- No god but God
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For the holy Islamic phrase "No god but God", see Shahada.
No god but God 
Reza Aslan, the author, pictured in October 2007Author(s) Reza Aslan Country United States Language English Genre(s) Non-fiction Publisher Random House Publication date March 15, 2005 Media type Print Pages 310 pages ISBN 1-4000-6213-6 OCLC Number 56367491 Dewey Decimal 297 22 LC Classification BP161.3 .A79 2005 No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam (ISBN 1-4000-6213-6) is a 2005 non-fiction book written by Iranian-American Shiite Muslim scholar Reza Aslan. The book describes the history of Islam and argues for a liberal interpretation of the religion. It blames Western imperialism and self-serving misinterpretations of Islamic law by past scholars for the current controversies within Islam,[1] challenging the 'clash of civilizations' thesis.[2]
According to journalist Reihan Salam, the book has received a favorable response within the Muslim world.[3] The book was chosen 'Best Book of the Year' in its category by The Financial Times, and favorite reviews have appeared in publications such as The Los Angeles Times[4] and The New York Times.[5]
Contents
Contents
Each chapter of the book covers a specific topic within Islam. For example, one chapter is entirely dedicated to the issue of jihad.[6] Overall, the book covers the history of Islam from the point of view of the Prophet Muhammad as a social reformer struggling for egalitarianism between people. It argues that the Koran does not order the veiling of women and that the concept of jihad was intended to be solely defensive. Aslan focuses primarily on the early practices of Islam, but he also discusses life within the Abbasid Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and in the modern Muslim World.[1]
One of the central themes is that an internal battle is currently taking place within Islam between individualistic reform ideals and the traditional authority of Muslim clerics. Aslan states that this situation is parallel to that of the 16th-century reformation in Christianity, which was as old as Islam currently is at that period.[2] He writes,
the notion that historical context should play no role in the interpretation of the Koran – that what applied to Muhammad's community applies to all Muslim communities for all time – is simply an untenable position in every sense.[5]Reception
The book was chosen 'Best Book of the Year' in its category by The Financial Times. The Los Angeles Times dubbed it a “favorite book of the year”.[4] Journalist Fareed Zakaria called the book "a textured, nuanced account that presents a living, breathing religion shaped by centuries of history and culture." Professor and author Noah Feldman called it "[e]legant, accessible, and informed by historical scholarship" and "a wonderful view into the rich world of early Islam."[7] A scholarly review in International Journal of Kurdish Studies reported that "Such clarity is a welcome and refreshing antidote to the endless obfuscations that emanate from partisans on both sides of the issue."[6]
Also, Muslim journalist Reihan Salam called the book "fascinating", and he has said that he considers it to be one of the most important books of the decade.[3] The New York Review of Books wrote that "[o]ne of the achievements of Reza Aslan's book is that it gives Islam as much internal complexity and diversity as the concepts 'the West' and 'America' possess in our eyes".[2] The New York Times gave a favorable review, describing it as a "wise and passionate book". It stated that:
His arguments for reintroducing rationalism, for accepting the utility of secularization and for contextualizing the historical understanding of the faith all put him in distinguished company among contemporary Muslims.[5]Nikki R. Keddie, an author and professor emerita of history at UCLA, gave a mixed review of the book in The Washington Post. She contends that Aslan's book is "one of the most readable" and that Aslan presents "a liberal and optimistic view of Islam." She states that Aslan sometimes relies on doubtful sources (hadith), and that while he acknowledges the gender inequalities in the Qur'an, he minimizes them. And finally, Aslan gives the most space to Islam's early era, for which the documentation is relatively less. Overall, Keddie stated that "Aslan provides a lively, enjoyable and mostly accurate picture, but parts of the book are shaky."[1] The book also received mixed reviews from "The Independent" stating that the book is "a fascinating guide" for non-Muslim readers.[8] The Guardian published a negative review, stating that "Aslan's account of early Islam is too literalist" and "Shia sects and some of their more esoteric beliefs have little to do with Islamic theology." It concluded that liberal Islam as Aslan sees it is only a "phase and it will pass".[9]
In September 2011, blogger and law professor Glenn Reynolds named the book in his frequent "IN THE MAIL" segment of book reccomendations.[10]
Promotion
According to The Mercury News, the book turned its author into "a minor celebrity on the cable news circuit".[11] Aslan has spoken about the book across the world.[3] He has appeared on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher on September 22, 2006, to talk about the book.[12]
See also
- Liberal movements within Islam
- Clash of civilizations, a concept Aslan wrote the book to try to refute
References
- ^ a b c Keddie, Nikki R. (April 7, 2005). "Taking History on Faith". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32729-2005Apr6.html. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ^ a b c Author of No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam to speak on campus. Stanford University press release. Published October 20, 2006. Accessed May 7, 2009.
- ^ a b c God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror. Bloggingheads.tv Recorded April 10, 2009. Posted April 28, 2009.
- ^ a b Kornell, Sam (January 19, 2006). "One World One God". The Santa Barbara Independent. http://www.independent.com/news/2006/jan/19/one-world-one-god/. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
- ^ a b c Rodenbeck, Max (May 29, 2005). "'No god but God': The War Within Islam". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/29/books/review/29RODENBE.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ^ a b Shasha, David (January 2002). "No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam". International Journal of Kurdish Studies. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0SBL/is_1-2_19/ai_n15340018/.
- ^ Aslan, Reza (March 15, 2005). No god but God. Random House. pp. (Back Cover). ISBN 1400062136.
- ^ "No God but God: Visions of an Islamic Reformer". "The Independent'". 27 October 2005. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/no-god-but-god-by-reza-aslan-752391.html. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ "Waiting for an Islamic Enlightenment". The Guardian. 22 October 2005. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2005/oct/22/highereducation.islam. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
- ^ http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/
- ^ Kelly, Kevin (May 8, 2009). "Book review: 'How to Win a Cosmic War'". The Mercury News. http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_12324308. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
- ^ September 22, 2006. tv.com Accessed May 7, 2009.
External links
Categories:- Shi'a literature
- 2005 books
- Books about civilizations
- Books about ideologies
- Islamic studies books
- American non-fiction books
- Books about Iran
- Books about the Middle East
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