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Though it is the fastest-growing religion in the world, Islam remains shrouded in ignorance and fear for much of the West. In No god but God, Reza Aslan, an internationally acclaimed scholar of religions, explains this faith in all its beauty and complexity. Beginning with a vivid account of the social and religious milieu in which the Prophet Muhammad forged his message, Aslan paints a portrait of the first Muslim community as a radical experiment in religious pluralism and social egalitarianism. He demonstrates how, after the Prophet’s death, his successors attempted to interpret his message for future generations–an overwhelming task that fractured the Muslim community into competing sects. Finally, Aslan examines how, in the shadow of European colonialism, Muslims developed conflicting strategies to reconcile traditional Islamic values with the realities of the modern world, thus launching what Aslan terms the Islamic Reformation. Timely and persuasive, No god but God is an elegantly written account of a magnificent yet misunderstood faith.
An accessable, balanced, insightful look
| Customer Rating:  | This diligently researched and superbly written book acts as an easy to digest key, actively bent on unlocking the history of Islam. Aslan, an Iranian-born author, brings a viewpoint often missing from Western understandings of the Islamic religion. Aslan tackles often thorny and complex historical occurrences and theological viewpoints, translating them into an understandable and synthesized whole. Not completely scholarly, Aslan also injects personal experiences at key moments to bring an often distant religion into the realm of the personal.
A great part of this book carefully lays out the critical first centuries of the Islamic faith, following the divergent paths the first practitioners followed, practitioners who were effected by social, historical, and theological forces sometimes outside their control.
For all it's learning, Aslan does an excellent job of boiling down the whole book to a few key points, one of which is that the Other is not as different at closer examination than the self; I was most impressed while reading at the many similar paths Islam took in it's evolution of faith compared to Christianity. Being a very accessible work, I highly recommend this book. |
An intricately woven masterpiece
| Customer Rating: | Just as a great poet assembles their poem, Aslan has done the same, producing nothing short of a masterpiece. Thoroughly analytical, wonderfully written and well presented, this is one for an audience of the learned community of the complex intellectual world of the 20th century.
Not an apologetic, clearly objective, this book entertains people of Muslim faith and every other faith, especially the learned of the Judeo-Christian community and anyone else interested in learning about the origins, evolution and future of Islam.
I noticed some of the reviews indicate that this book doesn't entirely present what Muslims believe in. It is true in a sense and it could use a bit more of what Muslims would like to see presented to the world, as there are many beautiful aspects of the faith and tradition that would impress any reader, but given the audience it covers, it does the job, marvelously.
As a Muslim brought up in the west, I personally embarked on studying the origins and evolution of what is the complex representation of Islam we see today. I studied Sufism, Shism, and Sunni Islam in as much detail and objectivity as I could, and most the material in Aslan's book agrees what my personal findings.
This is my personal observation and I can't speak for any of the Muslim readers, but this probably goes for many; Aslan has re-presented Islam in the most common everyday English language of today, the language that most of us grew up using and brought everything into context, and for that, I am full of gratitude.
I look forward to anything Aslan writes, I've checked his website, read most of his articles and listened to all the podcasts and the public presences on youtube. A very gifted intellectual, he is indeed.
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Eye opening but half the story
| Customer Rating:  | Aslan meticulously develops the story of the birth of Muhammad and Islam in the 7th century, then the tempo speeds as he closes in our modern times. He romanticizes and brings a certain elegance while defending this convoluted religion. The dates are very much in debate, even so, he begins with the pre-Islam years of paganism (of course we were all lost before Islam), the many religions of the day and the off-shoots. Then Aslan traces back to Muhammad's childhood before progressing into his adulthood. (Muhammad is hardly the great prophet and man of God made out to be.) Then it is on to his successors and the development of the Sunni, Shia, and other factions. He uses many references to the Quran, but obviously uses fiction to fill the holes in telling the story. Although, in some areas of this study it has opened my eyes positively to who Muhammad was. There is an extensive bibliography and your knowledge of Arabic will surely be improved.
After doing some investigating on Aslan, I find who he associates with to be biased and the liberal media (none from the other side) reflects an apologetic attitude in their writings toward him. This book is targeted towards the West in hopes for appeasement. His beliefs are subtle in the book, but with these two references I have concluded that he is of the liberalized Shia sect, where he believes in a theological pluralism (many religions lead to God), the Quaran is divinely inspired by the one God, and Muhammad is a true prophet. Aslan is an apologist who does not state any of the conflicts or contradictions with the New and Old Testemant----who needs Christ then. Though he does admit the Quran has evolved to take its present shape and interpretations are tearing the Muslim community apart; a reformation, if you will, is needed for them too someday.
For this is really the heart of the matter, it is "not so much a cultural conflict as a religious one; that we are not in the midst of a 'class of civilization', but rather a 'class of monotheisms.'" In-fighting between Muslims is just as much a part or more of the terrorism we see. It was the extremists and the radicals who twisted the Koran, Muhammadins were not the radicals. That may be so, but why then is it so easily corrupted then? Aslan also names scholars who have misrepresented Muhammad's history, but again he forgets the ones who understand the errors.
Did we supply biological weapons to Iraq? Yes, in part, not directly, but only dual use chemicals that had only the potential. Other nations were also involved. Aslan only gives us part of the facts. Still, I don't deny it wasn't a mistake. Constructing an Islamic Democracy (or any kind) will be difficult; we need to concentrate on freedom first.
Islam is a religion of works and says there are many ways to God. They accept Christ but deny who He "really" was. The problem with excepting Jesus as just many in a line of great prophets is to force the Muslim to believe in a liar.
Wish you well and blessings
Scott
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Wonderful Historical Perspective
| Customer Rating: | | Aslan's book provides a wonderful historical narrative of the origins of Islam and how history has shaped it into the religion it is today. His insight into major events over the centuries and how they relate to our current climate is quite elegant. He moves from past to present quite fluently. I recommend this book to anyone with a love of history who seeks a greater understanding of Islam than is provide in the evening news. |
STILL have not received this book
| Customer Rating: | | This book was never delivered and e-mails to the seller elicited no response. DO NOT do business with this seller. |
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