Customer Reviews
The Ignorance that Ignorance produces - By: Roshan, 16 Jun 2008 
First of all, I would like to make it quite clear that I have no problem with Irshad Manji publishing this book. God statesin the Quran that there is no compulsionin the system as per the Quran 2:256 , "There is no compulsionin the system; the proper way has been made clear from the wrong way. Whoever rejects evil, & believesin God, then he has grasped the most solid branch that will never break. God is Hearer, Knower."
Second of all, I would like to make it known my position on Islam. In this I differ from many, but my position is backed up by the Quran, not by narrations from other than the author of the Quran (and I believe this to be God). In summary, I believe as per 18:54 `And We have clarifiedin this Qur'an for the people from every example; but mankind was always most argumentative'. I do not accept other than the Quran as a source of religious law. I believe it to be an amazing book, but a book which has been denigrated primarily by those claiming the name of Islam through made-up narrations which they claim to have been made by the Prophet Muhammad & a second source of lawin `Islam'. Not only are these narrations themselves backward illogical & contradictory to the Quran, but they also encourage their adherants to look at the Quranin an intolerant & illogical way (in order to justify their narrations). The Quran forbids anything else besides it to be taken as a source of religious law:
45:6 These are the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, which We recite to you (O Muhammad SAW) with truth. Thenin which speech (HADEETH) after Allâh & His Ayât will they believe?
As for her book:
Irshad Manji is a Muslim everyone. She is a lesbian Muslim & she wants everyone to know. Muslims are backward & hypocritical & the Quran is a schizophrenic mix of misogyny, violence & contradictions. Most of the problemsin Muslim societies are due to the Quran. Muslims should look to Israel as an ideal country with religious tolerance. Muslims need to reform the message of the Quran for today's society by interpreting it. This is called itejehad. This is her message & she thinks she is very clever. She is hailed as a role model by the right wing, who only wish more Muslims would be like her.
Below are the problems I have with her book:
She commences her book with a semi-autobiographical description of her early daysin Canada, her family having been forced out of Uganda by Idi Amin. You can tell that she has had no positive male role-modelsin her life. Her father was a violent man (as she makes out) & the men who `taught' her `religion' at the local `religious school' were all nasty & misogynistic. In this, I am sure is an explanation for what she would call her `lesbianism'.
She then goes onto imply that the Asian Muslimsin Uganda because of the Quran, which never forbids slavery took slaves & treated them badly! This is blatant ignorance. There are currently plenty of non-Muslim Africans who enslave each other during the multitude of wars that are unfortunately going onin Africa. Furthermore had she even attempted to explore the question rather than fallingin love with herself for asking it, she would have realized that the Quran has numerous verses encouraging the manumission of slaves, e.g. 90:12-13 : `Do you know which is the better path? The freeing of slaves' The Quran makes it clear thatin an ideal society, slavery should not exist. Why does the Quran not advocate clearly a total ban on slavery? Simple, an immediate ban on slaveryin a country with many slaves would leave slaves impoverished & with nowhere to go.
She displays another example of her shallow morality by stating that if God did not want her to be a `lesbian' then why did he make her `fallin love with a woman'! This is worse than even Hollywood movie morality! The Quran is clear on same sex lewdness : 4:15 And those women who commit lewdness, you shall bring four witnesses over them from amongst you; if they bear witness, then you shall restrict themin the homes until death terminates their lives, or God makes for them a way out.
4:16 And the two men who commit it from amongst you, then you shall punish them (the punishment mentionedin the previous verse! ). If they (both women & men) repent & amend, then leave them alone. God is Redeemer.
Presumably she feels this verse needs `interpreting'. She then implies that other religions have no problem with this issue! No religion will ever approve/give equal recognition to same sex lewdness. Again, she is completely wrong & has an opinion devoid of any moral principles.
Next on her list is another Islamic falsehood (although unfortunately adopted by Muslims who have no idea what the Quran says) concerning an income tax which the Quran allegedly states that all non-Muslims must pay. In fact a look at the text (without using the hadith of Bukari et al) reveals what this `tax' is. It is reparations to be paid out when Muslims are attacked by non-Muslims (the only justification for warin the Quran is self defense as per 2:190). And guess what, read Robert Hoyland's book about `Seeing Islam as Others saw It' & what do you see? Earlyin Islam this `tax' was only paidin frontier towns (who were presumably waging war against Muslims)! Later on the Caliphs imposed this on all people. So, historical proof of a move away from the Quran (conveniently backed up by the hadith) can be demonstrated.
She quotes from MEMRI - one just has to google this term to realize it is run by an ex-Mossad agent. She displays gross ignorance concerning the creation of the Zionist state. Every `Muslim' crime she magnifies & displays ignorance of the context or adopts bizarre right wing conspiracy theories which have no basisin scholarly research.
I hope you get the impression! The people who reviewed this book well blindly accepted the facts without verifying them for themselves violating the Quran 17:36.
Out of those who read the book, those who verified the facts will dislike this book. In reality this book is terrible. It is like a fast food sandwich - it gives people what they want but the ingredients are unhealthy.
However, the only valid point she has, & I want to end on this point is this : Muslims are unable to engagein a free minded discussion on so many issues. I have consistently been surprised at how, despite the levels of education & intellectual attainment, how many Muslims on issues of religion act as if they are some third world dictator & attempt to stifle debate through intimidation.
Bigot-free history - By: Tracy, 05 May 2006 
As an agnostic I have been seeking to find material which examines foundations of religions. Whilst there are numerous articles which address & question the absoluteness claimed by religious leaders, there is almost a taboo against questioning Islam (possibly because, outside of the freedoms of the West, any questioning maybe at pain of death). This book redresses that imbalance & provides a refreshing informal unveiling of the bigotry, prejudices & oppression practicedin the name of Islam. I strongly recommend it for anybody seeking a clear history & understanding of Islam, not prejudiced by politics or self interest.
To understand this book you need to read it. - By: , 21 Aug 2005 Before reading the book I thought it was anti-Muslim. I decided to read it, simply to avoid labelling it without seeing what the fuss was all about. If I had not read your book, then how can I judge it?
So I purchased the book & finished reading it that very day! I received much criticism from my family & friends on how unproductive reading the book was & that there are so many other important books I could have read. My response to them: Really? Have you read it? I may not agree with some of the things you say, but I can truly appreciate your struggle with Islam & welcome your ideas.
The book has assisted mein the practice of ijtihad. But does ijithad really cure the struggle? Only time will tell.
Thank you, Irshad Manji, for your excellent contribution to both the Western & Muslim cultures.
Treat with scepticism - By: S. Sandhu, 03 May 2004 
This book has sensationalist value. I have given it one star simply because I could not give it a zero!!
My concern about the book is how seriously one can take a writer whos grasp of the Arabic Language is weak, & who tries to present an argument without any scholarly background or heritage.
The writer challenges people about interpretations of the Qur'an & encourages free thinking & extraction of reasoning. Thisin itself is fine.
The writers is a self-proclaimed lesbian. The Qur'an is clear about this issue.
I think that even the Anti-Islam writers must be laughing at this one. The book may be sellingin buckets, but if you want a serious look into Islam, read the Qur'an & then decide for yourself if reform is required.
The Trouble with Islam - By: sj vazehgoo, 31 Jan 2004 An eloquent challenge to Muslims world wide to wake up & start thinking for themselves. Fascinating for "non-believers" too, it raises more questions than can be dealt with here but opens up a discussion on the history, culture & political influence of Islam. Irshad Manji is articulate, blunt & seemingly without any hidden agenda. Definitely someone I would like to meet - if only there were more like herin the world. This book is worth your time & your money.
