A God Who Hates: The Courageous Woman Who Inflamed the Muslim World Speaks Out Against the Evils of Islam

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A God Who Hates: The Courageous Woman Who Inflamed the Muslim World Speaks Out Against the Evils of Islam

by Wafa Sultan

3.74 · rating details · 84 ratings · 33 reviews

From the front page of The New York Times to YouTube, Dr. Wafa Sultan has become a force radical Islam has to reckon with. For the first time, she tells her story and what she learned, first-hand, about radical Islam in A God Who Hates, a passionate memoir by an outspoken Arabic woman that is also a cautionary tale for the West. She grew up in Syria in a culture ruled...more

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published October 13th 2009 by St. Martin's Press

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Feb 05, 2010

Ebookwormy rated it

Shelves: currenteventspolitics, non-fiction, world-global, world-middleeast

I have never been able to find a book about Islam that deals with the salvation of women. This has lead me to wonder if Islam offers salvation to women. A well read relative sent me this book by mail with instruction to note the later chapters that deal with women and Islam.

This is a distressingly painful read. I learned many things. As can be imagined, the author does not see Islam in a favorable light. She is dealing with Islam in the macro, and certainly her observations cannot be...more

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Apr 06, 2011

Trish rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: africa, mideast, nonfiction, foreign-affairs, biography

First off, let me say that Wafa Sultan, an American psychiatrist born in Syria, is a very brave woman. She clearly believes that the Muslim religion damages believers, and says so openly, and loudly. Judging from her expectation of how such talk will be received among the primary audience for her essays, fellow Muslims, she qualifies as heroic. America is involved in fighting two wars in Muslim countries, and has contemplated another (Iran). What I’d most like to hear is that 9/11 was an a...more
First off, let me say that Wafa Sultan, an American psychiatrist born in Syria, is a very brave woman. She clearly believes that the Muslim religion damages believers, and says so openly, and loudly. Judging from her expectation of how such talk will be received among the primary audience for her essays, fellow Muslims, she qualifies as heroic. America is involved in fighting two wars in Muslim countries, and has contemplated another (Iran). What I’d most like to hear is that 9/11 was an aberration, that Muslim countries are filled with reasonable people who, being human, have the same general needs, desires, hopes as the rest of non-Muslims on the planet. Unfortunately, I did not get that reassurance in this book.

In an earlier review for Jean Sasson’s book, Growing Up bin Laden, I mentioned that Osama Bin Laden appears to hate his enemies more than he loves his family, his countrymen, or his country. Wafa Sultan says much the same thing about all Islamic-adherents in this book. She uses references from the Koran to illuminate the sources of the rhetoric coming from mullahs, clerics, and ordinary citizens of Muslim countries. I appreciate someone leading me through the maze of translations of the Koran and pulling out references, but I did have the uneasy feeling one may get when lines of any big, old, religious text (like the Bible) are quoted. She certainly knows more than I do about Islam, so I must defer to her insistence that these quotes are interpreted literally. Not being a big fan of the Bible, I am not sure how many out there take the words literally today. I would guess a small proportion of those that call themselves Christian are literal in their interpretation of the Bible. I have no idea whether or not I could assume the same level of rationality in the Middle East. Wafa Sultan says no.

The author makes many good points which resonate. First, she does not spare herself in her critique, but shows how Islam made her shallow, and narrow-minded in her dealings with Islam’s traditional enemies, Jews, for instance. She also points out that Muslim tend to view themselves as victims, and as such, may have held themselves back from achieving bigger things with their oil wealth and opportunities. Another good point is that the less compelling the idea (Islam), the more virulent the defenders must be to keep it alive (threatening their own people and infidels with destruction). However, the author is somewhat messianic in her message that Muslims cannot be taken at face value, and can never be trusted to interact truthfully with nonbelievers. It is a grim message, and a difficult one for Americans brought up on laissez faire and 'live and let live'. Perhaps hers is a lesson we disregard at our peril.(less)

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Nov 29, 2011

Amanda rated it

Shelves: biographal-and-memoirs, controversial, bad-books-i-feel-i-should-warn-you

Her book begins with....."Most Muslims, if not all of them, will condemn me to death when they read this book. They may not even read it. The title alone may push them to condemn me. That's how things are with them. They don't read, or id they do, they don't take in what they read"

Dear Ms. Wafa, I am a Muslim. I can read. And your book was shit. I do have reasons.

I picked up this book expecting a lot more from this arrogant woman. Until I read the back ...more

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Aug 08, 2011

Nura Yusof rated it

· review of another edition

I am a Muslim although am not a good one. Wafa Sultan does present some salient points but I'm wondering whether it could've been presented in a less inflammatory way.

Her description of injustices towards women and the violence of Islam's history is not new. The same goes with her description of the various aspects of the prophet Muhammad's life. And yes, while the latter are certainly eye-opening for me, let's just say that it encourages me to seek a different opinion or version to be...more

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Jul 28, 2011

Steve Cran added it

Wafa Sultan, author of this book, lived in Syria for 32 years. She was born in a coastal town called Banias and ended up going to Medical school in order to be a doctor. The book is a combination auto-biography/ commentary on living in an Islamic society. She was born and raised a Muslim. In her mind Muslim society is a closed society that is totally dominated by fear. Islam was born out in the harsh desert environmental where a man never knew how long he would survive. To conquer these fears th...moreWafa Sultan, author of this book, lived in Syria for 32 years. She was born in a coastal town called Banias and ended up going to Medical school in order to be a doctor. The book is a combination auto-biography/ commentary on living in an Islamic society. She was born and raised a Muslim. In her mind Muslim society is a closed society that is totally dominated by fear. Islam was born out in the harsh desert environmental where a man never knew how long he would survive. To conquer these fears the Bedouin developed an Ogre so to speak that would help them submerge their fears. Fear is what prevents the muslims from questioning anything in Islam.
The First victim of Islam is the women. Women are treated like chattel with virtually no rights in their society. THey have no say in who they are going t marry. This is illustrated by the story she tells about her grandmother. Her grandmother was married of when she was young against her will to a man she did not love. Running away back to her parents home was no better. It was just as oppressive. She did end up living in her brothers house and then finally living with her daughter Wafa's mother. Wafa's mother was a second wife to a man old enough to be her father. In fact her mother was only one year older than the man's younger daughter. Wafa's mother was never truly happy despite how nice her husband was. Her father died at a young age. Financial affair were left in the care of a Christian business partner while an elder half brother saw to it that Wafa got a good education. Fortunate for Wafa that he was modern minded and got her to go to school. While in Aleppo she saw how smothering life was for a women. She people she lived with were very conservative. The wife never left home with out permission. She could never be seen talking to another man. The wife's husband always used to insult her and put her down.
In a country like Syrian if a woman has sexual relations before marriage it is a stain up the family honor. For it she can be killed. Often times as Wafa Sultan would find out the first person to touch a young woman would not be a boyfriend, rather she would be raped by a brother, cousin or even the father. Wafa found this out and a whole lot more while working in clinics for women. Women as young as nine years old would come to the office with busted Hymens and and signs of pregnancy. To abort the pregnancy and perform a hymenectomy the doctor who was very corrupt would over charge them so as to make the most money possible. The doctors also over looked the signs of abuse that was apparent on the bodies of these women, One woman came to thee clinic with cigarette burns on her body. The Husband had burned her for being stupid. The doctor agreed with the husband.
All in all Wafa grew up in a repressive society that did not respect women in the slightest. Those who did not follow Islam were looked down upon. Her arrival according to her was a blessing and she was amazed at the friendliness and honesty of the American people. According to her Muslims believe in fate and everything is in God's hands. This allows for a certain ambiguity of evading yes or no questions and it also allows them to avoid responsibility for their actions.
Wafa Sultan's book represents a series of books that are critical of Islamic society. It is am insiders views of what is going on, what is wrong and what needs to change. Bear in mind her point of view does not necessarily represent my point of view.(less)

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Feb 26, 2011

Linda rated it

I first came across the name of Wafa Sultan through the shrill YouTube video that went viral, accompanied by breathless descriptions of the "brave and gallant woman" who dared to speak out against the evils of Islam. Like the book that followed, Sultan's video is awash with hyperbole, overstatement and "facts" that are, to put it mildly, questionable - but damn, does that woman have a knack for telling the bigots exactly what they want to hear! Laila Lalami, a Moroccan-bor...moreI first came across the name of Wafa Sultan through the shrill YouTube video that went viral, accompanied by breathless descriptions of the "brave and gallant woman" who dared to speak out against the evils of Islam. Like the book that followed, Sultan's video is awash with hyperbole, overstatement and "facts" that are, to put it mildly, questionable - but damn, does that woman have a knack for telling the bigots exactly what they want to hear! Laila Lalami, a Moroccan-born writer describes the work of writers like Sultan in the following way: "...billed as profound meditations on faith and searing critiques of Islam's treatment of women and minorities, but they are riddled with inaccuracies and generalisations. "In their persistent conflating of religion, civilisation, geographical region and very distinct cultures," she continues, "these books are more likely to obfuscate than educate."
On one hand, I found myself thinking, "If this was her experience, I'm not surprised that this is how she views Islam," but hard upon that thought would come another: "Is she telling the truth or telling a good story?". Sultan has already been exposed for at least one important falsehood, namely regarding the assassination of a professor that she describes as having been murdered before her eyes to the shouts of "Allahhu Akbar". According to a number of sources, this professor was indeed assassinated, but the murder took place off campus. It appears unlikely that Sultan could have witnessed it, but she goes on to leave the following helpful footnote, presumably for the benefit of non-Muslims: "When Muslims kill, they shout "Allahu Akbar!" - "Allah is the greatest!". This phrase, uttered during every prayer, now takes on a murderous connotation and one can only wonder at the effect it would have on one of Sultan's readers who took her tome as gospel and then happened to visit a mosque! By the way, didn't any of Sultan's worshipful reviewers suspect just a teensy bit of exaggeration in her claim to be the first "Muslim" woman ever to tell a man to be quiet in fourteen centuries? Oh dear, guess not!(less)

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Jan 15, 2011

Karl rated it

Is Islam a peaceful religion as so many pro-Islamic organizations would have you believe? The answer to that is ‘No’ according to Dr Wafa Sultan. Dr Sultan is warning us of the encroachment of Shariah Law into western society. It is no small feat to speak out against Islam and Dr Sultan shows though example and metaphor to take on the ogre that Islam has become.

In the book 'A God Who Hates', we see the hidden world of women living in an Islamic society. Working at a gynecologic...more

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Feb 05, 2010

Trish rated it

Shelves: mideast, nonfiction

First off, let me say that Wafa Sultan, an American psychiatrist born in Syria, is a very brave woman. She clearly believes that the Muslim religion damages believers, and says so openly, and loudly. Judging from her expectation of how such talk will be received among the primary audience for her essays, fellow Muslims, she qualifies as heroic. America is involved in fighting two wars in Muslim countries, and has contemplated another (Iran). What I’d most like to hear is that 9/11 was an aberrat...moreFirst off, let me say that Wafa Sultan, an American psychiatrist born in Syria, is a very brave woman. She clearly believes that the Muslim religion damages believers, and says so openly, and loudly. Judging from her expectation of how such talk will be received among the primary audience for her essays, fellow Muslims, she qualifies as heroic. America is involved in fighting two wars in Muslim countries, and has contemplated another (Iran). What I’d most like to hear is that 9/11 was an aberration, that Muslim countries are filled with reasonable people who, being human, have the same general needs, desires, hopes as the rest of non-Muslims on the planet. Unfortunately, I did not get that reassurance in this book.

In an earlier review for Jean Sasson’s book, Growing Up bin Laden, I mentioned that Osama Bin Laden appears to hate his enemies more than he loves his family, his countrymen, or his country. Wafa Sultan says much the same thing about all Islamic-adherents in this book. She uses references from the Koran to illuminate the sources of the rhetoric coming from mullahs, clerics, and ordinary citizens of Muslim countries. I appreciate someone leading me through the maze of translations of the Koran and pulling out references, but I did have the uneasy feeling one may get when lines of any big, old, religious text (like the Bible) are quoted. She certainly knows more than I do about Islam, so I must defer to her insistence that these quotes are interpreted literally. Not being a big fan of the Bible, I am not sure how many out there take the words literally today. I would guess a small proportion of those that call themselves Christian are literal in their interpretation of the Bible. I have no idea whether or not I could assume the same level of rationality in the Middle East. Wafa Sultan says no.

The author makes many good points which resonate. First, she does not spare herself in her critique, but shows how Islam made her shallow, and narrow-minded in her dealings with Islam’s traditional enemies, Jews, for instance. She also points out that Muslim tend to view themselves as victims, and as such, may have held themselves back from achieving bigger things with their oil wealth and opportunities. Another good point is that the less compelling the idea (Islam), the more virulent the defenders must be to keep it alive (threatening their own people and infidels with destruction). However, the author is somewhat messianic in her message that Muslims cannot be taken at face value, and can never be trusted to interact truthfully with nonbelievers. It is a grim message, and a difficult one for Americans brought up on laissez faire and 'live and let live'. Perhaps hers is a lesson we disregard at our peril.
(less)

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Jul 30, 2011

Lisa rated it

This book is a fascinating look at Islam from someone who lived it for 32 years. I finished it in two or three sittings because I couldn't put it down. Wafa Sultan takes her readers inside the Muslim world and we see the daily lives of its followers. Her analysis of how Islam came to be the kind of religion it is, because of the harsh environment it grew out of, was very compelling. One thing I don't think I'll ever forget is what she said about her reaction when she heard Colin Powell say, ...more

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Aug 04, 2011

David Johnston rated it

Wafa Sultan claims to be an atheist, and maybe to Muslims she is because she is no longer a Believer in the god who hates, but she sounds more agnostic than anything else. Perhaps atheism is a purgatorial stage she must go through to finally escape the ogre of Islam. She relates a fable where a brave, young traveler comes upon a village where all the people are afraid and have no spirit and furtively sneak around looking over their shoulders because of a huge ogre who lives in a cave high upon...more

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Sep 24, 2011

Ingrid Klansek rated it

Wafa Sultan does a very good job of describing the basic origins or Islam, how that impacts the thinking and way of life for Muslims and helps to explain the differences between Allah and the God of Judaism and Christianity. As a Syrian Muslim herself, she works from personal knowledge and experience, but is quite analytical in her approach when dissecting the basic tenents of Islam and why she believes the God of Islam is one of hate. She describes herself now, as an atheist, but at the same ti...more

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Jan 11, 2012

Marie rated it

I am not a muslim, but I was born and leaved in Syria for 35 years. I attended the Faculty of Law in Aleppo. I've read the Quran and the Sharia'a more than once and had to study the islamic law. I had muslim friends. Although I agree with most of Ms. Sultan's ideas, but as I was reading the book, I felt that at some points it was not so clear if she as talking about the islam as a religion or Syria as a country. As a non-muslim and as a woman, I never was a subject of any kind of discrimination....more

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Oct 21, 2009

Ivan rated it

I came away from this book feeling a bit hopeless, but also with a strong urge to learn as much as I can about Islam. If what Wafa Sultan writes is true, we westerners really don't have a clue about what we're dealing with, and if we are to have any hope at all of defending ourselves against the militant Islamists (whether at war in the Middle East or at home in our communities) we have to make a real effort to understand where Muslim ideology comes from. A very sobering read.

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Jan 03, 2010

Tina rated it

This book is well written and easy to follow. I'm very interested in reading a book that speaks well of Islam as strongly as she condemns it. It's hard to believe that a religion that is as deeply flawed as she contends has so many followers. Do her experiences speak more clearly of what it is (or was) like to be a woman in Syria?

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Jan 02, 2012

Mrs. Deering rated it

Shelves: 10th-dignity-unit

Ms. Stultan definitely has a strong view. I always had hoped that Muslims, like Jews and Christians had their extreme groups and than more moderate. According to the author, moderation is not allowed. Her insights into human rights, especially women's, are fascinating. I would love to discuss her writing with Muslim friends, if they will let me!

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Jun 16, 2010

Carol Schultz rated it

Excellent. Not only does she discuss the topic with thought provoking ideas but she also reminds us of what the American Dream really means and challenges us to question our own prejudices. Wish it could be assigned reading in schools. but admittedly some may find her conclusions objectionable.

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Mar 24, 2010

K.K. rated it

Ought to be required reading for anyone considering "reverting" to Islam. Islam's uglier than ever, after reading this book. Wafa Sultan has ovaries of steel for writing this.

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May 05, 2011

Amy rated it

Very interesting...I'm sure her critics would disagree but I think it must have taken quite a bit of courage for Sultan to come out with a book like this.

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Jul 26, 2011

Chez rated it

A very important book, although heart-breaking in its revelations from inside Islam. Everyone should read this one!

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Dec 23, 2009

Aimei rated it

The media obscures the facts and completely "neutralizes" the terrible threat of Islam in this country and the world.

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Feb 09, 2012

Nancy Hanna rated it

Very Insightful, I found myself overwhelmed with sympathy for the physically, mentally, & emotionally abused women of Islam...

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Aug 13, 2010

Linda marked it as to-read

NPR interview with the author

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Jul 22, 2010

Robin rated it

An important topic written about by a courageous woman.

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Mar 21, 2010

Isabell rated it

So far, I am completely captivated by this book.

Finished this book last week and still can't stop thinking about it. This is a must read for anyone serious about US security.

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Sep 29, 2010

Badger rated it

· review of another edition

Interesting and at times it provoked me to anger, but only three stars as I found her writing repetitive and her hypotheses left me less than convinced. But then, I must inevitably compare her with Ayaan Hirshi Ali, particularly 'Infidel', and Wafa must suffer from that. - It's still worth reading, though.

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Sep 14, 2011

Irene rated it

Great book - eerie story

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Jan 03, 2010

Cherylck rated it

Shelves: in-home-library

the study of Islam by a Muslim woman doctor in a psychological manner

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Apr 20, 2010

Rachel rated it

It is so frightening what is happening to Muslim women!
Those women who become suicide bombers in most cases HAVE NO CHOICE!

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Jun 17, 2010

Evie Benton rated it

THIS IS A MUST READ.

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Nov 04, 2011

Rivqah rated it

Shelves: politics, middle-eastern-women

Unfortunately, Wafa Sultan is confusing true Islam with Pre-Islamic tribal customs that have continued to persist and are nothing to do with true Islam.

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