3 out of 4 stars
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Islam is a religion that is often misunderstood by others, particularly in the Western World. It has been misconstrued by many for political purposes which creates fear and mistrust in many who believe what they have been told. Often, we fall into the habit of fearing what we don’t understand and believing the stereotypes and negative messages pushed by the media. Personally, I have been guilty of this and never really explored the beauty of Islam, only paid attention to its bad sides. This book helps shed light on the principles and beliefs of Islam.
Islam is a religion, but it’s also a lifestyle. In Who are the Believers: An Islamic Perspective by Dr. Muhammad A. Hafeez, it guides you throughout the beliefs and principles that form the foundation pf Islam. It is a step by step guide that can be used to help those newly converted to the religion or those who seek to learn more about Islam. It is written in a straight-forward manner that simplifies many of the terms of Islam that may look complicated to the average non-Islamic individual. This book falls underneath the category of religion and non-fiction.
This is the author’s first book that I have read. Dr. Haffez has spent years studying the Quran and Islam. I enjoyed the book, though for the average person it may be considered lengthy. It is 352 pages, so it’s not something you can pick up and read when you’re bored. You have to be actively seeking to learn about Islam and its key teachings. Also, if you are not practicing Islam you may find it hard to understand what is being said.
My thoughts: I give this book a 3 out of 4. This book accomplishes what its goal educating and providing a guide about the Islamic faith. It is definitely more educational than entertaining. It is not meant to be entertaining and the average reader may find it uninteresting. I recommend this book to those who want to know more about the Islamic faith. In that regard I found it quite insightful. Each chapter speaks on a different topic or concepts. Some of the topics addressed as marriage/divorce, the characteristics one should uphold and which traits/habits one should stay away from.
Although the book was well written, I find some of the concepts hard to understand. It may be because I am not of the Islamic faith, but it was a bit difficult to understand at times. However, the author appears well versed in Islamic teachings. I prefer to read books about religion by individuals who are qualified and well-versed in that particular belief system. It adds credibility and authenticity to the book. Overall, I learned much about Islam. I think others should read this book to enlighten themselves.
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Who are the Believers? An Islamic Perspective
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