Maher
Hathout
Islamic
Center of Southern California, 2009
USD 12.95, pages 126
This book is the result of many conversations between Dr. Maher Hathout
and generations of Muslim youth and young adults. The
author’s
narrative about Islam and Muslims with the mixture of his personal life
stories is truly inspirational.
When discussing about guidance from God, the author compares the
concept of gheib in
the Qur'an i.e. which is beyond human perception to the
scientific
concept of infinity. Hence argues that absolute thinking
is unscientific and contradictory to unbiased and progressive thinking
in Islam.
With regard to the events that took place during Prophet
Muhammad’s (Pbuh) lifetime such as Hijra (migration)
and the
way
Meccan embargo on Prophet’s clan was lifted, the author
emphasizes the planning and professionalism that were involved during
the migration and
more notably the help from non-Muslims and their importance in both
these instances without
reducing it to mere supernatural events
as we learnt from other
sources.
The author encourages readers to start learning and actually benefiting
from the Qur’an. He expresses his dismay over the voices of
establishment that wails at the free thinkers who dare to assimilate
Qur’an and come out with the ideas to deliver individuals out
of
darkness to light.
Authenticating, analyzing and properly applying hadith (traditions)
is a vast field
of Islamic Scholarship. When a hadith
is found out to be saheeh (i.e.
sound), then it should mark the beginning and not the end of the
inquiry on how to understand it, which is the author’s
signature
statement in the book.
The author cautions on falling into trap especially in these modern
times that prevents the attainment of full potential of being a Muslim
due to materialism, individualism and the sexual revolution. The
author did not fail to address the environmental issue and the concept
of beauty with respect to art, poetry and music as well.
This book is a wonderful tool and source of information for Muslims and
anyone who would like to know, understand
and explore the dynamics of Islam. This
book
will help contribute positively to our society and to humanity at large. Proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Islamic Center of Southern California.
To purchase, click http://www.islamctr.org/islam2.0.asp
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