Islam in Focus

Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Primer for Most Subjects
Review: I found this to be a very good starter book in most areas. Basic subjects are covered such as the five pillars and about applying Islam to one's daily life.

The chapter dealing with prayer was superb and is one of my favorite books dealing with the issues of prayer right after "The Illuminated Prayer" by Coleman Barks. Basic concepts are covered as well and may well give the non-Muslim Western reader a nice window into the day to day life of Muslims and how religious Muslims use the principles of Islam into their every day lives.

I do, however, have two points about this book which did bother me somewhat, hence the 4 stars instead of five. The author occasionally justifies the Islamic point of view by stating that people "in the West" do bad thing A or bad thing B. I don't find this type of approach all that helpful when trying to reach a Western audience. Also, I feel that if an Islamic concept is good enough for all to follow, it should be able to do so on its own merits and not by comparing it to another system to "prove" how good it is. It looks too defensive.

Also, the mention of polygyny is not covered from both sides. It does give the androcentric point of view that any man who is not receiving enough sex from his wife is able to just take another. This way of using (or abusing) polygyny is often pushed by most (male) scholars, but other interpretations are out there that favor the woman, but are often overlooked by the male power structure. Amina Wadud's "Quran and Woman" gets into this topic from a more female balanced point of view, and reading the two together should give a fuller idea of the various views on polygyny. Related to this, the author correctly lists how Islam gave women rights, but gets into little detail of the day to day realities for Muslim women, which, believe me, are far from the rosy picture often painted by the male scholars.

Still, I would totally recommmend this book even with my disagreements, if nothing else for the excelent chapter on prayer. Back in the days when Islam was held in higher regard, scholars often agreed to disagree and few stated that they were absolutely correct. It is something we have left behind in these Wahabi styled times, and something we could use again.

Rating:
Summary: It has never been so clear
Review: Islam in Focus was the first books (aside from the Quaran) that actually broke the religion down for me. I gained so much knowledge from this book. Everything from why it is important to fast, to the signifigance of women in Isalm. It address some of the many misconceptionf of the religion along also. This book is the best book a "revert" can ever come across. I highly reccomend it.

Rating:
Summary: A very good first book
Review: This book answers questions you might have about the religion that finds so much mention and so little understanding today. If you are a serious student, you need to put aside most of what you have learnt about Islam from the media. Then begin with this book. [...]

It is better to combine this book with a good translation of the Quran, like that of Yusuf Ali. However the book from Jeffrey Lang is useless. Save your money.

Rating:
Summary: All you need to know
Review: This book explains all the basics of Islam in a factual, non preachy and very readable way. It is an invaluable tool whether you are a non-Muslim wishing to learn about Islam or a new Muslim needing information not just on the teachings of Islam but also the practical daily basics such as ablution (wudu) and ritual prayers (salat).

Highly recommended indeed.

Rating:
Summary: All you need to know
Review: This book explains all the basics of Islam in a factual, non preachy and very readable way. It is an invaluable tool whether you are a non-Muslim wishing to learn about Islam or a new Muslim needing information not just on the teachings of Islam but also the practical daily basics such as ablution (wudu) and ritual prayers (salat).

Highly recommended indeed.