Even Angels Ask: A Journey to Islam in America

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Summary: Even Angels Ask - A Journey to Islam in America
Review: A precious gem. If you are looking for a book that approaches Islam in an intellectually-stimulating yet heart-warming manner, this is the book for you. It is difficult to get hold of a book on Islam written by a Western academician. Lang handled the challenge of writing such a book with brilliance. He wrote with sensitivity, honesty and open-mindedness on spiritual issues that beguile most non-Muslims as well as Muslims alike. May Allah reward him for his efforts in conveying Islam to humankind.

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Summary: A Wake up Call!
Review: A wonderful Book! A must-read!.It put me to tears.I could not put this book down.I highly recommend it. Beautifully written. It is a wake up call for all of us immigrant muslims,who do much disservice in the spread of Islam in North America. For new converts,and non-muslims who are are interested in reverting to Islam, this book lays the ground to what you would expect in your journey.Stay steadfast and God will guide you.As a muslim immigrant, I was ashamed to see that a convert muslim was more jealous, and understood Islam better than myself, and others I know, who were born and raised as such. Dr Lang, may God bless you with his mercy.Not only will I recommend this book to my muslim friends, but God willing I will be more involved in my community mosque and Islamic Center.

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Summary: At Last
Review: At last I found someone who knows what he's talking about, at last I found a book concerning Islam written by a western writer that's really worth being read, at last I found the sound of reason that should be listened very carefully by the west as a whole, at last I found the book that must be read by the western people specially the Americans, at last I found the writer who can face the anti-Islamic propaganda with logic and by stating the facts about Islam.

This book that's called "Even Angels Ask: A Journey to Islam in America" is a book that's really worth being read specially by the new converters to Islam because this book is really able to strengthen the faith of any new converter who is still confused and have many questions need to be answered, this book answers many of the critical questions that new converters have about Islam, the writer of this book "Jeffrey Lang" is one of the best writers I ever read to, he has a special way of discussing and explaining the critical issues wisely and calmly and indeed he has a convincing way of writing.

A wise man said "There's always a light in the end of the tunnel", and I can consider this book a way to lighten the darkness in most of the western minds.


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Summary: Honest reflections on Islam in America
Review: Dr. Lang bravely bares his soul for the benefit of American Muslims. His journey through various spiritual stages is inspiring - especially the difficulties he faced as a convert to Islam. He tackles many of the challenges/obstacles/controversies that face Islam in America: how to separate Islam from culture, tradition, and politics. He is not afraid to expose what he believes to be the shortcomings of the Muslim ummah. But he turns the same sharply critical eye on his past and admits to his own mistakes. His criticism though, is meant to show where American Muslims need to progress and grow. Though I do not agree entirely with Dr. Lang's practice of Islam (since he places a great deal of emphasis on the Quran but is less heedful of Hadith/Sunnah), he inarguably has some very important things to say. His book will appeal to young American Muslims because Dr. Lang explains the basis of his faith in a very logical, realistic, and *American* way. And certainly this book is a very important resource for new Muslims who may be feeling lost in a new world. Dr. Lang uses very clear, simple language to express himself so the book is very easy reading.

I am not sure this book would be comprehensible to a non-Muslim who is unfamiliar with the internal dynamics of Muslim communities (not knowing the differences between sects, nationalities, cultures, age groups, political inclinations, etc). If one has a new or casual interest in Islam, this book is too focused to be a good starting point. It might be interesting reading for someone with a core knowledge/understanding of Islam and the Muslim world.

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Summary: Individualistic and completely remarkable!!!
Review: Dr.Lang has done and absolutely wonderful piece of work! its unlike anything i've ever read before and something that I can absolutely relate to even though i'm neither american nor a convert. Just a muslim youth living abroad. I would recommend this book to Everyone cuz its something not to be missed. It shows islam in its true beauty and Dr.Lang, if you are reading this, please write more books :)

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Summary: Unexpectedly Marvellous
Review: Even Angels Ask presents Islam from a modern perspective, to Americans as the audience. It explores some of the questions that usually concerns people who approach religion intellectually and answers them with impressive explanation not lacking spirituality itself. It's a balanced combination of faith and reason. Lang tries to address some questions considered taboos in the traditional Muslim minds, and discusses them according to his understanding. Compelling.

The book explains about the fundamentals of Islam and how the very basic of the tenets work together to provide a comprehensive guidance to the believers. Understanding the concepts and the virtues makes them more meaningful to practising Muslims. Very interesting. He stresses on the need to approach the Islamic practices for their universal values while adhering to the path, instead of taking everything literally without considering the applicability in the current context and situation. Pretty thought-provoking.

Lang talks about some of the things he found prevalent in Muslim communities, which either weaken themselves or even contradict the teachings of Islam. He suggests some actions to take in order to put Islam as the moving forces to the existing communities as well as the truthful way to be projected to new converts and to the non-Muslims.

I'm born Muslim, and indeed it is a humbling read. Although I'm not an American nor am I a resident, I lived in Ann Arbor in mid-90s. Some of the things he speaks of can be applied elsewhere too.

All in all, I'm very satisfied reading it. It's a gem.

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Summary: Good work !
Review: Even Angels ask, is a book that touches the topics, which are rarely discussed in a very objective and moderate way. The tolerance, love and mercy which Islam presents is very often overseen, some times on purpose and other times because the message does not reach the public in the way it should. The Author did a great deal in his "even Angles Ask" by presenting the variety of aspects in the Quoran which leads to, and encourages enlightenment by reason to achieve the divine truth.

I can only recommend this book to be read, especially by those seeking moral support and advice in the western societies.

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Summary: Islam in the eyes of a Westerner
Review: Jeffrey Lang has presented the mercy and compassion of Allah, in particular, so persuasively that I, another former atheist, have followed him to Islam -- I was interested in learning about the religion but had not thought I would actually convert. For other potential converts it might be the way he describes the logic and intelligence of the Qur'an which would do it, or his obvious sincerity and honesty in telling why and how he converted, with many of the emotional components of his experience.

In my opinion this book is better than his other book, Struggling to Surrender, and I'm glad I read this one first. I wonder if those who have been Muslims all their lives have any idea how many converts this book is likely to produce. It is too bad it is not better known.

Rating:
Summary: Humbling...
Review: This is without a doubt a must read book for anyone raised in the West, specifically in America, who is intrigued by Islam as a viable spiritual path. In spite of the stereotypes and media bashing that takes place regarding Islam and Muslims there are many in the West who are converting. Mr. Lang is one of them.

The story of his journey is told humbly, cautiously, even reservedly. And this is the merit of the book. Strangely enough, his perspective allows for great conversation on the distinction between Islam's claims of absolute truth in a religious sense and those of the cultural edifice that surrounds Islam, often confused with the religious claims of Islam.

Mr. Lang is thus in a unique position to provide just critique from within the fold of Islam to goad Muslims to what is real and true within Islam. And his views are well articulated and crystal clear.

The story of his reversion to Islam is told in a heartfelt manner and is very touching. I have corresponded with him and he is a genuine seeker, one who is not satisfied with the status quo and the formal and ritualistic. This book expresses his longings both before and after is reversion. It is told in a very human and very heartfelt manner.

It is a must read for Westerners to understand the difficulty in understanding Islam and for Muslims outside of the West toward realizing what is and is not cultural when it comes to Islam's claims at universal truth.

Rating:
Summary: Humbling...
Review: This is without a doubt a must read book for anyone raised in the West, specifically in America, who is intrigued by Islam as a viable spiritual path. In spite of the stereotypes and media bashing that takes place regarding Islam and Muslims there are many in the West who are converting. Mr. Lang is one of them.

The story of his journey is told humbly, cautiously, even reservedly. And this is the merit of the book. Strangely enough, his perspective allows for great conversation on the distinction between Islam's claims of absolute truth in a religious sense and those of the cultural edifice that surrounds Islam, often confused with the religious claims of Islam.

Mr. Lang is thus in a unique position to provide just critique from within the fold of Islam to goad Muslims to what is real and true within Islam. And his views are well articulated and crystal clear.

The story of his reversion to Islam is told in a heartfelt manner and is very touching. I have corresponded with him and he is a genuine seeker, one who is not satisfied with the status quo and the formal and ritualistic. This book expresses his longings both before and after is reversion. It is told in a very human and very heartfelt manner.

It is a must read for Westerners to understand the difficulty in understanding Islam and for Muslims outside of the West toward realizing what is and is not cultural when it comes to Islam's claims at universal truth.