
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2863 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #1,445,812 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #216 in Islamic Rituals & Practice (Kindle Store)
- #422 in Islamic History
- #455 in Jewish Life (Kindle Store)

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C. Derick VarnTop Contributor: Graphic Novels

A very balanced book

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2015

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Firestone's book fills a niche in that covers both an introduction to Islamic religion and culture as well as comparative religious treatments on the relationship between people of the book. It is a fairly balanced tome that seeks to balance a deep sense of sympathy with Islamic religion and culture with an honest treatment of tensions between Islamic and Jewish cultures. Many will see this balance as either "white-washing" the history of Muslim-Jewish relations or a subtle undermining of the truth of either the Torah or the Qu'ran. In many more negative reviews, I have seen accusations that Firestone ignores the doctrine of tahrif, which Firestone does not name, but discuss. He also discusses counter-veiling tendencies in the Qu'ran and the Hadith as well as the ways the Hadith developed in more strict way it first appears in the Qu'ran, and that this actually does parallel, fairly directly, halakkah developments and the oral law in Judaism.

Indeed, Firestone makes it clear that distrust between Judaism and Islam goes both ways and has a long history. While it is true that Firestone does paint things sympathetically, he does not deny the particular tension between Jews and Muslims. Indeed, he points out that while Jewish and Islamic theology and approaches to religious law are actually more similar than either Jewish and Christian or Christian and Muslim relations, Islamic tradition has been more forgiving of Christians as people of the book than Jews, and has made less claims on its tradition beyond the Qu'rans particular reading of stories that also appear in the gospels, albiet in a profoundly different light in creedal Christian readings.

Firestone points out a lot of both the cultural and linguistic relationship to the Judaism in the Qu'ran and in Arabic culture at large. The clear relationship of Hebrew and Arabic as semitic languages, the mutual readings of the common tradition, and the overlapping and often competing cultural mileau is brought into focus. Historical development of Islam is discussed in some detail as are competing traditions of Shari'ia. The tensions of the "Jewish Golden Age" in Islamic Spain are brought out clearly as are the occasional backlashes against Jews in the pre-modern Muslim world. Firestone does mention that these were not as brutal or repressive as in Christian Europe nor were massacres of Jews as common as in pre-reformation Christian world or the early 20th century.

Firestone does shy away from discussing the tensions post-Zionism too directly, and this is small flaw in the book. The reversal of Muslim fortunes under modernity is discussed as is colonialism, but the establishment of Israel out of the British mandate is glossed over in a few sentences, and the profound distrust this creates on both sides of the divide is played down.

That caveat is an important one as is some of the historical tensions described within the Firestone's treatment. It strives to me honest and yet respectful of believers in all three of the largest "Abrahamic" faiths, and while I think it works, that is still going to be alienating to some.

3 people found this helpful

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Jeff Siddiqui

A Must-Read for Jews AND for Muslims

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2019

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There are few people who have achieved the level of multi-scholarship as Reuven Firestone has achieved in Islam and Judaism including the holy texts, their origins and their connections.

He writes in a compassionate manner rather than a partisan one, which made it very interesting for me and a great learning experience.

It is a Must-read for Jews AND for Muslims!

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Philip Weismehl

An Exceptional Read and Eye Opener

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2013

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Our congregation had this as a read for our book group and sometime later had the author as a guest speaker. The book is exceptionally well written and clarified so many things for me not only in terms of Islam but Judaism and Christianity as well, e.g., that each faith reached a point where it closed off prophecy and viewed what came later as heresy. Highly recommended on so many levels. Very insightful and very accessible.

3 people found this helpful

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C. Bolton

Scholarly, Comprehensive, Balanced

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2008

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This volume presumes some knowledge of interfaith studies, and, in that sense, some knowledge of how Judaism differs from Christianity, but it is not just for Jews. Instead, this volume is probably the best concise overview of Islam available in English.

While one may differ with the judgments of the author here and there, he is unfailingly balanced and at least references all major contrary opinions. One cannot do everything in roughly 250 pages [plus a glossary of Arabic terms, a bibliography for further reading, a table of biblical and koranic references and a good index], but this volume covers more territory better and more clearly than any other comparable volume.

The author is a scholar of the best sort and should be congratulated on his achievement.

10 people found this helpful

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Bye Bye to Books

If you will only read one on Islam, this is it.

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2014

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The book is clear and concise, and does not require that you buy into the story of Islam to get the picture. Christians can get the same benefits from it, too. Yet it is respectful of believers.

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Robert Braun

Essential Reading

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2009

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I have known Reuven Firestone for a number of years and read some of his other writings. This book is both scholarly and readable. In particular, the book is organized not to make an argument, but to present facts which can allow a reader to make more informed decisions. In particular, Dr. Firestone emphasizes the importance of approaching Islam without preconceptions, or at least by accepting its validity, something which is often lost in the heat of today's rhetoric.

2 people found this helpful

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Howard

Interesting links between Islam and Judaism

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2015

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Readers of my review will have to understand that I am Jew who abhors ANY organized religion. I wanted to better understand the psyche of radical islamists. I thought that more familiarity with Islam and the Koran might help me in that endeavor. I did find that I was intrigued with the historical connections between Jews and Muslims and seriously lament the schism that occurred. But I have come to the conclusion that radical islam has no serious relation or connection to what I would call Islam and the Koran.

I highly recommend this text to people who want to better understand the historical connections between Jews and Muslims, and learn about interesting tidbits about each of the religions.

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James E. Johnson

Best review of Islam for those familiar with Judaism.

Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2008

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If you are a Jew or know more about Judaism than other faiths, this is the best introduction to Islam out there. It builds on one's understanding of Judaism that launches the reader far further forward than would otherwise be possible.

3 people found this helpful

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