Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot's Fight to Save His Faith” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot's Fight to Save His Faith

M. Zuhdi Jasser

4.18 · Rating details · 100 ratings · 19 reviews

A conservative American Muslim and former U.S. Navy lieutenant commander provides an alternate voice to radical Islam.

Among the unsettling social shifts in the wake of 9/11 was the global attention paid to Islam. Here in the United States, we became divided, often sadly along partisan lines, between those who believed every Muslim was a potential threat and those who belie A conservative American Muslim and former U.S. Navy lieutenant commander provides an alternate voice to radical Islam.

Among the unsettling social shifts in the wake of 9/11 was the global attention paid to Islam. Here in the United States, we became divided, often sadly along partisan lines, between those who believed every Muslim was a potential threat and those who believed no Muslim could do wrong.

For conservative Wisconsin native and former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, these radical times meant facing a new reality as a devout Muslim and a patriot—a certain betrayal within his faith, and a need to answer a question that crossed the minds of even the most sensitive and politically correct: “Can a good Muslim be a good American as well?” Jasser founded the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) to instill in young American Muslims an appreciation for the distinctively positive impact that this nation’s ideals of liberty have had upon the world. As a nationally recognized expert on Muslim radicalization, he offers non-Muslims a definitive comprehension of the difference between Islam and the spiritual cancer known as Islamism, or political Islam, and how violence and extremism run counter to Islam’s true teachings. As he persuasively argues, until we acknowledge the threat of Islamism in all its forms, the majority of Americans will be gulled into recognizing only the most obvious: terrorism.

In A Battle for the Soul of Islam, Jasser embraces both his faith and his country while asking hard questions:

* Are American Muslim children learning entitlement as victims, or are they being taught individual responsibility and critical thinking?

* Are poisonous conspiracy theories dividing their American identity, or are they gaining exposure to reason, nationalism, and patriotism?

* Are Muslims publicly critical of the Islamist movements of the Middle East, or do they remain silent on aspects of religious doctrine that conflict with modernity and universal equality?

* Is the American press downplaying the seditious threat of homegrown Islamist radicalism and the influence of Islamists’ propaganda arm on our governmental policies?

* Is our culture of political correctness a major obstacle toward long-overdue Muslim reform against Islamism?

All these years after 9/11, it’s time for us to understand the true threat of Islamism. It is a Muslim problem that needs a Muslim solution, and A Battle for the Soul of Islam builds a solid, balanced, and imperative must-read foundation for the fight. ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published June 5th 2012 by Threshold Editions (first published February 21st 2012)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about A Battle for the Soul of Islam, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about A Battle for the Soul of Islam

Lists with This Book

A Battle for the Soul of Islam by M. Zuhdi Jasser

Islam and the Challenge of Civilization by Abdelwahab Meddeb

Muslim Authors Against Extremism

32 books — 6 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.18 ·

Rating details

· 100 ratings · 19 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot's Fight to Save His Faith

Jun 20, 2012 Nisa rated it it was amazing

If you have any interest in the middle east and the difference between the politics and religion of Islam, I highly recommend this book. Honestly, I wish everyone would pick it up and read it. History does tend to repeat itself, though the characters change. Dr. Jasser does a wonderful job of explaining his Islamic beliefs in comparison to extremists and the history behind it. His own amazing family story is laced through the beginning and, for a nonfiction, I had a hard time putting it down.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 21, 2018 David rated it it was amazing

Re-read on audio book and picked up on more details. It really reinforces the idea that there are both radical and moderate Muslims and if there is to be any serious reform to Islam, it must come from within.

The author, Dr. M. Juhdi Jasser, is exactly what I envision when I think moderate Muslim. He is a very impressive individual to begin with but, as an American born Muslim of legal immigrant parents from Syria, he also has his head in the right place when it comes to being an American first a Re-read on audio book and picked up on more details. It really reinforces the idea that there are both radical and moderate Muslims and if there is to be any serious reform to Islam, it must come from within.

The author, Dr. M. Juhdi Jasser, is exactly what I envision when I think moderate Muslim. He is a very impressive individual to begin with but, as an American born Muslim of legal immigrant parents from Syria, he also has his head in the right place when it comes to being an American first and a Muslim after. Growing up in rural Wisconsin (yes, a life-long Packers fan) and attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, my wife's alma mater, on a scholarship from the US Navy, he initially learned about Islam from his parents including their moderate interpretations as there was no local Muslim community or mosque nearby. What he learned growing up clashed with the more vocal and radical Arab and Palestinian Muslim groups he encountered on college campus and this concerned him. He served honorably as a medical doctor in the US Navy and advised our government officials about policies and issues dealing with Islam and violent jihadists. In this book he describes the internal battle between other moderate Muslims like himself (although mostly not as vocal or visible) who would like to see a reformed Islam, and those who support and push a radical agenda. He descibes several ways to identify the Jihadis, for example telling a joke and if they don't laugh, they are likely Jihadis as they typically have no sense of humor! I think he did an excellent job framing the issues when it comes to Islamists and their agenda and warning whoever will listen before it's too late. Dr. Jasser is like a breath of fresh air in an otherwise bleak picture with respect to radical Islamists and their goals to create a worldwide caliphate. The only problem is he hasn't written any more books...so far. Anyone who has interest in the future of Islam and it's radical elements versus those working actively to reform it and bring it more in line with the other major religions should read this book! It gives some hope for the future. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 12, 2018 Lindie rated it it was amazing

Excellent!

flag Like · see review

Dec 28, 2015 Alexander Fitzgerald rated it it was amazing

A Battle For The Soul Of Islam should be required reading in schools. While it has it's flaws there's so much quality content here that needs to be said. When Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser breaks it down he is an incredible teacher who is hard to refute.

While he does drag out his material in sections that is not to say the doctor is a poor writer. In actuality his command of the English language is daunting, and his points are composed and exacting. It's just his occasional circular nature on the issues A Battle For The Soul Of Islam should be required reading in schools. While it has it's flaws there's so much quality content here that needs to be said. When Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser breaks it down he is an incredible teacher who is hard to refute.

While he does drag out his material in sections that is not to say the doctor is a poor writer. In actuality his command of the English language is daunting, and his points are composed and exacting. It's just his occasional circular nature on the issues which is sure to lose some readers.

His manifesto on liberty is what needs to be heard by others. He has a love for the United States that many readers won't share, but they need to pay attention to what he says about freedom and Islam. He believes there is no true Islam if people are not given a choice. The Qur'an repeatedly reiterates this. If the government mandates through Sharia law that you must be a Muslim than your faith means nothing. He makes a stirring argument for how Muslims must embrace liberty in order to practice a purer Islam. He makes remarkable use of the Qur'an, showing how Muhammad wanted his followers to educate themselves and question, which he suggests can only be done in free societies.

His ability to take shots at Americans and Muslims is refreshing. Many paint him as a right wing Republican. While he certainly is conservative (as many Muslims are) he has no problem exposing the hypocrisy of Americans and our Middle Eastern allies. He doesn't shield anyone just because they share his faith. If he believes they are courting violence he says something.

He does a considerable job of explaining the difficulties Muslims these days face if they speak out. He shows how many of the largest Islamic organizations in the world are actually linked with Islamists. He discusses how many Muslims act as if he is a traitor if he demands they just say the words "Islamic terrorism." He dismisses erroneous moral equivalency unequivocally, and calls out the normal news networks for enabling the Islamists through their apologetic work.

Even more interestingly is his translations of the Qur'an. With knowledge of classical Arabic he shows how Islamists have translated passages and how a moderate would actually see them. He calls out these extremist organizations in the Middle East for painting his religion unfairly, and he takes umbrage with right wingers who have run with these translations in the spirit of division. His passages and contextual history put the Qur'an in a very different light, and makes you realize just how many people are working toward separating the powers of the Earth through this translated work.

Most refreshingly he does not act as if Islam at it's core is a faultless religion. He calls for a reformation, much in the way Christianity needed one, but he makes a logical case for why you would not be altering Islam at all if you embraced the faith within a liberated country.

Even more illuminating is his explanation as to why people come to extremism or silence. Only the truly cold-blooded could not see why so much sectarian violence and terrorism is taking place after he walks you through the radicalization process.

It's a tour de force from start to finish, and one of the best books I have ever read. I always worried about how the West could work with the 1.3 billion Muslims on this Earth, given the division we've experienced so far. To know that logical people such as Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser are heading the fight for a moderate Islam gives me a great deal of hope. ...more

flag Like · see review

Apr 23, 2016 Drtaxsacto rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is an intensely personal book. Dr. Jasser is a physician from Arizona whose parents emigrated from Syria. The author is a prominent figure among conservative Muslims who believe in that very important phrase from three of the Gospels in the New Testament - "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." He is on the opposite side of Muslims who claim that the Koran requires a melding of religious and government actions - the creation of a theocratic state.

The book begins with his own personal This is an intensely personal book. Dr. Jasser is a physician from Arizona whose parents emigrated from Syria. The author is a prominent figure among conservative Muslims who believe in that very important phrase from three of the Gospels in the New Testament - "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." He is on the opposite side of Muslims who claim that the Koran requires a melding of religious and government actions - the creation of a theocratic state.

The book begins with his own personal history. His grandfather was from Syria and was, in the period after WWII, an activist trying to create democratic systems their. His dad was a physician. The family was forced out of their home when the Assad regime (father not Bashar) took the reigns of power. Jasser starts with that history and then his own development and growth in Wisconsin. He served in the medical service in the US Navy and then as a physician, finally settling in Arizona. He also offers some comments on the conflicts he had with his father - who was devout but who also was an authoritarian dad. Both his grandfather and father seem to have been scholars of the Koran and intensely committed to democracy.

Dr. Jasser is an odd mix. While he seems to have been a diligent student and a devout Muslim (one chapter discusses the issues facing a person of faith with considering marrying outside the faith). At the same time but he seems to have worked hard on both the writers around the founding of the American republic and on existential thought. Many physicians limit their intellectual energy to the sciences. Jasser falls well outside those parameters.

He offers several chapters on the extremes of radical Islam - which he believes mis-interprets the Koran to support the blending of Sharia law with secular law. But he also offers two other cautions. First, he suggests that many of the major organizations purporting to be neutral on Islamic terror are actively supporting the radicals. Second, he argues that the only way to reform Islam is from inside. Members of the faith must recognize that the interpretations of the Koran which want to go back fourteen centuries are simply wrong. Muslims can and should have a "reformation" which casts out the nonsensical political interpretations of the Koran. He also discusses the insidious influence of Saudi money in setting up Mosques and Madrassas which link one brand of Islam with funding.

He argues, I believe correctly, that PC cannot be allowed to softly respond to calls by the extremists to allow Sharia law to creep into US standards. He discusses, for example, the absurd claim (which Minnesota rejected) by Muslim cab drivers in Minneapolis, that they should be allowed to refuse service to patrons who carried alcohol or pork products in their cabs. The Catholic church for example has Canonical courts to adjudicate religious issues (for example, questions like annulment of marriages) but they do not intrude upon civil courts.

He ends the book with a letter to his three children (the oldest of whom was about 10 when he wrote the book) explaining what he was trying to do in the book. What I liked best about Jasser's narrative was his mix of personal story with some well researched and clearly argued suggestions for separating Islam from the extremists. ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 19, 2016 David Firester rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: terrorism-studies

Without having read the other reviews regarding Dr. Jasser's book, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for his courage and leadership. Dr. Jasser has authored a book detailing his unbreakable faith in Islam and his undying efforts to reduce Islamist objectives to the dustbin of history. For such seemingly contrary ideals he must be praised. Rarely do we find one who is so deeply in love with his faith, yet wise enough to know when it crosses the line.

If only we had more Dr. Jassers ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 19, 2015 Vera Sophia rated it liked it

Shelves: islam-politics

I really enjoyed reading the first chapters. I whole heartedly agree with with Mr. Jasser on several points. First, the importance of ijtihad in understanding our religion. As revealed in the first revelation ('Iqra'or read) it is fitting that we muslims should have critical thinking and not follow blindly what our religious leaders say. God gave us a brain and a life time to seek him. Second, I agree that it is inappropriate for mosque to be used for political purposes. Let it be a sacred place ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 14, 2015 Tom rated it liked it

Shelves: non-fiction-religious

I really enjoyed this book although at times it did drag. It was educational though and I hope the authors opinions are more of the Muslim majority then minority. I learned the difference between Islam (a religion) and Islamism (a pseudo government based on sharia law which is not in alignment with the US Constitution). I learned that although colonization is considered a bad thing it did leave the people of the middle east educated with hope. When the Europeans left they were replaced by hashed ...more

flag Like · see review

Jul 18, 2012 Kelsey rated it really liked it

Muslim protests are spreading into Indonesia and Thailand (9/2012). If you want to understand the problem, please consider reading "A Battle For the Soul of Islam." http://battleforthesoulofislam.com/

The author claims the central issue is in preserving individual liberty from the metastatic groupthink, which wishes to politically enforce 'church and state' values upon the whole world. The problem is not the faith of Islam, but those within who wish to use it to gain force over others. A remedy, ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 13, 2016 Francine Paino rated it it was amazing

This book is a captivating read. In clear, understandable language, Dr. Jasser defines the heart of the battle between Muslim reformers and revivalists. “Revivalists seek only to put a modern cloak around their central ideology of political Islam, while reformists seek to bring modernity to their own personal interpretations of Islam, through the separation of religion and state.” If more non-Muslims read Dr .Jasser’s book they would learn the differences between Islam and Islamism (political Is ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 25, 2016 Cindy rated it really liked it

I also recently heard Dr Jasser speak. He is a very smart man who is proud to be Muslim and is also a very patriotic American. He has done much work to educate all Americans, but especially Muslim Americans, that the radicalization of young Muslims is a great threat to American freedom and safety. He and his organizations are trying to teach the separation of mosque and state. I am giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 because there is a bit of a Fox News/MSNBC vibe where everyone who disagrees ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 31, 2015 Rosemary rated it it was amazing

A compelling read. Dr. Jassar is a pioneer for reform of Islam. He is an American patriot having served in the Navy. He holds the US Constitution as the most exceptional document insuring liberty and freedom. While he is a devout Muslim he finds no contradictions in he love of the US and his faith much the same as Christians, Jews and other religious people of American citizenship are loyal to their country. I recommend his book to all those who have called me an Islamaphobe and challenge them t ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 14, 2015 Pam rated it it was amazing

Dr. Jasser has written a beautiful book. I would give it ten stars if I could. It should be read by everyone. His courage to stand firm against those who would hijack his religion and turn it into something unrecognizable is to be applauded. His chapter 'How the Qur'an Is Misinterpreted' moved me to tears, as did his letter to his children. He is a man of faith desperately trying to save his faith. ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 04, 2014 Andrea rated it it was amazing

Every American should read the account of a very courageous Muslim American advocating for a non supremacist Islam, struggling against not only the Islamist organizations,--Muslim Brotherhood front groups funded by petrodollars from the Gulf countries--but against our own power structure's obsequious deference to the very people who oppose our constitutional government. ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 16, 2016 Vivian Allen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Review of A Battle for the Soul of Islam.....

This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. Dr. Jasser's handling of this sensitive subject was masterful. A lot of questions were answered for this Southern Baptist. I look forward to seeing more of you on Fox News and would love to see more books. Vivian Wallace Allen ...more

flag Like · see review

Jul 24, 2016 Jeff Dalton rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this book and it helped me see the world through the eyes of a US loving Muslim. I assume he is a small minority, in fact he more or less says that in the book. Some of the statements he makes are great and show that he places more value on the US Constitution than he does his religion.

flag Like · see review

Aug 07, 2012 Charles Blumberg rated it really liked it

Very good book, written by a Muslim addressing the difference between Islam and Islamism (radical political Islam) and the steps Muslims need to take to ensure freedom and liberty. "The problem is not that most Muslims are Islamists, the problem is that most Muslims are passive and silent against Islamists and taking a stand in favor of liberty and democracy." ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 19, 2016 Harriet Brown rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A Battle for the Soul of Islam

A Battle for the Soul of Islam by M. Zudhi Jasser is a fascinating book. It is an unusual picture of the Muslim religion. I highly recommend this book.

flag Like · see review