Rating: 
Summary: Great read
Review: I read this book at a time, when I was debating the importance, or the relative uselessness, of ethics in a person's life. Asma Hasan does a beautiful job of explaining the basic reasoning behind Islam's ethics code. She also does well in introducing the more mystic, Sufi tradition within Islam.
There are however, a few glaring errors of judgement on her part and some that she could definitely have avoided. If the reader is looking for a balanced view of Islam and the way it is practised in the world, you are bound to be disappointed. In the case of Amina Lawal, she chooses to highlight technicalities (stoning versus flogging, or the availability of witnesses), while missing the bigger picture -- which is that the law is necessarily draconian and is prone to misinterpretation and exploitation.
Also, the Quran, to any Muslim, is the true and pure word of God. Any attempt to justify it by comparing it to human logic, like the American constitution, seems like an exercise in vanity. If humans could come up with the same code of ethics and morals as God did, why bother with the holy book?
I'm probably nitpicking here. In the end, I have to admit that the book was thoroughly enjoyable. Asma opens up to the reader very naturally, and her simple language seems to be a reflection of her own nature, becalming and guileless. She is articulate, persuasive and sharp and it is mighty hard not to like her.
A great primer for those who are lured by the great religion.
Rating: 
Summary: One Who has Chosen Goodness, and John Coltrane
Review: Ignorance is killing the American experience.Going a long way in bringing some light and truth of the Islamic part of the equation is Asma Hasan in her book Why I am a Muslim (WIAAM). A self-described American-Muslim feminist cow-girl, Asma, who through exercising the everyday freedoms our growing up in this country allows discovered ijtihad (independent thought) along the way, and in her life study, never took looking back seriously enough to miss a forward beat - generating inspiration to and from, well for one, that infectious Sufi source, cutting through the disunity with an Islamic message that is both Qur'anic and personal. Although the usually Muslim-bashing nominals love her non-threatening demeanor, that doesn't take away from the fact that Asma Hasan (herself) is operating independent of the psychosis-driven re-creationalists. Seeking approval from other than God Alone defines the aforementioned psychosis. Asma is a kind of self-help-book writer who can say do-as-I-say because what she is saying is so universally true and free enough of polemics the reader can "hear" what she's really saying. While you read what she says enough space is left between the notes set alongside her bass lines, as a way of saying it, to "hear" what your own heart tells you. Who can be more trusted than one who has chosen goodness? Ordinary Americans, life-long Muslims and stick-in-the-muds alike can learn something here. Asma has told the WIAAM story without imposing preconceived and irrelevant notions dredged up by mullahs, clerics, sheiks, ayatollahs or imams, and has said about God only what she knows. In Why I am a Muslim, Asma sums up the why in seven reasons; each her lifetime experience as one, and as perfect as the way it is simply because God's will is God's Will; because Islam (as a commitment to peace) is a conscious contact with God experience; because the dynamics of Sufi Islam (today) actualizes the spirituality of the rich Monotheistic mythology, and the 1,400 year history of what we know Islam to be; because the Merciful is also the Mercy-giving; because in the Unity of God there is a perfect place for diversity among the Ummah; because Islam is a woman's religion, and because Islam is an American religion. WIAAM carries two especially profound messages: 1. Al-Qur'an is a blueprint for what would become our American Bill of Rights, with liberty and justice for all - that includes a freedom of religion and a freedom from religion clause; the protection of religious minorities. "There [should be] no compulsion in religion." [Qur'an 2:256], and 2. Islam is a woman's religion. While it caused me to laugh out loud when I first read it, Asma is quite correct in what she says. The Prophet was indeed a husband and a father. How then, for the sake of peace could Islam have not been a woman's religion too? Women who know al-Qur'an and Islamic law (al-Shariah), know their rights, and woe be unto any man who in the name of Muslim traditions would attempt to deprive those women of their (as) God-given rights. What we get from Asma is an interpretation of Islam derived from
al-Qur'an, and filtered through the American (at our Bill of Rights best) experience. Islam (peace) is the key to the kind of freedom as we live everyday in the USA, and is also what Why I am a Muslim is about. Asma's "story" is written-out as an (Asma's word) "inspired" Jazz-like composition; a light and soft touch but with a deep feeling of passion and commitment. The recitals (solos) which Asma refers to (in Islam) as the "read" (iqra), is the dynamic the Prophet tapped into in reciting the words that became al-Qur'an. In submitting wholly to the will of God, the Prophet recited what God would have him say. Jesus ('Isa), the Word of God, spoke what God said through him. Amazing. The words in WIAAM are as petals, so spontaneously and meticulously arranged within the John Coltrane-like bass lines that range from A Love Supreme when she's talking about the Sufi, to My Favorite Things when she's talking about Fat Greek-like Weddings - with traditional costumes and music to match; her mum and her aunties' stories (and influence) are interwoven all through the text, and her father's consistent attitude and good advice, and so on, just right. Asma shows us something too in answering negative remarks made about Muslims in the post-911 era with variations of "Islam is a neat, interesting, (and) cool religion." Why I am a Muslim is a fun and smart read. -- dxm
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT INFO
Review: Just bought book based upon cover, great picture!
Pleasant style. Just like a short story.
You leave the rest to dust.
Job well done. Youn KU Punte Hills CA
Rating: 
Summary: Not Far Enough
Review: Ms. Hasan has tried to put a human face on Islam but,except for a few glowing reports, her own religious cohorts are unwilling to allow her to express any corralation between the ideals of a free and democratic society and Islam. One response to her post, someone from "paradise" aka India-insists that only Islam will bring the world to high place of ethics and morality. Will this be before or after we discuss the atrocities committed by the followers of Islam in India itself, the genocide in Armenia (1898-1915) or the palestistinian bus bombers of today.
Ms.Hasan should be more honest and explain why Islam is unable to stop the abuse of honor killings,child labor and poverty in such places as the peoples paradise of India. Is it possible that Islam is a terribly flawed system of belief based upon a prophet who spoke of peace but never found it himself?
Rating:
Summary: Muslim Princess Speaks For Her Kingdom
Review: the amount of vitriol directed against someone who is attempting to present a human, liberal, female interpretation of islam is staggering.
Whilst i agree that the earlier bogus reviews was a bit transparent i admire asma's strength and guts to stand up and be heard. too many times muslim women are relegated to the shadows, the background, hushed, cajoled and screamed down- everything from their clothes, 'credibility' and very person attacked.
this to me shows a unfair double standard that our society reserves for women leaders. religion is fluid, it has to mould itself to new concerns, and the changing world. as a young muslim woman myself i'm sick to death of being preached to by half-baked illiterate misogynistic men who's idea of solving the world's problems is for wives to be obedient to men and cry down the evil's of the west.
where is the courage of these snide critics who are obviously suffering a major case of schaenfraude, in crying down those men who interpretations result in untold pain and suffering.
Women are human. we've fought too hard to get where we are and we're going to use the space offered in this western atmosphere to be who we are. why should we have to give up our faith too?
think about it asma could have easily gona down the route of those elite pakistani kids- instead she's decided to do something meaningful, enage in debate, devote herself to ideas. i wish though she would not succumb to the temptation of consumerism and marketing herself in this competitive world. you have the talent, ppl will respect you for your ideas!!!
we're going to tread the path paved before us by the great women of the ages hadrat aisha, khadija, the mystic rabia to step up into our own greatness, claim our birth right, rise and be heard!!!! POWER TO THE WOMEN!!
Rating:
Summary: Story of Muslim girl growing up in the USA
Review: There is much more to this book then being a Muslim. It tells you what to do if teachers tell you that your child cannot learn.
The book takes you to a journey in India and you learn about the Taj Mahal.
Book will explain all the cults within Islam.
Tells you about Sufism.
Stories about the Blue spots on the Mongolian babies to Hindu influence on Islam which has led widows to avoid participation in social functions.
This book answers a lot of Mystery.
I think this book will become required teaching in all schools. This is the best book I have read about Islam. At last a educated person writes something which enlightens. Asma stands up against the Whabi elements .
Excellent work a must reading for all of USA and Muslim women in particular.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and Positive!
Review: This book presents a cogent and compelling journey to validate the Islamic faith of an American Muslim. It is nice to have such a refreshing voice representing an underexposed part of Islam and also something to fully identify with as an American Muslim!
I did have an issue with the idea that Islam has been inhibited by pre-Islamic Arab culture and traditions (p. 149). I wouldn't single out Arab traditions since I believe Islam (including Islamic law and certainly Islamic culture and politics) has accumulated many traditions from various parts of the world including Arab, Byzantine, Persian, Turkish, Mongol, Berber, and African, some that have hindered it and some that have advanced it. But the general idea that Muslims living in America can offer a valuable perspective on Islam freed from some heavy baggage of historical traditions is a point well taken.
I was also struck by the author's intriguing views on secularism. The argument for or against the separation of church and state is bypassed altogether by saying that since Islam never even established a church, the question is moot (p. 31). This is quite ingenious and refreshing, although I still think that any argument on secularism to gain practical acceptance has to take into account such concepts as the caliphate and Islamic law (Shariah). I must admit that I am still grappling with this difficult issue but have started to formulate a systematic view of an Islamic democracy.
The author's views on salvation are just as intriguing. It is unequivocally stated that salvation is not restricted to Muslims (pp. 100-104). Even though I think it has to be acknowledged that many if not most Muslims do not hold her view, I think she is absolutely right. The Quran does say that what counts is believing and doing right regardless of the name of one's religion (II:62, etc). I had forgotten that Islam simply means surrendering to the Will of God and it is in this spirit that Prophets like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all) are all called Muslims by the Quran. I thank her for putting it in such clear and unambiguous terms. It is this universal spirit of the Prophet and the Quran that has been an importance source of faith for me.
The book cover apparently has become such an issue! Well, I would simply like to say that I believe that the Quran allows for some display of beauty (zina) with a modicum of decorum as expressed in XXIV:31. I could never understand how such things as the Saudi abaya and the Afghan burka could be justified since they allow for no display of any beauty at all, let alone the uncovering of the eyes just to see where one is going! I think the book cover is in the Quranic spirit, and the author is showing her beauty with taste and refinement.
Finally, the sections on Sufism sprinkled with passages from Sufi poets like Hafiz and Rumi and others were truly inspiring. I think the author has hit the mark with her observations on Sufism being the loving heart of Islam as opposed to the stagnant legalisms and putrid politics that many Muslims are fixated on. I also simply enjoyed in a Zen and Sufi way the funny personal anecdotes related in the book.
So I heartily recommend this book since it will stimulate a fresh discussion on same basic views of Islam (one thing we Muslims have to learn is the spirit of self-critical debate in an atmosphere of freedom of expression) and because it presents a refreshing and positive view to help counter the terrible image of Islam that comes in these days of global terrorism.
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