Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World - Book Report/Review Example

27 September Introduction This book review highlights and compares two books: How to Read The Quran and Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World. The former is written by Mona Siddiqui and the latter is written by Carl W. Ernst. Each book has separate thesis points and they have been addressed individually by taking into account the related objectives. In this book review study, both books have been collectively reviewed by taking into account the major themes and points of books. Subsequently, personal reflections and interesting points have also been provided. General Subjects of Books Mona Siddiqui’s book elaborates the Holy Quran and its interpretation. This book is mainly consisted of three broad chapters and each has its own theme explaining it by taking into account the Quran teachings and understanding of the previous learned persons on the topic. For example, her book is consisted of ten chapters: the Book as Guidance, Reading as Revelation, God’s Oneness, Prophecy as Mercy, Man’s Creation and Vocation, Faith as Ritual, Modesty and Modernity, Jews and Christians- Believers or Deniers?, Law and Authority and Embracing Critical Scholarship. In the first chapter, author is trying to convey the message that the Holy Quran has been identified as a source of guidance for Muslims and non-Muslims as well. For supporting this claim, she has quoted some verses from the Holy Quran and simultaneously she has provided her personal reflection and support from the renowned scholars on the topic. At the same time, in this chapter , the author is asserting that the religion of Islam has not only spread through the pure contribution of this book (the Quran) but has also evolved through the Islamic culture and traditions in the different parts of the world including in the Western world as well. At the same time, she is also trying to quote the previous Islam history pertaining to the topic in which she highlights previous examples and situations for supporting the main theme of this topic. In contrast, Crawl’s book has different themes. For example, the author has been attracted to this topic due to the global attack on the religion of Islam particularly after the events of 9/11 in which the “certain sections” held Islamic ideology responsible for these attacks. And in order to search for the truth, Crawl has written this book after going investigating the true theme behind this world’s fastest growing religion of the world even after these attacks. For highlighting the current situation, Crawl attempts to highlight the religion of Islam from the perspective of 9/11 attacks. In my opinion, Mona Siddiqui’s book interprets the Holy Quran. In this interpretation process, she is trying to simplify the teachings, orders, precautions, and other sayings given in the Holy Quran. In this regard, it is important to mention that the Holy Quran is not a simple or ordinary book that can be easily understood by anyone including Muslim as well. It is a word of Allah (name given to God in the religion of Islam), and all written is provided by Allah to the last prophet of Islam (i.e. Muhammad Peace be Upon Him). As this holy book has been written in Arabic language and even its translation will not be easy for understanding the crux of saying. She is trying to bridge this gap by providing clear cut and understandable interpretation of the Holy Quran; simultaneously she is trying to include those topics, issues which are of contemporary nature and they directly or indirectly affect the religion of Islam and its perception in the Western countries. In addition, it has also been observed that Muslims have little understanding about the fundamentals of their religion and this limited awareness and understanding is causing numerous problems in their daily lives. Consequently, she has tried to reduce this level of insufficient awareness through highlighting and interpreting the important issues relating to the religion of Islam. For example, she has tried to reduce the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims (Jews and Christians) as many Muslims have misconceptions about the followers of Christianity and Judaism and consider that the followers of these religions do not accept the presence and existence of God. In order to reduce the impact of this misconception, she has tried to explain that the followers of these religions also accept the presence of God (Allah). At the same time, she is trying to woven the inter-faith dialogue and harmony as well. In the recent times, the growing mistrust between the followers of these religions has widened the divide between Muslims and Christians and between Muslims and Jews as well. For instance, it has been mentioned that Jews and Christians received the same message about oneness of God before it was given to the Muslims (Siddiqui 78). This quotation proves that followers of these religions have one common God (Allah) and consequently this can enable them to reduce their gaps and improves their relationships. In order to explain the book’s main theme, Crawl has separated the book into five major sub-themes: Islam in the Eyes of the West, Approaching Islam in Terms of Religion, The Sacred Sources of Islam, Ethics and Life in the World and Spirituality in Practice. Each part is further divided into sub-part highlighting and providing supporting details to the main part. The author has tried to explain the religion of Islam by taking into account perceptions, and opinions of non-Muslims and have tried to analyze their perspective by taking into account views and information provided by Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). In addition, the author has explained the basic issues today Muslims face particularly in the Western countries where many non-Muslims consider them with a particular bias in their mind. In this regard, the author is attempting to highlight the validity of that bias and the factuality of that bias regarding Muslims and their practices relating to the religion of Islam. In addition, this book also compares the differences between the followers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Interestingly, the book author does not restrict to one aspect of Christianity but also evaluates sects found within the ambit of Christianity. For this purpose, the author takes into account the historical perspective in which confrontation, understanding and other issues that took place in European and Arabian soils have also been highlighted; through this exposition, the author has attempted to explain the level of mistrust, negativity and bias among the followers of these religions. In other words, the author has provided a more critical analysis and evaluation of interplay between the followers of these religions. It is difficult to agree with the certain explanations and interpretations provided by Ernst in his book. For example, the author has not specifically highlighted and mentioned exact quotation and words of other authors and writers within the religion of Islam and others. Due to this gap, it can be argued that the author has used their words and has given his meaning for selling his own ideas. In a standardized practice, it is highly encouraged that while writing a book or quoting someone’s ideas, it is highly essential that appropriate references should be provided so that the original imported thought must not lose its original meaning and should adjust itself within the theme. However, Ernst has not used this concept but has been purposive by implanting words in a way to give them his favored meaning. As a result, the imported quotation loses its original position and purpose and makes it hard for the reader to understand the individual meaning of quoted words and their collective meaning as well. How to Read the Quran: Book Summary Mona Siddiqui’s book is mainly themed on religious interpretation of religious issues. In the interpretation, she has tried to unwoven the essential Islamic fundamentals. While elaborating these issues, she has attempted to link these Islamic issues with today’s contemporary issues taking place in today’s world. For example, she has elaborated the concept of oneness of god. Through this elaboration, she expounds the concept and has tried to explain it for individual Muslims. In this regard, it is important to mention that the oneness of god cannot be disputed issue between Muslims but its usefulness and critical significance for Islamic ideological framework is highly essential for a Muslim. In other words, she has explained those issues which are of higher significance for an individual Muslim. At the same time, she has also tried to highlight those issues which are of collective significance for the followers of Islam. For instance, she has elaborated Faith as Ritual in the sixth chapter in which she has attempted to highlight both individual and collective aspects of Muslims’ social life and their customs as well. For substantiating her stance, she has quoted verses from the holy Quran and she has further used the sayings of scripture writers and authors. In other words, the entire book takes into account both individual and collective aspect of Muslims’ beliefs, customs, traditions and rituals as well. Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World: Book Summary Ernst has critically analyzed the religion of Islam. The author has elaborated the basic fundamentals in the religion of Islam. the author has not only explained the religious dimension of Islam but has also elaborated on the spiritual aspect as well in which he tries to highlight the issues such as diversity and religious debate about Islamic traditions and customs in the evolution and subsequent history of Islam. In this regard, the author exposes the attempts of non-Muslims, especially Protestant Christians, for defaming the religion of Islam by propagating the negative and incorrect version of this religion particularly in the Western countries particularly after the events of 9/11 and in the history as well. Additionally, the author tries to uncover the contemporary issues, such as extremism and its roots from the perspective of this religion by debating and arguing the basis behind these themes found in the religion of Islam. Similarly, the author has critically questioned about the contemporary issues, such as veiling, gender rights and state politics, which have become a town of talk in many Muslim and Arab countries as well. Comparison and Contrast Mona Siddiqui has specifically focused on the teachings given in the Holy Quran. The base of her book is the Holy Quran and information given in that book. On the other hand, Ernst’s book has particularly highlighted the last Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) in which he has used His sayings, actions and understanding for highlighting and evaluating the contemporary issues faced by the western cultures and Muslims as well. In other words, the work of Siddiqui is more elaborative as it interprets the teachings mentioned in the Holy Quran whereas Ernst’s work is critical and analytical as well. In his critical approach, Ernst has tried to assess the religious logic behind today’s contemporary issues faced by both Muslims and non-Muslims as well. In addition, there exists some difference in their religious identities as well. For example, Mona Siddiqui is British Muslim whereas Ernst has non-Muslim religious identity. In other words, Mona Siddiqui has Muslim background and upbringing as well. Due to her nourishment in the Muslim family, she has better understanding and practical experience about the significance of sayings and teaching mentioned in the Holy Quran. On the other hand, Ernst has obtained degree in Islamic studies besides visiting many states, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and India as well. And it is his interest in the religion of Islam that has attracted him to understand this religion and highlight those factors that cause controversy in today’s contemporary issues. Comparison Both books have some similarities as well. For example, both authors have common issues in the religion of Islam. In other words, they have specifically focused on any other religion but they have tried to use the sayings of the Last Prophet of Islam (i.e. Muhammad Peace be Upon Him) and the Holy Quran, which is a sacred holy book revealed to the last prophet of Islam. And, both authors have used the quotations from the Holy Quran for substantiating their respective stances on certain religious and contemporary issues as well. In addition to that, both authors have also included the sayings of the last Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) for explaining Islamic issues and customs and traditions as well. At the same time, both authors have pointed out certain issues faced by today’s Muslims. For example, Mona Siddiqui explains the perspective of Muslims about Christians and Jews by quoting incidents mentioned in the Holy Quran; simultaneously, Ernst points out Protestants and their bias against Muslims and their beliefs as well. In other words, both authors try to highlight the historical and contemporary issues between Christians and Muslims and Jews as well. Conclusion Both books separately address the contemporary and Islamic issues. Mona Siddiqui is mainly focusing on the interpretation of teaching mentioned in the Holy Quran and their relevance for today’s issues. In her interpretation, she has been constantly using the material from the Holy Quran and explains those Islamic issues which are of higher importance for individual Muslim but also have substantial relevance for collective actions and understandings as well. On the other hand, Ernst primarily highlights Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) by taking into account the contemporary issues which are being faced by Muslims and non-Muslims as well. However, both have some similarities. For example, both authors have worked within the boundary of Islam and have elaborated Islamic and contemporary issues. Works Cited Siddiqui, Mona. How to Read The Qur’an. New York: W.W. Norton, 2008. Print. Ernst, Carl W. Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World. North Carolina: The University of North Carolina Press, 2003. Print. Read More