Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
A Good Look at Islam from a Western Standpoint, 20 Jun 2006
The only way most Europeans and other peoples of the world can view Islam is from the viewpoint of their own cultures. In most cases, they have been raised in either the Christian or Jewish faith. When they look at Islam, they cannot help but compare the word of the Koran with the word of the Old and/or New Testaments. Even Islam states that Jesus was a prophet, though they stop short of divinity.
This book gives a careful and thorough look at the major points of Islam from the standpoint of one coming from a Christo-Judaic culture. It carefully compares the sayings of the Koran AND the Hadiths (the religious interpretation of the Koran) with the cultural 'expectations', religious beliefs and viewpoint of a Christian or Jew. It does not state which one is correct or incorrect, morally or otherwise.
After reading the chapter on women, I was shocked. True, the Koran gave many freedoms to women that did not exist at the time of Muhammad. But - the hadiths (and the Arab culture retained as part of Islam)- take it all away. Add the possibility of stoning for reporting rape (absence of 4 'impeccable' muslim male witnesses for actual penetration), polygamy, religiously accepted wife beating and child marriage and Islam becomes a misogynist's heaven...
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130 of 149 people found the following review helpful:
Praiseworthy yet flawed., 25 May 2003
By A Customer
Spencer's work is to be praised for its attempt to cut through the platitudes about Islam that have become so common in the post September 11th era. In their attempts to inform a largely ignorant Western public about the nature of Islam, he argues, the West's Media, and indeed its politicians, have avoided any real assessment of Islam, preferring instead to offer meaningless political soundbytes.Spencer attempts to understand the 'fundamental' elements of Islam, using the cornerstones of the Islamic faith: The Qur'an, and the Sunnah (collections of the 'sayings and doings' of the prophet Muhammad). His assessment does not shy away from the disturbing questions which the book's title promises, and presents some compelling and equally disturbing answers. However, Spencer has opened himself up to criticism by his tendency to routinely compare Islam with Christianity (with Christianity invariably coming out on top). He also provides only a cursory discussion in the chapters dealing with Islam's compatability with Western Democracy and the Pluralistic Framework, which could have been developed much further. Though it will no doubt be condemned as an apologia for prejudice in some quarters, overall the book is a useful addition to an area that is bereft of serious debate
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent book, 8 Jul 2007
I have read most books dealing with Mohammed the leader of the Mohammedans (muslims) It is rare that the authors get their hands dirty and do any real reseqarch but this author is different he knows his stuff.
Robert Spencer has not only touched heavily on the political side of Islam but also the promiscious and dark side to the leader Mohammed. it is about time that someone begins to looked at the life of Mohammed without being hoodwinked by fear or political correctness. Excellent book you owe to yourself to buy it.
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