Those who practice the Muslim faith have resisted examinations of their religion. They are extremely guarded about their religion, and what they consider blasphemous acts by skeptical Muslims and non-Muslims alike has only served to pique the world's curiosity. This critical examination reveals an unflattering picture of the faith and its practitioners. Nevertheless, it is the truth something that has either been deliberately concealed by modern scholars or buried in obscure journals accessible only to a select few. ". . . a courageous and prophethic call to value and protect human rights, especially the rights of women." National Catholic Reporter "The problem with a book such as this is that it will most likely never reach those most in need of it. How many libraries will stock it, or dare stock it if they knew its contents?" The New Humanist ". . . transcends The Satanic Verses in terms of sacrilege. Where Rushdie offered an elusive critique of Islam in an airy tale of magical realism, Ibn Warraq brings a scholarly sledgehammer to the task of demolishing Islam. Such an act, especially for an author of Muslim birth, is so incendiary that the author must write under a pseudonym; not to do so would be an act of suicide" The Weekly Standard " . . . a completely compelling case for the conclusion that Islam is flatly incompatible with the establishment and maintenance of the equal individual rights and liberties of a liberal, democratic, secular state." Salisbury Review "Ibn Warraq has done for Islam what Bertrand Russell did for Christianity, but at much greater personal risk. . . . His [fate] would be that of Salman Rushdie's were he to reveal his true name rather than the pseudonym he uses. This book is must reading for all who would understand the possibilities and the dangers of affirming multi-culturalism in today's world." The Human Quest "At long last a writer has risen to the challenge posed by this religion of compulsion. He has put together in one book all the objectionable rules of Islam, and has made it into one of the best books about Islam that I have seen in many years. We must be extremely grateful to Ibn Warraq for his revealing book." Humanist in Canada http://www.prometheusbooks.com
In the past century, the quest for the historical Jesus and the sources of Christian beliefs has become a growth industry. Unfortunately, there has been relatively scant historical research into the sources of Islamic belief and the character of Muhammad. The few historians who have ventured into that field have generally accepted traditional accounts of Muhammad's life and of his direct authorship of the basic tenets of the Koran. Warraq, who is clearly skeptical of that view, has compiled a revisionist anthology that questions many of the basic assumptions about early Islam. Some essays question Muhammad's authorship of the Koran, and others deny key "historical" facts about his life. Warraq provides a detailed description of sources and definitions of key terms; however, this is a technical, scholarly collection that will challenge and perhaps overwhelm nonspecialists. For those with a strong interest and background in Islamic studies, this work is a provocative and necessary read. --Jay Freeman http://www.ala.org/booklist/v96/adult/fe2/13quest.html
No picture available This volume rejects the notion that Islam's sacred text is error free and cannot be critically evaluated. The study of the Koran must develop and mature. Scholars of Islam are of course familiar with the book's many errors and contradictions, but these inherent flaws have rarely been revealed to a wider public. The Origins of the Koran is an attempt to remedy this deficiency by bringing together classic critical essays which raise key issues surrounding Islam's holy book. Divided into four parts, this important anthology begins with Theodor Noldeke's first truly scientific study of the Koran. Part Two focuses on the difficulty of establishing a reliable Koranic text, while Part Three examines the Jewish, Christian, and Zoroastrian sources of Muhammad's "revelation." Part Four is a consideration of the controversial interpretations of contemporary scholar John Wansbrough, who questions the historical reliability of the earliest Islamic sources. This superb collection, which includes additional selections from Salim Ali, Leone Caetani, Arthur Jeffrey, David Margoliouth, C.C. Torrey, and more, will prove indispensable to scholars and all those interested in the textual underpinning of one of the fastest growing religions in the world. Ibn Warraq is the author of Why I'm Not a Muslim. http://www.prometheusbooks.com Purchase The Origins of the Koran: Classic Essays on Islam's Holy Book from Amazon.com
Thanks to www.secularislam.org
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