About this title: In this compelling--and profoundly hopeful--book, Aslan demonstrates that Islam has much in common with Christianity and Judaism, and bears seeds of egalitarianism and social reform at its core.
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Edition: NEW ED
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: ARROW BOOKS LTD Country = UNITED KINGDOM
Date Published: 2006
ISBN-13:9780099472322ISBN:0099472325
Description: BRAND NEW PAPERBACK. 336 pages. (336 pages) how does allah differ from the god of jews and christians? can an islamic state be founded on democratic values such as pluralism and human rights? addressing these questions and challenging the 'clash of civilisations' mentality that has distorted our view of islam, this book explains this faith. edition new ed (Paperback) read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Date Published: 2006-01-10
ISBN-13:9780812971897ISBN:0812971892
Description: Very Good. Slight wear on cover. May have personal inscription. Otherwise in like new condition. Usually ships next business day. For faster delivery, we suggest the Expedited Shipping Option. Buy with Pride! Zinc Media, Feel the Power of Knowledge! read more
Description: Acceptable. Shows definite wear, and perhaps considerable marking on inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Random House
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9781400062133ISBN:1400062136
Description: Good. Used item may show library stamps, stickers and marks. Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Random House
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9781400062133ISBN:1400062136
Description: Good. Used item may show library stamps, stickers and marks. Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Random House
Date Published: 2005-03-15
ISBN-13:9781400062133ISBN:1400062136
Description: Very Good. Nice clean copy with light shelf wear to dust jacket. No inscriptions or markings of any kind. Spine is tight and straight. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd
Date Published: 02/03/2006
ISBN-13:9780099472322ISBN:0099472325
Description: Used-Good. Book in good or better condition. Dispatched same day from warehouse. Please email with any questions for quick response. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Random House Trade
Date Published: 2006
ISBN-13:9780812971897ISBN:0812971892
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Very light cover wear; no remainder mark; no writing in book; no creases to covers; page corners or spine; binding tight; pages bright, odor-free; will pack securely, ship promptly w/Delivery Confirmation. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 310 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Description: Like New. Book appears unread, but may have a publisher's mark or minor shelf wear. We are the Twin Cities' largest independent book store. read more
"It is more important, I think, for Muslims to read this book more than any other group of people. Because as a Muslim one stands inside a mystified shroud of one's own religion, it is easy to assume that one knows all one needs to know about it, and the view is almost always impeccable. I have long understood my religion as perfect as a matter of faith, but I would always welcome a good argument to temper this understanding.
Reza Aslan's book provides a welcome understanding, and demystification of one of the most important movements in world history. Islam as a social institution is shown in its human form, and in this context, subject to human flaws. The Prophet, long revered as the perfect human being, is shown to be all too human given his pre-Islamic pagan practices. The companions of the Prophet are shown to be political at its purist form, warring over the future of the religion. These and other considerations in the book, expose the social underpinnings not only of Islam, but of religion in general.
An admirable component of the book, is its ability to explain the mystic movement of Sufism in a clear and intelligible manner revealing a sect that is intimately in-tune with the 'spiritual' side of religion to the extent that it lends new meaning to the abused notion of the spirit in contemporary new-age thinking.
The book balances rigorous argument with the dept of empathy, and is written is a clear and elegant manner making it an ease to read despite the depth of its content.
In the context of the current clash of fundamentalisms, this book is perfectly poised to expose religion as a social institution to be understood in order to better arrest any misconceptions leading to bloodshed based on absolute notions of the way we should live."
"Everything you ever wanted to know about Islam, but were too afraid or too benighted to ask.
This book is a great antidote to the kind of ridiculous rhetoric we see about "Islamofascism" (essentially a contradiction in terms, btw) as it explores the history of Islam, and how that history is the real subject of the current divide in the Islamic world. The author's central thesis is that the collected textual and extratextual traditions of Islam, like those of any other religion, can be assembled to support either values that we (non-fundamentalist-Muslims) support, or values we don't. What's currently going on (per the author) is a massive intra-Muslim conflict over the basic meaning of Islam, essentially an Islamic Reformation. What is at stake is Islam's image in the world and significance in world affairs. Most of the book is devoted to supporting this thesis, demonstrating that there's plenty for every American to love in the Islamic tradition (such as a rejection of clan and class privileges and of the oppression of women), and that there are Islamic scholars who are well aware of this and arguing for it.
Needless to say, the author also indicates that the US media and government does the world a great disservice by falsely claiming that the fundamentalists are the only legitimate Islamic voices. Really we should be acknowledging Islamic moderates and championing them--even though ultimately the battle for the soul of Islam is one between Muslims, in which the US need have only peripheral involvement (if any). In some ways, the best thing we can do might just be to butt out."
"This book was required reading for a most excellent class that I am taking, Western Religions, with Professor James Wellman at University of Washington.
It's only in the last couple of years that I have taken the time to learn about Islam and how diverse the religion really is. Aslan's book really made me realize how beautiful and elegant the religion is as well. The author's style is utterly captivating; he starts each chapter showing off his writerly side. But his talent doesn't stop there; he systematically refutes misconceptions about Islam and exposes many myths and secrets about the religion -- not the shadowy secrets that seem to loom over the American consciousness over the last decade or so, but in fact the secrets the effects of colonialism and Western interference throughout history. He does this subtly and without a heavy hand.
More importantly, Aslan offers *solutions* -- 'If we could just realize -this-, then we could accomplish -that-.' He proposes that we are in the midst of an Islamic Reformation, in Islam's 15th century, similar to the painful and history-changing one of Christianity's 15th century.
I highly recommend this book and it will have a place on my shelf for a long time. I will probably reread it whenever possible. It is *exciting*. Aslan is an important voice in comparative religion and I look forward to his further works."
"An amazing book! Especially now in the media, where there is so much assumption of the Islamic religion--its traditions, culture, and politics--this book provides a refreshing look at the reality of this culture and where it all stemmed from.
Aslan, born in Iran and moved to the United States during the Iranian Revolution, approaches the history of Islam almost as a work of fiction. As a reader, you become invested in the characters--Muhammed, Khadijah, Abu Bakr, and Ali. They become real people struggling through adversity in a time of confussion and choas. It is through this story-like quality of the naration that you begin to see how Muhammed organized unruly tribes into a cohesive group that was socially, economically, and culturally stable and productive.
Once laying down the foundation of Islam--how it really began--Aslan begins to show you how the religion has deviated from Muhammed's original plan throughout the centuries. He lays heavy on the ulema and how they have interpreted and created laws in Islam that make it what it is today.
Most importantly, Aslan reveals Islam not as a religion as westerners know religion, but as a culture that has a religion base. As seen through the creation of Islam by Muhammed, you cannot separate religion, economics, or politics in Islam--they are mutually inclusive and if they are separated (as the West would prefer) everything will suffer as a result. What Aslan seems to be promoting is a more liberal form of Islam that would acknowledge the original intentions of Muhammed and the history of their culture, but also open their mind to the emerging world around them. By reminding Muslims of their history, you reestablish their culture. Aslan suggests that by reaffirming Islam as a culture for the Muslim people, they will be more willing to accept aspects of democracy in their politics.
This book is a must read! Approachable, interesting, provocative--Aslan tears away the mush the media feeds and exposes the truth, beauty, and potential that is Islam.
Also--check out "We are Iran: The Persian Blogs" for a look at how Muslims kids are embracing the 21st century."
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