Good book about Islam - literature or history or philosophy

[Anonymous]

I'm in a book group and would love to propose a book that helps us understand Islam better. I realize that's ridiculously broad, but wondering if anyone has a favorite recommendation or two.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever just read the Quran? The most common translation is probably Yusuf Ali.

If you come from another Abrahamic tradition and want to see the connections, Karen Armstrong's "A History of God" is acclaimed.

I'm a fan of Reza Aslan's books. He's very smart but his books are approachable (Harvard educated, but a regular on the Daily Show, Colbert Report) has a history with both Christianity and Islam (I believe he was born Muslim, converted to Christianity for a while, then returned to Islam - but is married to a Christian). Check out his "No God but God."

[Anonymous]

Also to add, yeah, Islam is very broad. Whether you want history, contemporary politics, feminist/social issues, etc, can lead you down a bunch of different literary rabbit holes. Not to mention the vast geography nuances (Mid East, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, etc)

[Anonymous]

Islam, A Short History, by Karen Armstrong

[Anonymous]

Ibn Warraq "Why I am not a Muslim". I read quaran in several different translations in English and in three other foreign languages. But this book was an eye opener. Great for the book club discussion!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ibn Warraq "Why I am not a Muslim". I read quaran in several different translations in English and in three other foreign languages. But this book was an eye opener. Great for the book club discussion!

You should read it along with the one that gave him the idea to write the book to understand the problems fully.

[Anonymous]

The Quran: With or Against the Bible?: A Topic-by-Topic Review for the Investigative Mind

[Anonymous]

In Search of Zarathustra: The First Prophet and the Ideas That Changed the World

[Anonymous]

I second the recommendation for Reza Aslan's "No god but God."

[Anonymous]

Reza Aslan is intellectually dishonest. He distorts and misrepresent the position if opponents.

[Anonymous]

Ban religion. Religion is the root of all evil.

[Anonymous]

Ibn Tufayl's Hayy ibn Yaqzan (in translation).

This is a philosophical novel written in the 12th century about a feral child who comes to understand God, and, eventually the pitfalls of blind faith, while acknowledging the roles it plays for the masses. Ibn Tufayl was an Andalusian philosopher, theologian, physician, and astronomer who also served as vizier.

It includes the first autopsy described in a novel and is said to have been the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe. It also was influential on European philosophers of the Enlightenment.

http://www.amazon.com/Ibn-Tufayls-Hayy-Yaqzan-Philosophical/dp/0226303101

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ban religion. Religion is the root of all evil.

Atheist here. Even Hitchens wouldn't ban religion. To paraphrase him, people can play with these toys in private, but are not to make me play with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ban religion. Religion is the root of all evil.

FFS you're a very shallow person!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ibn Warraq "Why I am not a Muslim". I read quaran in several different translations in English and in three other foreign languages. But this book was an eye opener. Great for the book club discussion!

You should read it along with the one that gave him the idea to write the book to understand the problems fully.

I thought OP was asking about Islam, not Christianity. Reading comprehension?