Reviewing Two Books in Religion - Book Report/Review Example

?Book Review Introduction The increasing frequencies of illegal activities, religion policy, economic turmoil and social developments in recent yearshave never been restrained from influencing the relations between Western, European and Islamic societies. It has been witnessed that many large media firms in the Western region portray a rough picture of the religion having minimum knowledge regarding the true Islamic principles and thus affecting the emotions of Muslims worldwide. Moved by such biased description of the religious principles of Islam, resulting in the continuous misunderstanding and falling respect of the religious within the global community, Carl W. Ernst and Mona Siddiqui wrote two books individually, titled Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World and How to Read the Qur’an, respectively. Thesis Statement This thesis aims to review the two books, one written by Carl W. Ernst with the title Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World and the other written by Mona Siddiqui and titled How to Read the Qur’an. Summarizing the thoughts or the subject matter of both books, this thesis intends to produce a brief account of the interesting and stirring points discussed in these writings along with addressing the effectiveness of the literature to bind the attention of their readers throughout. Justifiability of theses points highlighted in each of these writings will also be considered as a discussion point in this thesis. Notably, the thesis is expected to develop a comparative analysis of the referred books, concentrating on three major themes to obtain a critical view of the thoughts presented through these writings. Summary of Both Books In the book Following Mohammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World, the author shows a deliberate concern and enthusiastic intention to give an account of how people belonging to Islam are treated today in countries such as United States and others by non-Muslims. Ernst has also tried to convey to the audience that illegal activities conducted by some people from any religion do not justify that all the people associated with the religion share the common negative motive to back their violent acts. Additionally, Ernst has also provided arguments in the content showing the different aspects and how books such as the Qur’an have been adapted by people living around the globe, as a vital source of knowledge. As narrated and based on firm research results, it is thus propagated by Ernst that in actual terms, the number of people following Islamic principles to maintain peace and sobriety in their lifestyles is much more than is portrayed in the Western media (Ernst ii-xiii). The other book titled How to Read the Qur’an by Mona Siddiqui also provides a descriptive account of the Qur’an, its principles and values, narrating against the painstaking presentation made by the Western world and highlighting the darker side of the religion. The author of this literary piece contextually states the importance of the holy book to the Muslims and how the Qur’an has helped in the formation of mankind in the world. The book also explains the big themes of different laws, sins and salvations and how the adaption of the book can help in the formation of a better society in the future (Siddiqui 1–10). With reference to the two books it can be stated that the authors of both books have tried to explain people that the Islamic religion is not about motivating or backing illegal activities but contributing towards a better society. Both books also attempt to dig out the rudimental reasons that play a major role in giving rise to such a varying perception amid the Western world regarding Muslims and their Islamic principles. View on the Books and Why the Authors Have Written the Books As has been noted above, the subject matter of these two books titled Following Mohammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World and How to Read the Qur’an portrays the current challenges that the Islamic people are facing when aiming to attain a respected and dignified treatment in the global community, resulting from illegal activities conducted by different terrorist groups present around the world. The literary pieces not only describe the different challenges that the people belonging to the Islamic religion are facing, but also provide a complete view of the past that proves the religion as an ancient principle. Furthermore, both books can be observed to draw upon unambiguous inferences to assess the true cause of Islam being portrayed in a villainy character by the Western culture, which mostly comprises the Christian community. In this context, it can be viewed that modern ethical approaches to pluralism and diversity have considerably changed the traditional ways in which Islamic scriptures have been pictured over the passing time. Unfortunately, the representation of Islam in the global world by the Western media has been negative, which has stirred and altered the positive views of a major proportion of non-Muslims regarding the religion. It has been viewed that today people believe Islam to be a religion that does not have any rigid ethical structure resulting in conducting illegal activities. It is of no doubt that major terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Lashkar-e-Taiba and many others belong to Muslim countries and are run by Islamic followers. However, a question that arises in this regard against the arguments describing Islam as dark and in favor of the arguments presented by the authors in these books is: Are there any terrorist groups operated by Christians, Hindus, or any other religious groups. Also, when considering the humanitarian and modern philosophical grounds, no linkage between terrorist activities and religious faith or principles can be lawfully drawn to somewhat outcast a particular religious group, describing it as dark. Interesting Things about the Books’ Subject The word “Islam” is considered to be one of the common words amidst different religious critics. Different illegal activities conducted by people framing themselves to be Muslims have forced the non-Muslims to change their perceptions regarding the Muslims. The most interesting thing about the book Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World by Carl W. Ernst was its simple but equally poignant description to readers with the philosophical resources of Islam, which, though descriptive and variant in nature, dictates a strong clear argument in favor of the religion. Also, the tactful narration by the author, avoiding political comments and scholarly orientation, is undoubtedly credible. The author also cites how erroneous definition relating to the Islamic religion has contributed to changing people’s view in the European and American regions during the contemporary era. The book further uncovers various religious views of Islam, in both traditional and modern settings, in its own worldly and firm manner for developing a clear understanding among the common public much unaware of the religion regarding the radical measures such as fundamentalism. The addition of critical debates on vital issues such as the role of gender in promoting the Islamic religion, state politics and connection of scientific theories with religious beliefs, has also made the book more interesting (Ernst 11–139). Again, when considering the book How To Read A Qur’an by Mona Siddiqui, dissimilarities can be found from the former writing as it restrains from teaching today’s generation how to read the holy book in a simplified way, as mostly likely to be expected from its formal name. Unconventionally, the piece of literature aims to connect the sayings of the Holy Qur’an with the modern religious practices to quash the negative description advocated by the Western culture about Islam. The writing also reveals the thought that the Qur’an is considered to be a historical context: the holy book not only contains verses of the Allah but also provides guidelines on how applied values in the real life scenario can make life more prosperous and disciplined. The most interesting part in the book was found to be the way it ends, where the author narrates about the Qur’an and Mohammed in today’s context. As argued by Siddiqui, if the sayings in the Holy Quran are considered to be direct sayings by the Allah, why should it be considered as applicable only in the 7th century context and be restrained from being followed in the modern society, as a vital principle in an individual’s life? (Siddiqui 67–99) Authors’ Way of Writing In his book Ernst tries to portray an image of the current situation that the Muslims are facing around the globe. The author has not only presented a picture that prevails in the eyes of most common people in the Western part of the globe, but has also compared different approaches that have helped in the formation of Islam. The author has also compared the modern concept of religion with historical studies based on Islam, which offers a better understanding of the different religious values to amateurs having limited knowledge on the doctrine. Additionally, the author has also highlighted important aspects that depict the challenges commonly faced by today’s Muslim women in the European and American regions of the globe. The author has also mentioned how Muslim culture has a full range of scientific disciplines that have been adapted from the Indians, Greeks and Persians who were considered to be experts in astronomical observations and theories, thus yielding a rich heritage of the context to bind the interests of the readers throughout. In comparison, Siddiqui in her book aims at giving an explanation of the Qur’an in compliance and non-compliance with the modern philosophies and beliefs that exist within both Muslim and non-Muslim people. The book not only explains vital elements present in the Quran but also provides well written sentences that justify the main motive of the Islamic religion, quite similar to the subject matter covered in the writing by Ernst. The most interesting part about the book able to hold the readers’ interest throughout is the way the different aspects relating to the Islamic religion have been linked with modern and historical studies of the Qur’an. The author has also tried to explain that the verses in the Qur’an are not only guidelines that need to be followed in the modern society, but can also be observed in the ancient times to maintain a coordinated society (Siddiqui 17–88). Agreeing or Disagreeing with the Thesis Point The two books can be considered to be two masterpieces in today’s Islamic religious literature. With reference to the above discussion and the two books, it can be stated that both writings mainly focus on the challenges that the Muslims have been facing, resulting from the illustrations of Islamic terrorist groups wherein their operations and values have been portrayed as strongly motivated by the Islamic principles. The two books not only provide the current issues but also highlight their contribution in the past that facilitated to preserve a better living environment. The authors have also mentioned the way modern technology and media of the Western countries have adversely contributed to establishing a negative image of Islam amongst the common people comprising mostly non-Muslims and the public who are least aware of the religious values mentioned in the Qur’an. Notably, when considering the recent happenings, the arguments in both books can be justified and hence agreed thereupon. Three Common Themes in Both Books The Difference between Christianity and Islam The first and most important theme that has been mentioned in both books is the difference persisting between the two religions, i.e., Christianity and Islam. From ancient times, it has been viewed that there exist numerous debates about Islam being originated from Christianity. For instance, in the book How to Read the Qur’an, Siddiqui argues that there exists only one creator who has sent his revelations to humanity as a sign of his existence, which shows a direct connection between Islam and other religions such as Judaism and Christianity. The authors of the two books have further stated that though the main reason behind the formation of all the religions is a way of the Almighty to provide guidelines to the people, the principles of all the religions are completely different. In justification, both authors emphasize the fact that in the Islamic religion, Allah promises redemption to only those people who turn to him, while in Christianity it is viewed that God has sacrificed his son to save the whole mankind, which proves that there exist vast differences between Christianity and Islam (Ernst 40–101; Siddiqui 25–33). Change of Principles The second theme that has been witnessed in both books is the change observed in the interpretation of principles made by people concerning the religious views since the traditional times to the modern age. It is evident that both writers have tried to explain the readers that over time, there have been vast changes in the style and interpretation of meanings propounded in the Qur’an, which has painstakingly changed the true meaning of the religion in the view of the common public. The writers have also highlighted certain parts such as the image of great Muhammad in the modern context in reference to the technology and media in the Western countries, which has contributed negatively to creating a negative image of the Islamic religion and its principles in the modern world (Ernst 1–78; Siddiqui 5–58). Challenges Faced by the Muslims around the World The most important theme that has been followed throughout the books is the current challenges that are being faced by the Muslim people around the world. The growing illegal activities worldwide by people portraying themselves as rigidly Islamic have provided opportunities for other to target the Islamic principles as the root cause of conducting such crimes. The writers have undoubtedly, in a very poignant manner, executed the writing in relation to the post-9/11 changes resulting in targeting the Muslims residing in the Western countries (Ernst 45–178; Siddiqui 13–68). Conclusion The increasing crime rate amid certain groups of people worshiping the Islamic region has undoubtedly provided opportunities to the non-Muslims to criticize the religion and its holy book, i.e., the Qur’an, without knowing the true meaning of its verses or its inherent values of mercy. Today’s generation is considered to be fast moving where media plays an active part in influencing people’s view concerning a particular aspect. Emphasizing a similar thesis point, both books mainly provide a broader view of how different factors such as media and others have resulted in creating a negative image of Islam. The books further provide data that justify the Qur’an as more than a religious book—as a scientific and spiritual elaboration of human responsibilities and duties towards the entire humankind and ultimate power. Works Cited Ernst, Carl W. Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World. United States: University of North Carolina, 2003. Print. Siddiqui, Mona. How to Read the Qur'an. New York City: W. W. Norton & Company, 2009. Print. Read More