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An up-close and up-to-date look at an often misunderstood faith.
This completely revised and updated guide explores the tenets of the Qu'ran (a.k.a. Koran), examines the history of the religion and its relationship to Christianity and Judaism, and features an expanded section on the true story behind “jihad.” It explores Islamic views on war and terrorism, including the Muslim perspective on the tragic events of September 11, and the subsequent U.S. presence in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Excellent sales for the first edition
• Islam is the fastest growing religion in America, with more than six million devoted followers
• Features an expanded section on women in Islam, including their status within the Taliban, and the Islamic practice of polygamy
Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2007
I checked this book out from my local library, hoping to gain insight into the Muslim faith. This text does not explain the religion but continually makes excuses for the behavior of Muslims by stating any problematic conduct is due to the influence of politics and/or geography. The author writes that violence and terrorism, which is a concern of all peaceloving people, is not based on Islamic religious teachings or practices. He would have us to believe that these practices just happen to occur where Muslims live! It is a tragic commentary for the publisher if this author is the best resource available to explain the teachings and practices of the followers of Islam. Rather than explaining Islamic faith, the author's writings focus on excusing and justifing acts of terror and violence by placing the blame on everyone other than the perpetrators. His work is indeed written for idiots ¿ those who are unable to make intelligent decisions based on historical fact and adequate research.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 25, 2006
The author fails to address that Islam like Christianity is both an ideal and the reality that is practiced in its name. The author complains of mistreatement in the US but never acknowledges the killing of hostages, burning of churchs and killing of nuns and priest that happen repeatly and are condoned by Muslim clerics. I purchased the book to learn more about Islam not to be preached a political bias that the author clearly has against the West. This book has as much credibility as Fox News is fair and balanced.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 16, 2006
This is a greatly informative book that offers a simple overview of the basics of faith, beliefs and practice. Islam as a faith is kept completely seperate from the polital and cultural sterotypes of radical Islam.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Nana_V
Posted May 22, 2011
Though not an idiot, I read this introduction to Islam shortly after 9/11 and found it informative, and even attractive. I come to this book repeteadly as a first-hand reference tool about the tenets of Islam and recommend its reading as a primer to anyone interested in finding out more about Islam from a Muslim-American convert's perspective.
Now, despite the good intentions of the author, the book reaffirmed in my mind that Islamic morality is inferior, that the Ummah's or ulema's claims for Islam as a simple religion is disingenous or even misleading, and they - and the author - seem either unaware or uninterested of the wide body of Christian critical appraisals of Islam in existence.
But, it's not the author's fault that the book didn't have a proselitistic effect upon me nor am I accusing the author of having proselytistic intentions in the book, at least not primarily. The author is not to be blamed for my free conscience exercising a choice for Christ and against Muhammad.
The greatest praise I can give to Imam Yahiya Emmerich is that, if I didn't know who Jesus really is, and had grown in a home with little or no Christianity, before 9/11 I would've found his presentation intriguing and perhaps, persuasive.
All these things considered, this book is a worth reading.
CSalah
Posted May 10, 2011
Okay, even if you are not a complete idiot, this book is a must read. The author manages to present the faith of Islam as well as tackle the more sensitive questions in a thoughtful and factual manner. We need more like this!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 18, 2004
I grew up in a very sheltered family and knew nothing about Islam.My Evangelical background tended to make me fear Islam and think of it as a religion vastly different from Christianity.Now I have a healthy and positive view of Islam due to the book. I have read some other books about Islam but I had to grow in knowledge slowly because of my background.It's a good book for those with negative sterotypes as I have had.
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Posted January 29, 2004
Extremely well written book which puts the reader at ease in understanding an often misunderstood religion in the West. Every American should read this book to overcome our preconceived notions and gain a sound understanding for one of the 3 monotheistic religions revealed by God.
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Posted March 31, 2003
A very good and concise book that covers a lot with boring the reader to death. Out of many writing styled that used by the author is most focused to presenting information in a manner understandable by the common person yet in depth enough for those who want to do further studies into the subject. I highly personally have gained a great insight into Islam and Muslim after reading this book. I highly recommend it.
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Posted April 3, 2003
Not only the most readable book on Islam, but one of the most informative book on Islam. I found it to be educational and entertaining. worth the money.
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Posted March 19, 2003
This is wonderful book! I was very happy with the easy reading and accuracy of this book.
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Posted January 11, 2003
I was pleasantly surprised about the great deal of information that the book (which was very readable) had concerning the faith of Islam and what Muslims believe in. The book is basically an overall review of the Islam and tells you a little bit about each part of their religion (beliefs, history, prayer, woman, Prophets, interfaith relations, ect¿¿¿.). I would recommend this book to those who want to gain some knowledge about the basic beliefs of Muslims and for those who are just curious about Islam.
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Posted January 17, 2003
Defiantly a great introductory book on Islam. I found it to be very concise and clear, as well as to the point. If you want a clear look at Islam without reading huge wordy books, then this is your best bet.
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Posted November 25, 2002
Great book for getting the facts. Not too detailed,great for those who want to learn.
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Posted October 11, 2002
I found this book to be an excellent, clear and well-balanced report on Islam. For those who want to get a clear and easy look into understand Islam, then buy this book as soon as you can. I would suggest that this be the first book and you can follow it up with others like approaching the Quran.
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Posted August 25, 2002
This is an excellent book, the best thing for those who just want a non-biased simple over look of Islam.
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Posted September 14, 2002
This was a wonderful well-balanced book written by authors who come from various backgrounds. It is very easy to read and gives an open-minded view of Islam that is easy to understand. I would suggest everyone interested in the subject pick up this book.
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Posted September 13, 2002
Loved it! Very clear and easy to read.
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Posted September 9, 2002
I've read and used other COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDES in the past and have found them extremely helpful and informative. I've even recommended the one on caring for aging parents on an Internet web site. So, my expectations when I picked up THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING ISLAM were high. I thought I'd be reading a well-balanced book about Islam. But what I found was a pathetic, apologist's fluff piece between two paperback covers. For instance, in a section about worshipping idols, the writer says that the Taliban's destruction of 2000-year-old Buddhist statues was understandable because there hadn't been any Buddhists living in Afghanistan in a thousand years. This, despite worldwide concern and pleadings to the Taliban to preserve these historical icons. The sections on women will leave most enlightened people stunned. The author explains away the half-as-much-as-men-inheritance rules in a cavalier manner, saying that men must take care of the women. But in another part about divorce, he says that while it is relatively easy for men to obtain a divorce simply by reciting "talaq" three times and sleeping on the couch until such time as they're sure she isn't pregnant, women must go through the legal system and they stand to lose everything they have, including their children who are over 7 years of age. The author explains away polygamy (really polygyny because only men are allowed to indulge in this practice of multiple marriages) by saying that at least the poor woman has a part-time husband instead of none at all! And, of course, he must treat each of the four wives equally. So, if he's a rich man they will all live in opulance. But if he's poor, they will all live in hovels. He even glosses over the divisions within the Islamic religion. It is by no means united. There are the Sunnis and the Shiites (not to mention the Sufis, in which you don't even have to be a Muslim to participate), but he fails to mention the Wahabbis. They are, of course, the division that is the most conservative, belive in jihad (in the truest sense of making war on the enemies of Islam) and the sect to which terrorist Osama bin Laden and his followers belong. To ignore inclusion of the Wahabbis is to ignore that it is the sect followed by most of the people living in Saudi Arabia---hardly a small number of Muslims, to be sure. I hope the uninformed reader won't expect THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING ISLAM to be a well-balanced, educational book. It isn't. I would not recommend it to anyone!
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Posted November 17, 2001
this book is a good introduction to the religion of islam as understood by muslims (not media and agenda minded scholars). it covers the basics as well as correct common misconceptions of islam and muslims.
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Posted November 16, 2001
hey this is a really good book. If you want to know about Islam then this is the book for you. i read a lot of books on Islam and this is clearly the best. It shows what Islam and muslims are truly all about.
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Overview
An up-close and up-to-date look at an often misunderstood faith.
This completely revised and updated guide explores the tenets of the Qu'ran (a.k.a. Koran), examines the history of the religion and its relationship to Christianity and Judaism, and features an expanded section on the true story behind “jihad.” It explores Islamic views on war and terrorism, including the Muslim perspective on the tragic events of September 11, and the subsequent...