Rating: 
Summary: Get study
Review: I am studying the Middle East for school. The report I am doing is on Islam and Muhammad. This book helps clear up some of the inconsistencies that I have found with what happens in Islamic countries and what the press and some books are reporting. In interviewing so called moderate Muslims I have found that they just ignore verses that don't fit with what they think intellectually. Another thing that is not reported is that earlier revelations overrule later ones and that is how the jiad overrules the peaceful verses in the Koran. One important point that overlooked is that the hadith is revered almost as much as the Koran and in there you will see what is thought about women and Muhammad's marriage to a 9 year old, etc. Historically he was definitely not a man of peace. I encourage all seekers of the truth to buy this and read the Koran and Sunnah/hadith for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: A short but excellent book
Review: I'd have preferred more detail and a longer read, but the fellow does bring up a multitude of interesting points, since he does provide a fair number of direct references to Islamic scripture, and he has impeccable and unimpeachable credentials for his background he can't be condemned a "westerner" who has taken things out of context or is misquoting. Although Mr. Gabriel is rather evangelical now, his dreadful past experiences as a intellectually curious Muslim are rock solid evidence that the current evolution of Islam isn't a "religion of peace" at all, bin Laden and co. aren't a fringe of "extremists" but rather merely are the most well known of a much larger number of "fundamentalists." Where the Islamic faith as a whole has a great deal of soul searching to do in order to correct it's stark contradictions and medieval failings, and indeed is in dire need of a pro-peace reformation similar in scope to, if not more drastic than say the Protestant reformation. If the followers of Islam wish to ever find peace and coexistence in the new millennia they must reform, or become the primary catalyst of Armageddon. If they keep on this path of traditional Islamic Jihad well illustrated in this book here, they shall surely experience nothing but misery and face increasing collective global resistance, and in turn will be on the losing side of a number of future wars. Mr. Gabriel recommends a rather extreme answer, simply convert to Christianity and turn away from Islam en masse, I'm uncertain that is practical, or possible, but a conversion of a sort is definitely needed if the middle eastern peoples are to realistically survive beyond this WMD plagued century.
Rating: 
Summary: Read the Bible to know America?
Review: The problem with this book, as with so many other contemporary examinations of Islam and the "conflict" between East and West, is that it shares the kind of idiotic scholarship that would seek to examine American culture through phrases lifted from Deuteronomy. We cannot seek to understand contemporary cultures and conflicts according to a book written hundreds of years ago. The result is horrifying--exactly what one would see if imperialism, depression, and other hallmarks of Western culture were examined thru Biblical psalms. Lest you forget, Iraq, as well as many other nations with a large Muslim population, are incredibly secular. To look at real conflicts we need to be willing to look at real manifestations, not root through a bookshelf to a book (the Koran) seen to wield such a great power over the minds of so many thinking, and often secular, individuals. I urge you to read more balanced critiques, they are out there. Or if you are going to read this, pick up an Edward Said reader--just don't think you are getting some kind of "inside scoop" on Islam. It's absurd to refer to an ancient text to describe contemporary behavior, even if it conveniently fits into the kind of language that makes tasks of "modernization" such an urgent task to our oil-praising politicians.
Rating:
Summary: Why The West Is A Target For Terrorism & Hatred.
Review: Presented by a Professor of Islamic History at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, this book provides the reader with an extremely valuable insight into what the Islamic holy book, the Quran, teaches about Christianity, violence & the goals of the Islamic jihad. We are also imparted with an in depth analysis into the Islamic faith, beliefs and traditions through a book which documents the identification between modern terrorism and Islamic theology. Written in the wake of the September 11th attacks, the book outlines how as a "Christian" society, we in the West have an extremely limited comprehension of what Muslims actually believe and what, if any, agenda the religion of Islam has. At the outset, the contents of the book go to great lengths to point out that "Islam is behind terrorism" and not "Muslims". Readers being encouraged to love individual Muslims but to be aware of what Islam teaches, pointing out that many Muslims themselves are not aware of all that the Islamic faith includes. Muslims being described here as falling into any one of three groups; secular, traditional and fundamental Muslims. Secular Muslims only believing in what they term the "nice" parts of Islam and who reject jihad. Traditional Muslims who have a stumbling block with the concept of Jihad and the latter group of fundamentalists who actually perpetrate the terrorism. More detail of this is included as the book progresses. The book begins with an autobiography detailing the writer's experience and knowledge of Islam and how he came to question his Islamic faith. This is followed by an account of his expulsion from University, his arrest and detention by the Egyptian secret police and his treatment/interrogation. The story extends to his conversion to Christianity and the main body of the book which deals with Islam and associated terrorism. The fundamentals of the Islamic faith are examined initially, with a description of Islam as being a "religion based on work" with "entrance to paradise" having to be earned. Muslims being described as having no "assurance of salvation". The only way of guaranteeing "entrance to paradise" being to die in jihad. What the book describes as the "perfect motive for suicide bombers". Something which is describing as encouraging Muslims to even leave their own nations to fight jihad in other countries. This study illustrates that the focus of jihad is to "overcome" people who do not accept Islam (page 33). A quotation from Surah 4;89 of the Noble Quran stating, "Those who reject Islam must be killed. If they turn back, take them and kill them wherever you find them". Many, many other quotations are taken from the Islamic holy books to substantiate this issue. Many readers may be disturbed by what they read. Indeed, the book proceeds to describe (with suitable references) that the ultimate goal of Islam is to establish Islamic authority over the entire World. The book also revealing what it describes as historical facts about the Islamic prophet Muhammad, his teachings and practices, that few Westerners have ever encountered. The book declares that Islam has been veiled in a vast sea of misinformation since September 11th , with many political and media elements falsely presenting Islam as a "religion of peace". Muslim spokespersons publicly proclaiming such an image are described as distorting the truth to make it palatable to Western ears and also with a view to attracting possible converts. Many Islamic leaders being cited here as each doing their part for jihad by deceiving the Western populace through the media, achieving the desired effect upon public opinion. We are also presented with Muhammad's own example of jihad and how others were encouraged to follow him. The ultimate goal of Islam is also examined. Mawlana Abul Ala Mawdudi, the founder of Pakistan's fundamentalist Islamic movement is quoted as saying that Islam is not like the other religions in the World and Muslim nations not like other nations, because Muslim nations have a command from Allah to "rule the entire World and to be over every nation in the World". (Page 81). The book takes the reader on what it describes as a guided tour through 1,200 years of Islamic history where examples are illustrated that "justify" the killing of even women and children. The evolution of Islamic terrorism is also studied and how it has been brought to the West. The book describing how Islamic terrorism is no longer so intent upon targeting diplomatic figures or individuals, as random attacks upon the general public are more effective, as they terrorize the majority and spread fear in a larger way. Terrorism shown to have become a method of "political debate & dialogue". The depth of the Islamic hatred of Israel, the US, the West, Christianity and Judaism all being mentioned. The contents of this work also show that Muslims believe that "war means deception" and that lying is justified and indeed an important element of war in Islam. How this crucially affects countries dealing with Islamic nations in relation to so called "peace agreements" is also studied. The book describes how difficult it is for the Western public to accept and understand such a mind-set. I would respectfully recommend another book by Mark Gabriel entitled "Islam and the Jews; The Unfinished Battle". Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: worth a look
Review: Okay, real quick. The intent of this book is not to give the neophyte a full and complete understanding of Islam as a religion or the philosophies of the Koran. The intent is to illustrate the FACT that Islam is not a religion of peace. Every word is true and provides reference to the Koran for coroberation. It does, however, only provide one side of the story. As I stated earlier this book is not for the uninformed, you CANNOT read this book and believe that this is the foundation of Islam. P.S. The idea that these Middle Eastern, predominately Islamic countries are "Primarily Secular" is absolutely ridiculous.
Rating: 
Summary: An authoritative look at the true Islam
Review: Wow. In this book, former Muslim Mark Gabriel lays the facts about the true nature of Islam on the table. Gabriel used to be a professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, so he knows what he's talking about. In the beginning of the book, he describes in vivid detail his escape from Islam and from Egypt after being convinced that Islam was in fact a false religion--not knowing yet what the true religion might be. He describes the tortures and punishments he went through as it became known that the famous professor from Al-Azhar had defected. Gabriel explains that jihad and terrorism are part and parcel of true Islam, and that it is a politically-correct media caricature to think of Islam as a "religion of peace." It is not. The terrorists and jihad fighters are not extremists or fanatics. They are the true Muslims, all the others having accepted a watered-down Westernized version of Islam. Gabriel gives the reader insights into the Koran and what it says, and he explains why or how it is possible for the Koran to say at one point that Muslims should be nice to the Christians, and at other times that they must torture and kill them. Given Gabriel's background as a former Muslim professor of Islamic history, this book is a bombshell because it is so authoritative. Here we have a former INSIDER of Islam who knows the true connections between Islam and jihad, the Muslim faith and terrorism. He is politically incorrect because he does not play the game of "the terrorists are extremist fanatics" but rather shows that "the terrorists are true followers of their religion." The goal of Islam is the domination of the world. They want all countries on this planet to be governed by Allah, where only the Islamic rule is tolerated. Infidels must either be converted or die, so that the only people alive will be servants of Allah. Any so-called Muslims that do not will this are not true Muslims. That is what Mark Gabriel relates in this book, and he proves his points very well. Gabriel, now a Baptist, also has a section on "Muslims and the Good News" in his book. Because he is a Protestant, however, there are countless theological errors in his book about Christianity, and I cannot recommend what he puts forth as the true Christian Gospel. Therefore, the reader is best served by ignoring what Gabriel presents as Christianity. As far as the primary purpose of the book is concerned, however (namely, understanding and getting inside of Islam and terrorism), all I can say is TWO THUMBS UP! The book is exciting and easy to read. It is even a page-turner at times. Must-read for anyone who thinks that Islamic terrorism around the world has nothing to do with *true* Islam.
Rating:
Summary: Real information about Islam from an authoritative source!
Review: Finally, some in-depth (and much needed) information on Islam, and it comes from an authoritative source. Dr. Mark A. Gabriel has experienced Islam in its true form, and shares about his experiences in this outstanding book. He also speaks about the background of Islam, and as an ex-Muslim and former professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University, he knows his stuff. Al-Azhar University is known to be the foremost center of theology in Islam and the oldest continuously practicing university in the world. This book shares some things about Islam that I have not encountered in my research on this religion; things that are not shared in the media in general, and again, it comes from a qualified authority on Islam. He also discusses why he converted from Islam to Christianity, and the horrorible persecution and attemps on his life which he experienced before coming to the US. The documentation in this book is good, although I'd like to see it a little more specific, for example, when a hadith (narration about the life of the Prophet or of what he approved) is given, I'd like to see the book and volume number, instead of just the book. Other than that, I'm more than satisfied with the documentation. The history Dr. Gabriel gives on Islam is detailed but definitely not boring, and it's not heavy reading either. He shows us how it all relates to us today, which is something I found very useful. I take the book with me nearly everywhere I go, to read and re-read. It's very useful information. The information he presents on Christianity is representative of what Christianity is about and is accurate. What most struck me about this book is the love he has for Muslims and his fellow countrymen. This isn't a book that bashes Muslims or Islam; it's a book that invites the reader to -fully- understand Islam and what the Qur'an really teaches in context. This is a definite must-have. Get ready to take lots of notes!
Rating:
Summary: Same old junk!
Review: Unlike other writers such Bernard Lewis and John Esposito, this writers gives his own interpretation of Islam. He constantly brags about himself being from Al-Azhar University (as if this would somehow make his interpretations more superior). He is not a mufti(unsurprisingly) nor do I think anyone with such a one-sided view of himself should be a mufti. His story isn't any different from other anti-Islamic writers. He twists and turns everything. Same old junk. He simply thinks we should ignore all past and current scholar interpretations(like ibn kathir, yusef al-qaradawi) and accept his! Everyone else is wrong and he's right. Thank God he's not a ruler. I would've had my head cut off. There are plenty of books out there that give an authentic view of Jihad in Islam. For example, I would recommend "Jihad vs. Terrorism" by Dr. Maher Hathout. Unlike Mark Gabriel, all of Hathout's claims come straight from the Quran. Also, "Even Angels Ask" by Jeffrey Lang is a superb enlightening book.
Rating:
Summary: Mark Knows What He is Talking About, of course!
Review: I find Mark Gabriel's Book very informative and useful. It is full of facts from the Quran, though. He should know, being educated as a Muslim hafizun, and then proceeding to teach there in Al-Azhar, Egypt, himself. The dissenting Muslims here who voice their objections are angry because one their fellow Muslims has exposed Islam for what IT TRULY IS! That in itself is a measure of their intolerance and narrow-mindedness! Does Islam or the Quran promote enlightened thought, then?? OF COURSE Not! Many Muslims are waking up to this fact every day, and many have abandoned Islam as a truly contemporary religion.
Rating:
Summary: Read the Bible to know America?
Review: The problem with this book, as with so many other contemporary examinations of Islam and the "conflict" between East and West, is that it shares the kind of idiotic scholarship that would seek to examine American culture through phrases lifted from Deuteronomy. We cannot seek to understand contemporary cultures and conflicts according to a book written hundreds of years ago. The result is horrifying--exactly what one would see if imperialism, depression, and other hallmarks of Western culture were examined thru Biblical psalms. Lest you forget, Iraq, as well as many other nations with a large Muslim population, are incredibly secular. To look at real conflicts we need to be willing to look at real manifestations, not root through a bookshelf to a book (the Koran) seen to wield such a great power over the minds of so many thinking, and often secular, individuals. I urge you to read more balanced critiques, they are out there. Or if you are going to read this, pick up an Edward Said reader--just don't think you are getting some kind of "inside scoop" on Islam. It's absurd to refer to an ancient text to describe contemporary behavior, even if it conveniently fits into the kind of language that makes tasks of "modernization" such an urgent task to our oil-praising politicians.
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