Reviews (9)

She did not find God.God found her.
Isaiah 65:1 says, "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.I was found by those who did not seek me."
I dared to Call Him Father
This book was awesome.I had read it when I first became a Christian.I recently mentioned it to a person I was ministering to and decided to purchase a copy for her and one for me.The Lord spoke to me so much through this book.It's great!

Incredible example of when God CALLS His own - INSPIRING!
As a self-professed non-reader, I stayed up to 3AM just so I could finish the book! How amazing God is! It is a story of a woman - a Muslim by birth, with connection to high ranking Afghanistan officials and of upper class family connections - who one day came upon Jesus Christ in a dream which began her lifelong journey to seek the true God. Bilquis Sheikh risked everything - even her life and her love for her grandson Mahmud - to follow Christ. What was so hard to put down were the words that intricately described her emotional connection to God - something which practing Muslim must deny - and to have a personal relationship with Him. Her knowledge of the Quran and the Bible gave her an immeasurable platform which God used her even in the midst of death threats and personal sanctification. To be set apart for Christ was what she desired! I read the updated version of this book which gave some historical context to her life after she came to United States and the tragic murder of her beloved grandson Mahmud, who was defending a person from an "honor killing" (a practice where Muslims kill a family member because they became 'traitors' to the Islamic faith). The book is truly God-inspired, words in which gave me an encouraging view of my faith in Christ and how NOTHING is for my own and glory but that ALL THINGS ARE FOR CHRIST'S GLORY. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..." Philippians 4:13 ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Christian converts from Islam    4. Christianity - Evangelism    5. Islam - General    6. Religion    7. Religious    8. Sheikh, Bilquis    9. Religion / Evangelism   

Reviews (6)

textbook style guide with detail and clarity
One of the difficulties with having such a unified, unique and untouchably elevated God is in reconiciling Him with the nitty-gritty intimacy of life and creation.
The Best Work on Ibn Arabi's Non-Dualistic Cosmology to Date
Ibn Arabi is not easy reading. By far the best and most comprehensive book to date is this one -- perhaps Chittick's most important work yet. SPK is primarily a collection of translations from various sections of Ibn Arabi's greatest work, the Meccan Revelations, and is structured more as an anthology. Chittick puts in his own commentary here and there which helps decode the complexity of some of the passages. But for the most part, he allows Ibn Arabi to speak for himself. An expository not a deconstructive work
Chittick allows Ibn Arabi to speak for himself without attemptiong to fit him within a philosophical paradigm like other authors (Nicholson, Affifi). This itself is a landmark step in oriental studies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1165-1240    2. Creative ability    3. General    4. Ibn al-Arabi,    5. Imagination    6. Islam    7. Islam - Sufism    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Religious aspects    11. Sufism   

Reviews (62)

Much-needed call for reform
No question, Ibn Warraq's Leaving Islam includes many important essays by former Muslims, by birth or conversion, who subsequently renounced their faith.
First hand accounts of life under Islam
First of all, after reading this book, it does occur to me that the stories contained therein could have been about any number of other religious situations; and the editor/author does not claim that all of these experiences are unique to Islam - although some are, such as a slaughter by Muslims against Muslims in Bangladesh.
A Breakthrough Collection...
In Leaving Islam, as Salim Mansur from the University of Western Ontario wrote, Ibn Warraq has assembled a compelling list of writings from individuals of Muslim birth who renounced their faith. It serves as a companion of sorts to his own personal statement, Why I Am Not a Muslim,[Prometheus Books, 1995. See, "Brief Reviews," Middle East Quarterly, Mar. 1996, p. 86. Writings of other Muslims and non-Muslims who either share Ibn Warraq's perspective or have contributed to his work in general can be found at http://www.islam-watch.org/] and opens a window into a usually hushed topic, revealing internal Muslim debates concerning history, faith, and culture.
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Subjects:  1. Apostasy    2. Christian converts from Islam    3. Islam    4. Islam - General    5. Liberty of conscience (Islam)    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Religious tolerance   

Reviews (16)

A very good book
Michael Cook's 'very short introduction' is the ideal way to approach the Islamic scripture for the first time. Writing with wit and knowledge intermingled, Cook engages the reader from the introduction on forward--the story of the Koran is a fascinating trip interweaving faith and history, and Cook revels in the ride.
A Very Good Introduction:Praises the Praiseworthy, Blames the Blameworthy, & Can Tell the Difference
In looking for enlightenment on Islam, I have found that the currently available literature falls into three basic categories:anti-Islamic polemic, pro-Islamic apologetic, politically correct circumlocution.None of the three types promotes objectivity.
Cook's Koran Demystifies Fundamentalism
There is no better way to learn so much about The Koran in so little time as is possible with Michael Cook's A Very Short Introduction.I own several titles from the series and each has its strengths and weaknesses.This one shares a weakness with several of the other Short Introductions in that the topic is too exhaustive to cover in the less than two hundred pages used by Cook.
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Subjects:  1. Criticism, interpretation, etc    2. Islam - General    3. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    4. Koran    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts    8. Islam    9. Islamic studies    10. Religion & Theology | Islam    11. Religion / Koran   

Reviews (12)

Possibly the best and most faithful
A.J. Arberry's translation of the Koran has taken pre-eminence among religious and world literature scholars. Although Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation of the Koran has pride of place in many English-speaking Islamic households, Arberry's work above all others renders the Koranic language in suitably appropriate, easily-comprehended, English.
TO AMAZON.COM moderators!
I look through the reviews of the Qurans available on amazon and I see many hatemongering diatribes. I want to read reviews that tell me the quality of the book, not to read peoples religious fanaticism and political viewpoints. I see waaaay too much hatemongering in these reviews. Please clean it up or I will take my business elsewhere. Please people, don't take the bait and respond to them, instead report the posts, give them a no rating for 'helpfulness' and call and complain to Amazon customer service.

Answer to 'mistake in Quran'
This interpretation of the Quran is quite good- however much is lost in terms of meaning as a result of the translation, which is often the case when translating a book like the Quran. For instance, one word in Arabic may have multiple meanings. Much is also lost in terms of the sounds of the Quran and it's beautiful rhetoric. This is even what A.J Arberry said himself:
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Subjects:  1. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    2. Religion    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Religion & Beliefs    5. Religion / General   

Reviews (6)

Contours of the Breadth and Depth of Islamic Spirituality
Where do I begin?This book, although old (and, some would argue - perhaps fairly - a bit dated), is an incredible scholarly work on how various mystics within Islam have understood Islam's central claim: "There is no God but God, and Muhammad is His Prophet".According to Schimmel, all of Islamic mysticism can be summed up as trying to understand this core doctrine. BATINIS - THIS BOOK HAS SECRETS!
Attention all batinis - this book is a must-read!

The Awe of the Sufi Path
Annemarie Schimmel is probably the foremost scholar on the Sufi poet Jelalluddin Rumi, whose poetry is suffused with love and awe of the Divine. In much of her book Prof. Schimmel projects the same love, love of Islam and its people, most especially its mystics, the Sufis.It is also extremely informative about the history of Sufism and the different branches of its mystical path. If you are interested in the history of Sufism, and want to understand mystical Islam, this is the book for you.If you are looking for a quick study, or a popular way to practice Sufism, this is not for you.... Mystical Islam and orthodox Islam (as with most religions) are very different in practice and outlook, although there are conservative Sufis and out-there Sufis, as Prof. Schimmel aptly demonstrates. I loved this book and want to read more of her work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Islam - Sufism    3. Philosophy    4. Religion    5. Islam    6. Religion / Sufism    7. muslim religion; sufi; koran   

Reviews (1)

It's the Missing Ramadan Book!
Most Ramadan books are too difficult to read to my young students and I was missing that perfect book about this holiday.Now I can read them a book the students can enjoy and 1st and 2nd graders can read it on their own too!Thanks for the book, if only it had arrived sooner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Celebrations - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fasts and feasts    5. Holidays & Celebrations - General    6. Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Religious    7. Id al-Fitr    8. Islam    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. People & Places - General    12. Ramadan    13. Religion - Islam    14. °åId al-Fiòtr    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / Holidays & Festivals / Other, Religious   

Reviews (4)

Affirmative Action for Islam
The one star is for wonderful prose style and excellent exposition of the complicated cast of characters and events.
Compelling history told in a clear and interesting manner
Stephen O'Shea's Sea of Faith tells the important story of the Christian-Islam encounter from the seventh to the sixteenth century. He centers the narrative around key battles, but this is more than mere military history. O'Shea tells in a compelling and entertaining manner not only what happened, but why it happened, in a straightforward and clear manner. The book is well research, and well written. It is the sort of book that you picks up, and just cannot stop reading, as it commands your attention. At a time when relations between Christian and Islamic societies are strained, this book serves a very useful purpose in shedding light on our common histories.
Muslim vs Christian
"Sea of Faith" describes the relationships among Muslims, Christians, and Jews around the Mediterranean Sea during the Middle Ages.
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Subjects:  1. Battles    2. Christianity - History - General    3. East and West    4. Europe    5. History    6. History, Military    7. Islam - General    8. Mediterranean Region    9. Middle East - General    10. Religion    11. Religion - World Religions    12. World - General   

Reviews (24)

Quran and women
wow! for a small book it is rich in scholarly discourse. It is not an easy book to read even for the well read. However, it's a welcome exegis for those who want a solid base in Quranic revelation regarding women (from a woman's perspective), and then move forward. This is a rare and encouraging opportunity to see genius at work.

Everyone should read this
Most Muslims are not Arabs, and consequently don't speak Arabic, the language of the Qur'an. So an awful lot of Muslims themselves have never actually read the Qur'anic verses about women and tried to make sense of them. On the other hand, most non-Muslims have never read the Qur'an, and tend to assume that the Muslim view of women is more or less that of the Taliban or the Saudis. This book, written by an progressive Muslim American academic with a Ph.D. in Arabic, should be essential reading for both the above groups.

AN IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE
This black American Muslim woman's profound study of the Qu'ran with respect to women in Islam ismuch needed because it questions the widely accepted attitude among Muslims that women are in certain respects inferior. This is not a superficial study and it bears re-reading and reflection. I read it once while reading the work by Irshad manji, "What is Wrong with Islam." The two books are quite different, but I found they complement each other. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - General    2. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    3. Koran    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Social Science    7. Theology    8. Women In Islam    9. Women in the Koran    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Islam    12. Religion & Theology | Islam    13. Religion / Islam    14. Sacred texts    15. Women's studies   

Reviews (7)

The art of sacred geometry
This little book, Sacred Geometry, is not only magical and straightforward in its substance, but is a visual delight.It reminds and further inspires to realize the connectedness of all of life and our part in it.It helps me, also, as an artist, to remember the basic forms that resonate in all of creation. This is not only a good book to give as a gift, but is a good one to have on your own bookshelf.

Fascinating Mathematics....
This is a delightful little book.If you have any interest in Geometry,Math,Design,Shapes,Tile patterns,Puzzles,etc.you'll really enjoy this book.Surprisingly ,you can grasp most of this book knowing high school math,;while at the same time those with more math knowledge will also enjoy it as well.I guess it falls right in the realm of Mathematical Recreations.I am amazed that the author has put together a beautifully writen book,including 168 drawings,figures,diagrams and on top of that shows how most are constructed.All this has been accomplished in 64 pages ,including an introduction.

I just loved this book
This book is a treasure.I was given it as a present and I find myself turning to it for all sorts of ideas and also give it as a present quite regularly.She has managed to pull together a huge amount of wonderful information into a relatively small space.This is an inspiring, beautiful, thought provoking and even useful book.I am a graphic and fabrics designer and I had not come across some of these things before so I am very grateful for them.Read more

Subjects:  1. Geometry - General    2. Geometry, Plane    3. Mathematics    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Geometry    6. Islam   

Reviews (6)

Essential for policy-makers and scholars alike
I feel genuinely better about the prospects for greater understanding and reduced conflict between the U.S. and the Muslim world because of people like Graham Fuller.Knowing that someone like Fuller worked for the CIA and was in a position to positively influence events should make us all feel better.
Informative and well-written overview of political Islam today
In _The Future of Political Islam_, author Graham E. Fuller sought to answer the fundamental questions of what is the nature and future of political Islam. Does political Islam represent the "last heroic stand" of Muslim culture against (largely American-led) globalization or does it instead represent a dynamic new synthesis of Islam and contemporary Western political thinking?
Refuting the Neocons:
Tahir Ali - author of book "Muslim Vote: Counts and Recounts"
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Islam - General    3. Political Science    4. Politics/International Relations    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Islam    7. Political ideologies    8. Religion / Islam   

Reviews (1)

deep, rich, well considered and comprehensive
This review really applies to all three volumes.Hodgson's work is not for those new to Islamic studies, and his writing style is complex.Few are the sentences that lack at least one subjunctive clause.But hisadoption of key Arabic terms in his narrative; his broad geographic sweep,from Andalusia and the Sahel through Nile and Oxus to India and Indonesia;and his comprehensive consideration of political, social, religious,cultural, and economic aspects of civilization make for a series as broadand deep as this student of history could want.It took me several yearsto read the whole set, as only recently did I have enough interest in theartistic and philisophic (falsafah) traditions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Middle East - General    5. World - General    6. History / World    7. Islam   

Reviews (31)

the crimes of all Muslims remembered
What is the history of non-Muslims under Muslim rulers? Where most Muslim historians stress the cases of tolerance and protection for non-Muslims, Bat Ye'or presents a different story. With patient scholarship she compiles a massive record of abuse, extortion, plunder and segregation of non-Muslim, or "dhimmi" communities. This, she seems to prove, is the real face of Islam toward other faiths -- in the past and in the present.
Great book, clumsy translation
The author's learning, decency, and humanity are obvious, and the story she tells is fascinating (and horrible). (One also should mention her courage.)
an utterly stupid and worthless book
[...]
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Subjects:  1. Arab countries    2. Dhimmis    3. Ethnic relations    4. History    5. History: World    6. Islam - General    7. Islamic Empire    8. Islamic History    9. Medieval    10. Medieval World History (Circa 450 - Circa 1450)    11. Religion    12. Religion - World Religions    13. ASIA    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history    15. Christianity    16. Interfaith relations    17. Islam   

Reviews (6)

FANTASTIC-a must for anyone studying Shia Islam
Dr. Momen provides a comprehensive and objective overview of Shia history and beliefs.It doesnt matter if you are new to learning of Islam, or an advanced scholar, you can get a wealth of information from this book.
A tough read
I recently bought this book after reading the excellent reviews about it, but unfortunately, I couldn't go beyond the first two chapters. It starts off nicely but loses the focus soon and becomes extremly boring.

Best Concise History & Beliefs of Shi'e
This is a book that I recommend to everyone who is interested in understanding the history of Shi'e split from Sunni faction(s) in Islam. The book, however, goes much beyond that, and provides insight to developments of Islam at Mohammed's time, and immediately after his death, as well as a detailed follow on to present day. It is written with a style that keeps the reader glued to the book, unlike most books in similar subjects.Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - Shi'ism    2. Religion    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Shiah    5. Islam    6. Religion / Islam / Shi'ism   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Civilization, Islamic    3. Encyclopedias    4. Interior Design - General    5. Islam    6. Islamic History    7. Islamic Studies    8. Islamic countries    9. Reference    10. First World War, 1914-1918    11. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    12. Reference works    13. c 1900 - c 1914   

Reviews (51)

Muslims and America.
"Silent No More" depicts the reactions of Muslims in America, a natural reponse to the actions and prejudices of American administration in the form of Patriot Act. American concept of Islam is based on the reactionary activities of Muslims' behavior and consequently the false image presented by the news media. American people know Muslims as presented in the media and not by the historical truth of Islam in the religious literature. When we talk of Islam, we actually talk of Muslim behavior. And the Muslim behavior must be studied in the same manner as we study the behavior of other freedom fighters, known by their states and governments as terrorist. The book, in my opinion, is a helpful roadmap for American Muslims to get a significant place in the political and social life of America.

after congress, lobbyist
he should become a leftwing dem.id like to show up at his door to sell him something.what a gull.hes now prolly the leading special interest flak for islam.i consider him an enemy of america.why hasnt he come out w. a post 911 book.i call him paul fiddley.hes quite a fiddler.as gullible as lincoln steffens visiting the soviet union.a mental lightweight w. only a ba degree.presbyterian background.they think they are the chosen ones & can run circles around jews.makes no mention of slavery in the current lands of islam

Inferior Publication
Another Islamic Puppet, a typical American ignorant, manipulated by Islamists and Muslims, who used by Muslims and criminals alike, forwards the Islamic heinous agenda against all infidels, in order to take over the western civilization, its culture and obviouslyfinancial assets.
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Subjects:  1. Apologetic works    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Islam    4. Islam - General    5. Islam - Theology    6. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    7. Public opinion    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. United States   

Subjects:  1. 1914-    2. Consciousness    3. Eastern - General    4. Interior Design - General    5. Islamic Philosophy    6. Islamic Studies    7. Izutsu, Toshihiko,    8. Mind & Body    9. Philosophy    10. Philosophy, Islamic    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. Sufism   

Reviews (136)

Clarity without the pretzel-ed reasoning of apologists
After reading the reviews below I am prone to wonder how many of the frothy critics of this book actually read it.Even from the far left (the ever stalwart supporters of all those who hate America) I hear the droning mantra bewailing the supposed characterization of Islam by the extreme acts of an anomalous few.But Spencer does not make such a characterization.Most of this book does not examine the actions of extremists but instead the tenets of Islam itself.His conclusions are well reasoned and documented; and horrifying!If you have ever wondered why the millions of "peace-loving" Muslims have not condemned en mass the Jihadists who spew hatred and spill the blood of innocent people all over the world, then get this book and find out.Spencer concludes that violence is a natural outgrowth of the intolerance taught by Islam.Of course, many of us were taught the myth of Muslim tolerance, yet the Quran famously commands any faithful Muslim to "Slay the Unbelievers wherever ye find them. Seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them? (Quran 9:5)It is a verse that is not lifted out of context or a rare anomaly or mitigated by the larger body of teaching (as the nonviolent verses of the New Testament clearly abrogate the descriptions of violence contained in the Old Testament) but, is in fact, only one of many such incitements to violence.Spencer believes that such violent leanings are endemic to Islam and that they explain the complicity of silence we see from the Muslim world when innocents are murdered by Jihadists.