The Hadj: An American's Journey to Mecca

Rating:
Summary: Describes Religious Pilgrimage, but Contains Little Religion
Review: As a recent convert to Islam, I can only imagine what it would feel like to stand in the Great Mosque in Mecca with the hundreds of thousands of other pilgrims. Wolfe had this opportunity, but unfortunately, he did not sufficiently express his religious/spiritual impressions in the book. His writing style was a bit too objective and detached. It appeared that he carried the initial uneasyness he felt in Morocco (i.e. when he was afraid to enter the mosque) throughout the entire trip. However, I do applaud the honesty with which he described his religious upbringing and why he decided to become a Muslim.

Rating:
Summary: Enriching book!
Review: In this book Michael Wolfe, an American convert to Islam has described his personal Hadj to Makkah beautifully. The pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, that is a principal religious obligation of adult Muslims. He has described the Hadj in steps, ritual by ritual and by giving their meanings, as well as his own thoughts, ideas, emotions..etc at that point in time.

His journey starts from Morocco, where he went before Hadj, to gain some knowledge and to live in the Islamic environment. He has given a lot of information about Moroccon people, their life, culture and relationship with each other. He gives a lot of information about Muslim people and their culture in general, such as Brotherhood in Islam for example. Where ever he went he was accepted as one of the family member - a brother. This he says was one of the beautiful things that Islam has gives to people and which is specific to Muslims only, which Malcolm X has noticed too when he made his own Hadj.

I bought this book because I wanted to know, a Westerner's opinion on Islamic topics such as Hadj, from Western perspective.

I must say this book was a wonderful read for me, and I am sure it will be the same for you.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ for all!!!
Review: Michael Wolfe has outdone himself in the writing of "The Hadj".

He takes you to the streets of Marrakech, Mecca and Medina. The writing style is exquisite. He really gives you insight on what to expect while on the Hadj.

I actually felt like I was there, on his journey; so descriptive and such a detailed accounting of his surroundings.

I finsihed the book in less than a week and each time I put it down, I could not wait to pick it up and start reading again.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to everyone!! A real treat!



Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Micheal Wolfe is indeed a storyteller. This book is interesting yet educational. This is good for everyone interested in travel and Islam. This is simply excellent!