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Just Your Average Muslim
Too often we see Islam and Muslims portrayed as fanatical jihadists or helpless victims of western oppression. This book provides a rare insight into what, as the book"s title states, the average Muslim makes of it all.
- GenresReligionNonfiction
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 8, 2016
The book's main strength is how easy to read it is. it flows very well together and really feels like Zia Saab is just talking to you and giving you his story.
it gives a unique insight into his journey and feels quite honest. Zia Chaudhry is actually just your average Muslim, and from the title to the conclusion, I felt like he was being honest.
I think the main issue most people found with this book were his unconventional suggestions, especially with regards to reforming orthodox practices such as combining the Hajj into one constant Umrah and changing prayer times along with a basic discussion on their purposes. Although he follows logic based on Islamic principle, he doesn't seem to follow it throughout and doesn't seem well-versed in how Islamic rulings are derived.
Nonetheless I appreciated his point that critical thinking is a must for each Muslim, and we shouldn't be afraid to suggest such things to our scholars, who can then explain why such rulings and reasoning are flawed.
Overall, I gave the book four stars as it is an honest story and I think really gives an insight into the life of a British Muslim, his development, and also into the mindset of the liberal-minded Muslims.
I have read Oblivion, and that gives another impression into another group of British Muslims and their journeys towards finding faith for themselves. This one is more personal and written a lot better though (also helps that it isn't fictional).
it gives a unique insight into his journey and feels quite honest. Zia Chaudhry is actually just your average Muslim, and from the title to the conclusion, I felt like he was being honest.
I think the main issue most people found with this book were his unconventional suggestions, especially with regards to reforming orthodox practices such as combining the Hajj into one constant Umrah and changing prayer times along with a basic discussion on their purposes. Although he follows logic based on Islamic principle, he doesn't seem to follow it throughout and doesn't seem well-versed in how Islamic rulings are derived.
Nonetheless I appreciated his point that critical thinking is a must for each Muslim, and we shouldn't be afraid to suggest such things to our scholars, who can then explain why such rulings and reasoning are flawed.
Overall, I gave the book four stars as it is an honest story and I think really gives an insight into the life of a British Muslim, his development, and also into the mindset of the liberal-minded Muslims.
I have read Oblivion, and that gives another impression into another group of British Muslims and their journeys towards finding faith for themselves. This one is more personal and written a lot better though (also helps that it isn't fictional).
January 3, 2016
Overall this novel is a great, refreshing read. Although I didn't learn anything remarkably new from it, the book did very well in bringing in and consolidating information concerning various topics, these being: development of Muslim communities in Britain, the debate between religion and science, lack of Muslim pro-activity currently, the role of Western media and "how is it looking for the future?".
My favorite chapter was the author's quite impressive knowledge on the Islamic Golden Era. Loving history, I enjoyed reading about scientific, medical, mathematical, literature (and so on) progression from renowned Muslim figures. The author rightly points out that not just non-Muslims, but Muslims are not aware and do not take pride in their history, as they should be.
Quite unfortunately, I give this book a two star rating, for the sole reason being that Chaudhry begins to debate about 'reforming' the foundations, cornerstones of the Islamic faith. He makes tentative unconvincing points about the need to perhaps reform prayer times, Ramadan, and maybe consider making Umrah like that of Hajj (these being pilgrimages).
It sent alarm bells ringing in my head, promptly ruining the book for me.
I believe there are subjects in the Islamic faith that are open to discussion, and actually should be debated. I am not advocating for monotonous blind implementation of faith. However, Chaudhry is opening up a debate on subjects that are so primary, so vital to the foundation of Islam, that it is actually worrying.
As he points out "innate religious conservatism makes this tweaking of tradition anathema to many followers of the faith." I take that dry comment with humor; he can say all he wants about "religious conservatism", but one has to understand that Islam itself does not need reform, but rather Muslims needs reform, in all senses; spiritually, intellectually and actively in our communities.
My favorite chapter was the author's quite impressive knowledge on the Islamic Golden Era. Loving history, I enjoyed reading about scientific, medical, mathematical, literature (and so on) progression from renowned Muslim figures. The author rightly points out that not just non-Muslims, but Muslims are not aware and do not take pride in their history, as they should be.
Quite unfortunately, I give this book a two star rating, for the sole reason being that Chaudhry begins to debate about 'reforming' the foundations, cornerstones of the Islamic faith. He makes tentative unconvincing points about the need to perhaps reform prayer times, Ramadan, and maybe consider making Umrah like that of Hajj (these being pilgrimages).
It sent alarm bells ringing in my head, promptly ruining the book for me.
I believe there are subjects in the Islamic faith that are open to discussion, and actually should be debated. I am not advocating for monotonous blind implementation of faith. However, Chaudhry is opening up a debate on subjects that are so primary, so vital to the foundation of Islam, that it is actually worrying.
As he points out "innate religious conservatism makes this tweaking of tradition anathema to many followers of the faith." I take that dry comment with humor; he can say all he wants about "religious conservatism", but one has to understand that Islam itself does not need reform, but rather Muslims needs reform, in all senses; spiritually, intellectually and actively in our communities.
March 21, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable journey through life, with some insightful anecdotes and great humour
June 7, 2015
*review unfinished*
Zia rallies a challenging and thought provoking case for the 'Average Muslim' and Islam and it's place in historical and contemporary arena, putting to bed many stereotypical and outrageous asseverations etched into the fabric of the world through the front pages and headlines of the media. Zia also explains the origins of such scapegoating of Muslims - and Islam - through a myriad of examples in contemporary history, taking much inspiration from the fall of the cold war and the West's intervention in Muslim lands for it's political and economic gains.
An interesting read, but not without it's issues: Zia's writing carries a heavily biased tone towards not only the Muslim world, but Pakistan - from which his heritage is inherited - which becomes apparent in his historically inaccurate depiction of India that instigated the beginning of the Kashmir conflict, to which we say to this day. In Chapter 'Religion or science (or both)?', Zia attempts to legitimise his belief in God through the lens of the Qur'an and it's scientific miracles - something which came across as extremely 'Dr Zakir Naik-esque''. Chapter 'Have Muslims always been "thick"?' became a glorified list of renowned Islamic polymaths, their contributions to the fields of Mathematics, Astronomy and Geography, to name a few, and their uses (or plagiarism) by western minds and thinkers that those same achievements became attributed to. Unfortunately Zia fails to address the many Muslim minds, thinkers and scientists that have achieved much in contemporary times and consequently pushes the notion that Muslims are not knowledgable nor intelligent today. The subsequent chapter 'Or in need of anger management' follows in it's predecessors 'litanous' theme.
Zia rallies a challenging and thought provoking case for the 'Average Muslim' and Islam and it's place in historical and contemporary arena, putting to bed many stereotypical and outrageous asseverations etched into the fabric of the world through the front pages and headlines of the media. Zia also explains the origins of such scapegoating of Muslims - and Islam - through a myriad of examples in contemporary history, taking much inspiration from the fall of the cold war and the West's intervention in Muslim lands for it's political and economic gains.
An interesting read, but not without it's issues: Zia's writing carries a heavily biased tone towards not only the Muslim world, but Pakistan - from which his heritage is inherited - which becomes apparent in his historically inaccurate depiction of India that instigated the beginning of the Kashmir conflict, to which we say to this day. In Chapter 'Religion or science (or both)?', Zia attempts to legitimise his belief in God through the lens of the Qur'an and it's scientific miracles - something which came across as extremely 'Dr Zakir Naik-esque''. Chapter 'Have Muslims always been "thick"?' became a glorified list of renowned Islamic polymaths, their contributions to the fields of Mathematics, Astronomy and Geography, to name a few, and their uses (or plagiarism) by western minds and thinkers that those same achievements became attributed to. Unfortunately Zia fails to address the many Muslim minds, thinkers and scientists that have achieved much in contemporary times and consequently pushes the notion that Muslims are not knowledgable nor intelligent today. The subsequent chapter 'Or in need of anger management' follows in it's predecessors 'litanous' theme.
March 5, 2017
Insightful synopsis of what's wrong with the Muslims today and what lies ahead. Zia managed to capture some heavy topics with great ease. Left me wanting to know more of his opinions on issues that have arisen on the world stage since this book was published. Essential reading for the youth and for anyone who is puzzled by the current Muslim debacle that is getting worse year on year.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews