The Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World

by Mustafa Akyol

A theological and historical exploration of the connection between Islam and Judaism through the single most-mentioned character in the Moses.

There is one human mentioned in the Quran more than any Moses. Why is it that the Jewish prophet dominates the Islamic scripture? Because he is the role model for Muhammad, Islam’s own prophet. Because Islam, just like Christianity, is deeply intertwined with Judaism — although surprisingly little attention has been given to this fascinating connection between the two religions.

Author and journalist Mustafa Akyol takes readers on a theological and historical walk through that much-neglected side of the Abrahamic the Judeo-Islamic tradition. Using Moses’ presence in the Quran as a jumping-off point, Akyol explores the first historical encounter between Muslims and Jews, the creative symbiosis and mutual enrichment that occurred between the two belief systems in medieval times, and the modern emergence, development, and perception of the two religions.

At a time of bitter conflict in the Middle East, The Islamic Moses dives into the older, deeper, and often unexpectedly brighter story of Jews and Muslims. Readers of any background will be surprised by the common historical and theological ground that exists between the two religions, and will come away with a better understanding of both.

Genres: Religion, Islam, History, Nonfiction, Judaism

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

Mustafa Akyol lives in Istanbul and is a columnist for the Turkish newspapers Hürriyet Daily News and Star. He has written opinion pieces for the Washington Post, the International Herald Tribune, and Newsweek.

Reviews

[Hal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting and important book, and at the same time, a problematic one. This is an account of early Islam and its great respect for Moses and the Jewish people. Akyol presents a lovely, almost utopic view of Muslim/Jewish history and what could be our future. However, this is also his problem. He largely glosses over, or outright ignores, the many incidents of Muslim violence against Jews dating back to the very beginnings of Islam and in every place where Jews and Muslims interacted. He attributes Muslim antisemitism primarily to outside - and notably Christian - influence, claiming that the vast majority of Muslims respected and got along with their local Jews through the vast majority of our history. He cites the great Jewish scholar Maimonides many times, who did live in Muslim lands - and he also wrote, "God has entangled us with this people, the nation of Ishmael, who treat us so prejudicially and who legislate our harm and hatred…. No nation has ever arisen more harmful than they, nor has anyone done more to humiliate us, degrade us, and consolidate hatred against us."

Akyol clearly has a great desire to unite Jews and Muslims in the modern age, which I can respect and support. However, that unity will not come from whitewashing our history. There is a widespread belief that Jewish life under Muslim rule was better than under Christian rule, and even idyllic. Akyol perpetuates this myth. There were certainly times and places that Jews did better in Muslim lands, but the general trend throughout our shared history was the opposite: Jews were subject to humiliation and violence at the hands of Muslim rulers, again and again.

I wholeheartedly believe in a bright future for Muslims and Jews, and for peace in the Middle East with Israel and other states living alongside one another. I acknowledge the bright spots in our shared history, but they are few and it is vital that we recognize that if we are ever to move forward from this tragic past. I would love to sit down with the author and have a conversation with him about this more painful side of our history. Overall, an interesting read and I'm glad to have read it, but it is certainly an idealized version of events.

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s unfortunate so many believers in one faith aren’t willing to give any time to gain knowledge from other faiths. United as part of the Abrahamic tradition, the world’s three major religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have so much to learn from one another, and a starting point to bridging any divide can be the towering figures of Moses and Jesus.

After having written a book about Jesus’s impact on Islam, Akyol’s focus is now on the Judaic-Islamic tradition, and he explains how Moses served as a visionary role model for Muhammad and how both prophets did more than transmit sacred texts. They also led their followers from persecution to freedom and they provided paths with laws for how to live a purposeful life. In delivering the Qur’an to Muslims as a guide for how to live, Muhammad looked to Moses’s journey for inspiration, and he relayed to his followers how Islam did not seek to supplant the Torah. Rather, Islam sought to recast Jewish law through reforms of how to connect with God through good action.

As Muhammad began his prophethood with doubts, a prominent Christian named Waraqa assured Muhammad that he would serve in ways similar to Moses in leading the children of Ishmael, and so it was that the achievements of Moses and the unwavering monotheism of Judaism inspired the nascent Muslim community. In fact, from the very beginning of Islam, Jews and Muslims collaborated, and Muhammad made Jews welcomed in his inclusive community, the umma, granting Jews equal rights and empowering them to worship their own religion.

Akyol traces history to show how Jews fared better with protections and freedoms under Muslim conquest than under the cruelty of Roman and Christian rule. During the Crusades, Jews were more apt to help Muslims against the persecuting Christians because the Muslims treated the Jewish community with leniency. Akyol goes on to investigate how over many centuries Islam influenced Judaism with a revival, whereby the practices and beliefs between the laws of the Jewish Halakha and the Islamic Sharia came to have many similarities.

Judaism proved over time to be more open and malleable to reform than Islam has been, but the irony is that during the Golden Age of Islam, the Muslims’ reliance on reason and science offered Jews a roadmap for learning and philosophical inquiry. Through the entirety of the Ottoman Empire, Jews relied on the Muslims for having systems of governing that enabled Judaism to thrive according to its beliefs and traditions. In turn, the Jews showed loyal support to the Ottomans.

In sharing Moses as an inspirational figure, Jews and Muslims have had many eras of peaceable relations and coexistence. I agree with Akyol that the contemporary crisis is not a theological war, but rather a conflict with growing animosity over political supremacy to a region like Palestine where both Israelis and Palestinians deserve the right to live with freedom and dignity, which can only be possible with a shared vision of the Holy Land honoring a two-state solution.

Akyol is among our most vital scholars working to reshape the course of history by showing how coexistence is possible among the Abrahamic faiths because they revere the same prophets and their historical pasts prove that they have relied on each other to develop, reform, and survive. Now the challenge is how to convince Jews, Christians, and Muslims to listen to the message of their prophets, particularly Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad in order to live with the courage, resilience, and peace they modeled and professed for humankind.

[Evan Bolick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've long chuckled at modern insistence of the use of the term "Judeo-Christian" values. Although true that Christianity has its roots in Judaism, the two religions shared a largely hostile and tense relationship until after World War II. And of course, limiting values to these two religions unfairly omits the other descendant of Judaism (and Christianity - as the Koran acknowledges Jesus as the messiah) - Islam. This book does great and critical work in excavating the past pre-modern relationship between Judaism and Islam, while reminding the reader that for much of history, these religions enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship. This is a history critically in need of remembering amongst some of the worst violence between these groups in ages.

For those not in the know, the book quickly and easily shows the reader how theologically similar Islam and Judaism are. I then particularly enjoyed learning about Muhammad's interactions with the Jewish communities of his time, and the Jewish experience under the Ottoman and subsequent Turkish empires (semi-spoiler... much better than the experience in Western/Christian nations). It also does a good job tracking how politics (more than theology) are to blame for the current mistrust and dislike between the religious groups. Along the way, the author shows how the liberalization of the Jewish religion could provide a pathway for liberalization in the Islamic world.

I won't deny that I found the middle part of the book, that focuses very heavily on philosophy and heavy theological points, a bit un-engaging. But overall, I really appreciated this book and hope that more works like this can contribute towards healing the divide.

[Kadin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Islamic Moses, Akyol explores the shared religious and cultural heritage between Jews and Muslims—and Christians to an extent, too. Using Moses as a guiding light, Akyol goes through history and shares the many examples of Jews and Muslims cooperating and living and thriving together in a shared society. From there, Akyol parses through how Jews and Muslims (and Christians, too) can once again reach that level of harmonious cohabitation. Akyol is maybe a little too optimistic about the prospects, but you can't fault him too hard for it. For a book that sometimes dives pretty deep into the religious and cultural history and philosophy, the author's narrative and accessible prose means it's not too heavy of a lift.

[Scott Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akyol provides a critical survey of history and scriptural interpretation for Islamic and Jewish relations (and Christian thrown in occasionally). After comparing and contrasting Q’uranic and Hebrew scripture depictions of Moses (Moshe), he moves on to the oscillating political and religious alliances/conflicts between Muhammed and his contemporary neighbors. The author then tracks these same hot-warm-cold relationships through the next centuries, through philosophical and economic collaborations, into our late 20th and early 21st century antagonism. While showing that for much of parallel and interwoven experiences through the centuries, Islam and Judaism coexisted and it wasn’t until the last hundred years, Islam seems to have adopted Christianity’s anti-Judaism based in conspiratorial and fantastic myths. (I won’t say anti-Semitic since Arabic is also a Semitic language.) The reasons: perhaps power hunger for a return to Ottoman Empire, misreading of Q’uranic passages; vengeance over Western-based slights or….

While I’m appreciative of the publisher for providing an advance copy, I was unable to read the Epilogue in which the author shares how to restore Islamic-Jewish friendships and peace. Akyol’s work here is important for anyone interested in this topic and a worthwhile companion to his analysis of Islamic and Christian perspectives of Jesus/Isa.

[Bebo Saucier Carrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Having grown up in a Protestant Christian background, I grew up with so many misconceptions about both Judaism and Islam. I've been wanting to learn more about both religions for some time now, and this book piqued my interest when I saw it on Netgalley. I am so glad I gave it a chance!

This book was very approachable as someone with little knowledge about either Islam or Judaism. It provided a great history on both, as well as a look into why each religion believes and practices as they do now. It was also really interesting to look at the evolution of the relationship between Islam and Judaism into what it is today.

I would highly recommend for anyone interested in the history between these two religions, and anyone interested in looking for a better way forward in interfaith conversations.

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love learning about religions, Judaism and Islam have always been my favorites to delve into so when I saw this book, I had to read it! I was not disappointed. I found it very educational. I enjoyed how the author included readings of the Quran talking about Moses and pointed out how they compare to the Bible. There was so much inside these pages to reflect on and study. In my opinion, one reading does not do it justice. After finishing the book I came away with a better understanding of both religions, a greater respect for them and the feeling of wanting to go deeper into learning and understanding these beautiful religions.

I recommend this book to the curious, the seeker and anyone who enjoys learning about other faiths and why people believe the way they do.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and offer my honest review.

[Leena El-Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every person able to influence the debate around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and certainly every policymaker and pundit in a position to make a difference, should read this book. The Jewish-Muslim relationship was an extraordinary one of predominantly mutual respect, trust, coexistence and collaboration for 13 centuries across Arab, North African & Ottoman empires before it soured so heart-breakingly in the past century. Jew and Muslim moreover stood shoulder-to shoulder for century upon century in the face of the French-driven crusades, the Spanish Inquisition and broad European antisemitism. Akyol's book is a gripping and necessary read today, a sincere and thoughtful account that dares to shine an honest light on the only way forward in terms of the necessary shift in mindset that must now take place on both sides.

[Asher Winnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great history that vitally shows the historical and spiritual links between Jews and Muslims. Great resource: the author's background in the CATO institute leaps out whenever historical research turns to analysis. This books value is diminished for myself when so much time, love and effort is put into a niche topic only for the author to have the same stance as The American State department. Jews and Muslims have long links, and those links are broken, but being a (liberal?) Zionist clouds his judgement of how those conditions have turned into the here and now.

That said, shout-out to Rabbi Mukhayriq: may his memory be a blessing.

[Muawiyah Yousuf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Akyol’s The Islamic Jesus and expected this book to follow a similar formula—centering on a single figure through Islamic, Christian, and historical lenses. But The Islamic Moses isn’t about Moses in that way. Instead, it explores the shared ideas, mutual influences, and the 1,400-year relationship between Islam and Judaism—spanning theology, history, philosophy, politics, and culture.

Nevertheless, it’s an informative read, though it carries Akyol’s characteristic liberal streak: calls for reform within islam, a stronger role for human reason in fiqh, his recurring lament over the loss of Mu'tazilite thought, etc.

[Yma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does an important job establishing its purpose early on - show the world, primarily Muslims and Jews, that differences between Islam and Judaism are not drastic and hatred between certain groups is a modern ideology which does not accurately depict early relations between the two groups. While there’s many points made within it that had me shocked or in awe, there was simply too much information. While that in itself is not a bad thing, I felt that it took away from its goal of sparking a push for unity and peace.

[Jordan Douglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book made me realize how uneducated I am on the similarities of Islam and Judaism. This book was very informational and went over a lot of historical context. I found myself getting lost sometimes with the abundance of information. I think if I had a better understanding of the Jews and Muslims relationship with one another prior to reading this book, i would have enjoyed it more. #GoodreadsGiveaway

[Patricia Romero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Moses is mentioned a lot in the Quran. In this work, the author tells a story of Moses as the model for the Prophet.

Islam and Judaism have a lot of things in common. And a lot not.


He explores the Muslim/Jewish interactions in the old days.


NetGalley/ St. Martin’s Press September 10, 2924

[Cathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a most interesting and informative read. How amazing it is to see that if we all just took the time to actually read, study and think for ourselves, we would find that there is more "sameness" in our religions than diversity..... and perhaps we might see that peace wouldn't be that hard to achieve if we could just acknowledge that.

[Nicole Kegler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book from the library on a whim. Akyol does an amazing job telling the history of Judeo-Islamic relations and how both people got to where we are today. It's very much opinion based but very believable and gave me an entirely new way of looking at the relationship between Jewish people and Muslims.

[Sabeeha Rehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth every minute of it. The history of Jews & Muslims is what we need to know in these fraught times, as it delves into the long history of co-existence and the countless times Muslim rulers stood by and protected Jews fleeing persecution. It is infused with the spirit of healing. It brings the narrative into the present with a powerful message of peace.

[Annie Jabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book to be consumed within the larger canon of contemporary comparative lit/religious historiography. But was happy to get back to my Islamic studies roots with this. Makes me want to read more about Jewish life in the Ottoman Empire.

[Joe Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so incredibly important.

A resounding call to look for all peoples humanity!

And so importantly points out the need to examine your beliefs constantly and the need to study history.

I will boldly call this my book of the year!

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aa book that makes you realize how woefully ignorant I am about Islamic history, Jewish history, and Middle East history in the 7-9 centuries

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

And thus, her interest in non-fiction was born.

Read the arc so I didn't read the epilogue because it wasn't written (who does that??)

[Tiemu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mustafa Akyol sensitively explains the long history and theological dialogue between Jews and Muslims from the days of Muhammad up to today.

[Dave F · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent read, fascinating history in service of a present call to action. While the title may be slightly misleading, it is very telling. Most of the book is concerned with how Islamic leaders and scholars positively regarded Jews living in their communities (with special emphasis on the life of the Prophet and earliest Muslim communities, and the Middle Ages), and how Jewish philosophers were inspired by and creatively & critically engaged with Muslim religious and philosophical ideas. What emerges is a rich and often overlooked tradition of two sister cultures enhancing one another. I came away with a want for more on some of the specific theologians highlighted (and with resources to continue looking into them!)