On Being a Muslim: Finding a Religious Path in the World Today

by Farid Esack

Book Overview

A personal account of Muslim life in the modern world and the trials it raises Funny, challenging, controversial, passionate and unforgiving, this is an unprecedented personal account of a Muslim's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1851681469
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Oneworld Publications
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

An excellent, thoughtful perspective on Islam

I cannot recommend Farid Esack's deeply personal, very human account of his struggle to reclaim the humanistic and radical message of Islam enough. As a left-orientated, deeply committed sufi muslim, I was kept enthralled by views so close in spirit to my own. Even if you disagree with Farid Esack's perspective, his personal sincerity and long development are worthy of reading about in themselves. I however agree with him wholeheartedly on almost everything. A wonderful book by a very sincere man.

Just what we all need to read now

Esack's book is the best book I have read that deals with what it means to be a Muslim in the 21st century. He paints a picture of Islam as a faith that profoundly influences the life of the believer and at the same time he is frank about all the dilemmas and uncertainties that like every other human being Muslims face. It is this attitude of honest self-criticism combined with a real sense of reverence for Islam that makes this book unique.

a thoughtful and sometimes crazy cleric

Farid Esack's "On Being a Muslim" is a thoughtful examination of the complex issues that face Muslims in the contemporary world. His unexpectedly candid discussion about issues of faith, gender, religious authority, political activism, and other critical issues serves a badly neglected area of Islamic books in English: honest and critical thoughts on Islam and being Muslim in a crazy world. The positions he defends are more often than not "liberal" as opposed to "orthodox", yet he argues rationally, clearly, and with a refreshing dose of humor. I would recommend this book to all Muslims who aren't afraid of asking questions that may not have easy answers.

On being a human

This is a very interesting and a compelling work.While itdiscusses issues in a Islamic framework I believe that it is moreabout humanity and being human in a world divided by rules made by humans. I would strongly recommend reading it. But know that the author tries to tell you that so-called religions are only ways to realizing your humanity and reaching your ultimate destination and should be treated as such and nothing else. No one way by this reasoning can be right or wrong.