Recommended books on Quran/Islam & related topics
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A must-read imho
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Qur'an and Woman Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective
Fourteen centuries of Islamic thought have produced a legacy of interpretive readings of the Qu'ran written almost entirely by men. Now, with Qu'ran and Woman, Amina Wadud provides a first interpretive reading by a woman, a reading which validates the female voice in the Qu'ran and brings it out of the shadows. Muslim progressives have long argued that it is not the religion but patriarchal interpretation and implementation of the Qu'ran that have kept women oppressed. For many, the way to reform is the reexamination and reinterpretation of religious texts. Qu'ran and Woman contributes a gender inclusive reading to one of the most fundamental disciplines in Islamic thought, Qu'ranic exegesis. Wadud breaks down specific texts and key words which have been used to limit women's public and private role, even to justify violence toward Muslim women, revealing that their original meaning and context defy such interpretations. What her analysis clarifies is the lack of gender bias, precedence, or prejudice in the essential language of the Qur'an. Despite much Qu'ranic evidence about the significance of women, gender reform in Muslim society has been stubbornly resisted. Wadud's reading of the Qu'ran confirms women's equality and constitutes legitimate grounds for contesting the unequal treatment that women have experienced historically and continue to experience legally in Muslim communities. The Qu'ran does not prescribe one timeless and unchanging social structure for men and women, Wadud argues lucidly, affirming that the Qu'ran holds greater possibilities for guiding human society to a more fulfilling and productive mutual collaboration between men and women than as yet attained by Muslims or non-Muslims.
peace
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Peace all
I recommend this interesting book
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You can read some good reviews of the book here
http//www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591430046/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=04D6DSMHNEG9MSXCWHET&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
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I also recommend this interesting book
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You can read a review of the book here
http//www.muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?TaxonomyTypeID=106&TaxonomySubTypeID=122&TaxonomyThirdLevelID=-1&ArticleID=1055 -
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The Veil And The Male Elite A Feminist Interpretation Of Women's Rights In Islam
Muhammad was a chief of state who publicly acknowledged the importance of affection and sexuality. He was a polygynous husband whose wives were not just background figures but often shared decision-making with him. According to Moroccan sociologist Mernissi (Beyond the Veil), the founder of Islam asserted the equality of women, rejected slavery and envisioned an egalitarian society. Mernissi further claims that successive Muslim priests manipulated and distorted sacred texts, from the seventh century onward, in an effort to maintain male privileges. Her close textual analyses of the Hadith, or stories of words and deeds attributed to the Prophet, support her far-reaching reinterpretation of the historic roots of Islam and its modern tendency to reduce woman to a "submissive, marginal creature."
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Muhammad and the Believers
by Fred M. DonnerUniversity of Chicago professor Fred Donner presents the intriguing view that the early Islamic movement, as presided over by Muhammad, actively included Jews and Christians in the flock as part of a general monotheistic community. It was only later, after Muhammad's death, that a new generation of Muslims began ritualizing Islam with its own distinctive practices, such as the hajj (pilgrimage) and the five daily prayers...He raises many original points, gleaning evidence from everything from coinage to original source documents. Questioning longstanding stereotypes, he argues (and proves) that Muslims are not, by nature, anti-Jewish and also that, based on archeological evidence, Muslims did not routinely tear down churches. The early Muslims, though brutal in war, created a sophisticated and organized civil system. For those curious about Islam's beginnings, no book is as original and as evenhanded as this succinct read.
http//www.amazon.com/Muhammad-Believers-At-Origins-Islam/dp/0674050975/
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Critical Thinkers for Islamic Reform 2008 A Collection of Articles from Contemporary Thinkers on Islam
Editors Edip Yuksel Arnold Yasin Mol Farouk A Peru
This important book is a collection of writings of more then 30 modern writers on Islam that were present at the 2008 conference bearing the same name. From professional Islamic scholars to individuals writers and thinkers, this collection is unique as a serious collection of 21st century Islamic thought on critical research, reform and renewal in Islamic and Qur'anic interpretation. With diverse subjects on the interpretation and message of the Qur'an and its relation to human rights, freedom and wellfare. History of Islam, society and thought. Modern experience of being a Muslim, the concept of gender and needed actions for reform.
Read the complete book here
http//www.deenresearchcenter.com/LinkClick.aspx?link=CRITICAL+THINKERS+for+ISLAMIC+REFORM+2.pdf&tabid=36&mid=577&language=nl-NL
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Discovering the Qur'an
by Neal RobinsonThe book is written in three parts how the Qur'an is experienced by Muslims as they learn the books by hearts and the importance of calligraphy, the chronology, the relationship between the Qur'an and the earliest biographies of Muhammad and lastly the structure of the Qur'an.
Sometimes it goes into too much detail but for its insights into the subjects it discusses, considering the price, it is a total bargain. From Amazon marketplace it is less than $5 delivered (USA), ?5 delivered UK. Mainly for those interested in a deeper analysis of The Quran, particularly its structure.
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Understanding The Quran Themes and Styles
by Muhammad Abdel HaleemCurrently out of print. Re-print due out soon.
http//www.amazon.com/Understanding-Quran-Themes-Styles-Studies/dp/1860646506/PDF download here
http//www.filedropper.com/understanding-quran-abdel-haleemNoteworthy, is the discussion of the story of "Adam" in The Quran, in comparison to The Bible.
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Understanding The Quran Themes and Styles
by Muhammad Abdel HaleemCurrently out of print. Re-print due out soon.
http//www.amazon.com/Understanding-Quran-Themes-Styles-Studies/dp/1860646506/PDF download here
http//www.filedropper.com/understanding-quran-abdel-haleemNoteworthy, is the discussion of the story of "Adam" in The Quran, in comparison to The Bible.
Peace,
The PDF download does not seem to work.
NB I really appreciate your book recommendations. -
you can try here
http//www.filedropper.com/utasofaq
or www.scribd.com -
Peace
Everyone should consider this website (mentioned by Wakas)
http//www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780415554169/The-Development-of-Exegesis-in-Early-Islam
It is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than amazon on these academic books, which in turn is cheaper than the bookstores.
Worldwide delivery seems to be free too, so useful for non-UK people.
Roshan
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The Hidden History Of The Human Race
by Michael A.Cremo.http//www.sa-ve.ch/images/EHHHR.jpg
This book is the condensed version of the book "Forbidden Archeology". I think this book is highly relevant to islam because it shows us why creationism is a scientific fact. The universe was created by god, not by itself, not by chance. In my opinion, this is the best book ever written about creationism. And in my opinion, it is one of the most important books in this century. The authors of this book, have backed up their ideas with strong arguments. And their arguments are based on solid evidence. In this underground classic, the authours are objective, and they compare the theory of evolution with creationism in the best possible way. This book is a challenge to the theory of evolution. This book is not for the fainthearted. This book will show you that almost everything you know about the history of mankind is a lie. The authours in this book argue that modern human beings (homo sapiens) have existed for more than millions of years.
This is a book for those who are interest in science. The book has less than 400 pages. It is not an easy read. It will take some effort to read this book. So you should only buy it if you are willing to read a book full of facts.
I have written about the book in this thread below. You may wish to read my post
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9601503.msg266252#msg266252
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Some books I recommend, on shelfari
http//www.shelfari.com/o1514169007/shelf#firstBook=0&list=4&sort=author
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http//www.asiaing.com/images/stories/2009/Ecology.being.at.home.jpg
This book is about Ecology and sustainable living. It is one of the best books I have read about Ecology. This book is an easy read, In addition, it is a practical book, full of knowledge, and full of interesting ideas. The book will take you through an exiting Journey. In my opinion this book is very relevant to Islam. It is very relevant to Islam because the Quran teaches us to preserve the environment
Quran 3041
Pollution has appeared in the land and
the sea by the hands of people for what
they earned. He will make them taste
some of what they have done, perhaps
they will revert.Reviews of the book
The best book yet on how to green your lifestyle ?makes the whole subject very clear and understandable.
Permaculture Magazine UK, 2005.The most genially simple and concrete guide to practical ecology out today. Should be spread in massive editions, not the least to children, who easily understand it and who are usually less habit-bound than we adults.
Swedish Library Service 1990.You can read more reviews of the book, and read more about the book in this site
http//www.alternativ.nu/ecologybeginsathome/index.htm
You can download the book for free in this link
http//www.alternativ.nu/ecologybeginsathome/EcologyBeginsAtHome2008.pdf
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Introducing Islam A graphic guide
By Ziauddin Sardarhttp//www.binext.co.kr/cover_img/books/016475.jpg
This a very good book that clears up a lot of misconceptions about Islam. This book is a criticism of Traditional Islam, and shows us that many of the things people know about Islam is wrong. Unfortunately almost everything most people know about islam is from the media. And from their families, relatives, friends, and acquaintances. This book is eye opening, contains radical ideas about islam, and will make you think. In my opinion, it is insightful and it is packed with lots of knowledge about real islam. This book is an easy read. And the authors explain their ideas in a clear, objective, rational and pedagocial way. So the ideas in the book are easy to understand.
Here are some topics that are covered in this book
- Prophet Muhammed
- The history of islam
- The Quran
- Ilm (knowledge)
- Misconceptions about Jihad
- The expansion of islam
- Argumentations and debates.
- The fall of muslim civilization.
- Famous Islamic scientists and their works.
- Islamic science, and its contributions to the western world.
- Islamic Art.
- Orientalism.
- Reform in islam. Islamic reformers.
- Women in islam. Human rights.
- The islamic state (criticism of traditional islamic laws and politics).
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What about Qur'an as a book?
