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20th out of 110 books
—
46 voters
The Hadj: An American's Pilgrimage to Mecca
A convert to Islam describes his pilgrimage to Mecca, recounting his preparations for the trip, the significance of the pilgrimage, and his journey across Muslim North Africa.
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
September 2nd 1998
by Grove Press
(first published January 31st 1994)
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Readers expecting insights into Islamic spirituality will find this a different kind of book. Its first half describes a long visit to Marrakesh during which the author is the house guest of an old friend who is a shop owner in the Old City's bazaar. A recent convert to Islam in California, Wolfe discovers how the teachings of Muhammad infuse the daily life and culture of this Moroccan city.
The second half of the book describes his own hadj (pilgrimage) to Mecca, where millions of the faithful g...more
The second half of the book describes his own hadj (pilgrimage) to Mecca, where millions of the faithful g...more
Apr 27, 2010
Lizzie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anybody curious about Islam or who enjoys travel books
An interesting account of an American convert to Islam's pilgrimage to Mecca. He talks a bit in the beginning about what drew him from Judaism to Islam but it's not really a spiritual memoir. He describes his trip, pausing in places to talk about the hadj in its historical context, and to describe the people he spends time with along the way. He's traveled a lot in the Mideast and starts his journey in Morocco, staying with old friends. Once he goes to Saudi Arabia, he's part of an American dele...more
For those who think to pick up this book as a guide on how to perform the Hadj, don't. This is a travelogue. For the minutiae, there are countless other resources for reference.
Is it fair to call this book The Hadj, when the actual description of his pilgrimage only takes place in the latter half of the book? I tried to justify his title, that by starting out in Morocco, Wolfe is on the path of his pilgrimage.
But somehow that doesn't seem to cut it. The intention to perform the hadj is a soberin...more
Is it fair to call this book The Hadj, when the actual description of his pilgrimage only takes place in the latter half of the book? I tried to justify his title, that by starting out in Morocco, Wolfe is on the path of his pilgrimage.
But somehow that doesn't seem to cut it. The intention to perform the hadj is a soberin...more
Too many qotes, so little time
"Everything that counts goes on in the darkness. We can never know another's inside story" (102).
"Most Americans don't know Islam from a tomato" (142).
Michael: Most of my people [Americans] believe the TV.
Hamza: The Muslims have not faired well on your television.
Michael: No one has faired well. The average American student can't find Georgia on a map.
(142)
"Mardini was scathing about Makkan roadmanship. He called it the insha' Allah school of driving . . . Dropouts...more
"Everything that counts goes on in the darkness. We can never know another's inside story" (102).
"Most Americans don't know Islam from a tomato" (142).
Michael: Most of my people [Americans] believe the TV.
Hamza: The Muslims have not faired well on your television.
Michael: No one has faired well. The average American student can't find Georgia on a map.
(142)
"Mardini was scathing about Makkan roadmanship. He called it the insha' Allah school of driving . . . Dropouts...more
Terribly written travelogue! Have not seen such a boring read for a long time. Author trying to describe it's path to islam and exactly his travel to Mecca. Almost half of the book is the time author spent in Morocco. He is trying to describe a little bit of anthropological facts with big part of islam culture and islam religion doctrines. But most of the islamic postulates are given with very little details. I'd better read religious dictionary for that purpose. I gave 2 for this book just beca...more
As an American (and Jewish!) convert to Islam, Wolfe's account of the hajj (trip to Mecca) was absolutely fascinating, and paints a portrait of Islam as a religion that emphasizes purity of heart over social class.
I read this after reading Asra Nomani's "Standing Alone in Mecca" and was disappointed with this one; more like a day-to-day documentary than a soul-finding journey.
Liked it very much. One of the better 20th century travelogues about the Hadj written by a (then) recent revert to Islam.
I really enjoy reading his experience :)
3.5 stars.
I am much more informed on the Hajj/Hadj than I was before this book. I enjoyed the perspective from an American not born into the religion.
I am much more informed on the Hajj/Hadj than I was before this book. I enjoyed the perspective from an American not born into the religion.
Wolfe’s very descriptive and insightful and personal narrative of the hajj to Mecca. Inspired much good conversation, and even more wonderful stories by one Muslim sister of her own experiences. Everyone felt they learned a lot. Some discussion of pilgrimage in each of our traditions. Highly recommended. No issues of controversy around this book. (Review by Wellesly)
buku ini bisa dibilang jendela pertama untuk perjalanan impian ke mekkah. gaya cerita orang pertama membuat buku ini jadi enak dibaca, sangat deskriptif n sarat informasi terutama buat calon-calon haji yang ingin perjalanannya kelak tidak sekedar ritual tetapi jadi perjalanan spiritual yang rasional. GREAT!!!
(aq sih baca edisi indonesianya ... maklum...)
(aq sih baca edisi indonesianya ... maklum...)
Feb 23, 2008
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