Demystifying Islam: Tackling the Tough Questions

by Harris Zafar

Despite heightened interest in the study of the Muslim faith, for many people Islam remains shrouded in mystery and confusion. What really is Shariah law? How is a Muslim to understand Jihad? Does Islam oppose Western values such as free speech or freedom of religion? What place do women have according to Islam?

Understanding that this confusion has as much to do with the behavior and words of Muslims as it does with allegations made by anti-Islam activists, Demystifying Islam offers refreshingly bold answers to provocative questions about Islam today. Author Harris Zafar—lecturer, writer, teacher and national spokesperson for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA—is forthright about issues where Muslims disagree, and he digs into history through vast research and scholarship to track the origins of differing beliefs. From the burqa to the role of Jesus in Islam, Demystifying Islam is an essential resource and concise guide to understanding the fastest growing religion in the world.

Genres: Religion, Islam, Nonfiction

218 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Harris Zafar is a public speaker, writer, adjunct instructor, and activist, as well as a commentator on Islam, human rights, pluralism, and freedom of religion. As National Spokesperson and Director of Youth Outreach for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA -- among the oldest Muslim organizations in America -- Harris addresses issues facing Islam and the Muslim world in various media and works with thousands of Muslim youth on speaking out about the true teachings of Islam. A staunch advocate for universal human rights, Harris was praised in a March 2012 motion raised on the floor of the House of Commons in Great Britain for his work in defending religious freedom. He is married with three beautiful children and resides in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[David Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book addresses several different subtopics of Islam such as freedom of religion, freedom of expression, jihad and sharia law. Each section is 15 to 25 pages long approximately, and the author uses Quran references and also some references to the hadith and the sunna to back up his assertions that, despite the practices of some high-profile individuals and groups, Islam really is a tolerant religion which allows each person the freedom to define for him or herself how and what to believe.

I find his arguments convincing, and I'd like to see this message disseminated more widely among both Muslim and non-Muslim groups.

[Alexander Rolfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a bit like reading an introduction to Christianity written by a Mormon-- much of it would be just fine, but in some important areas it would be rejected by the vast majority of Christians. Zafar belongs to a sect regarded as heretical by 99% of Muslims, and it shows in this book. So it's not a very good introduction to what Muslims believe about these "tough questions," because most people won't realize how far out of the mainstream he is, nor will they be able to follow his very technical and linguistic arguments about the meaning of certain passages in the Koran.

I wish him well in his battle for the soul of Islam, since his beliefs are pretty consonant with western values. This book is interesting as an attempt to liberalize a religion that could use liberalizing, but I'm not betting on his success. It's disheartening to see what a struggle it is. He has to get really creative with the Koran, which Muslims view as the verbatim, eternal, unchanging word of God.

[Thomas Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know about Islam but as a professor I have to deal with the issues that confuse students. Zafar lays out the basic issues that appear repeatedly and often confusedly in the press or student questions. The presentation is clear, the answers easily understandable. A good read for politicians.

[Matthew Harvill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! I was interested after reading a book about Jesus and learning more about Christianity and this book was a perfect view into Islam! I only read about 40% since I started to get the gist, but it was so exciting and interesting to learn how so many of the modern religious groups have so much in common!

[Karel Baloun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucidly and enjoyably explains why all of my main modern fears or Islam as due to conservative and undeniably incorrect, blasphemous even, interpretations of the Quran and history.

Islam decreed and administered by dictatorships and monarchies today is just about what you'd expect from a Christianity that continued to be run by Popes with Emperors or Kings. Political freedom via democracy, science and capitalism has allowed more authentic and liberal versions of various religions and spirituality to appear.

Yet politically and legally, how does it help to know if 90%+ of the world's political and legal Muslim frameworks are counter to fundamental Islamic teaching, and that many of the customs that pervade "Islamic" countries should not be counted against Islam? It's similar to saying "pious" conservative Christians, like US evangelicals that like war or the conservative Catholic Church that still teaches the bible with so much nonsense is literally true, are not really living up to Christs message.

Both of these conservative religious institutions would be disowned by their prophetic founders, and their interpretations set back humanity. Books like this could help restore true piety, for people who need to follow these religions.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand Islam better than when I picked the book up. Given the diversity of views within Islam i'm not sure how many Muslims would agree with the author. Still, I'm really glad I read it. One disappointment is that when discussing jihad he limited the discussion to the modern era and failed to address the wars that expanded the reach of Islam in the seventh through eleventh centuries.

[Mills College Library]

297 Z17 2014

[D Kass · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good reference for non-Muslims about the Islamic faith. I learned a lot.