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The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran
The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran exposes how the Koran incites hatred and violence and is anti-democratic, anti-freedom, and intolerant of any other ideology. Stripping out the obsolete debate, The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran focuses on the decrees toward Jews and Christians, how they were viewed by Muhammad, what “the infidels” have done wrong and what the Koran has in store for them.
The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran is the essential primer to comprehending one of the most cryptic and misunderstood religious texts. Robert Spencer sheds light on the violence inherent in the Koran and reveals the frightening implications for the War on Terror, the U.S. and the world.
In The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran you will
The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran is the essential primer to comprehending one of the most cryptic and misunderstood religious texts. Robert Spencer sheds light on the violence inherent in the Koran and reveals the frightening implications for the War on Terror, the U.S. and the world.
In The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran you will
260 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2009
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About the author
Robert Spencer
116 books327 followersROBERT SPENCER is the director of Jihad Watch, a program of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, and the author of seventeen books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) and The Truth About Muhammad. His latest book is The Complete Infidel’s Guide to Free Speech (and Its Enemies). Coming in November 2017 is Confessions of an Islamophobe (Bombardier Books).
Spencer has led seminars on Islam and jihad for the FBI, the United States Central Command, United States Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group, the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the Justice Department’s Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council and the U.S. intelligence community. He has discussed jihad, Islam, and terrorism at a workshop sponsored by the U.S. State Department and the German Foreign Ministry. He is a consultant with the Center for Security Policy.
Spencer is a weekly columnist for PJ Media and FrontPage Magazine, and has written many hundreds of articles about jihad and Islamic terrorism. His articles on Islam and other topics have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Examiner, the New York Post, the Washington Times, the Dallas Morning News, Fox News Opinion, National Review, The Hill, the Detroit News, TownHall.com, Real Clear Religion, the Daily Caller, the New Criterion, the Journal of International Security Affairs, the UK’s Guardian, Canada’s National Post, Middle East Quarterly, WorldNet Daily, First Things, Insight in the News, Aleteia, and many other journals. For nearly ten years Spencer wrote the weekly Jihad Watch column at Human Events. He has also served as a contributing writer to the Investigative Project on Terrorism and as an Adjunct Fellow with the Free Congress Foundation.
Spencer has appeared on the BBC, ABC News, CNN, FoxNews’s Tucker Carlson Show, the O’Reilly Factor, Megyn Kelly’s The Kelly File, the Sean Hannity Show, Geraldo Rivera Reports, the Glenn Beck Show, Fox and Friends, America’s News HQ and many other Fox programs, PBS, MSNBC, CNBC, C-Span, CTV News, Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News, France24, Voice of Russia and Croatia National Television (HTV), as well as on numerous radio programs including The Sean Hannity Show, Bill O’Reilly’s Radio Factor, The Mark Levin Show, The Laura Ingraham Show, The Herman Cain Show, The Joe Piscopo Show, The Howie Carr Show, The Curt Schilling Show, Bill Bennett’s Morning in America, Michael Savage’s Savage Nation, The Alan Colmes Show, The G. Gordon Liddy Show, The Neal Boortz Show, The Michael Medved Show, The Michael Reagan Show, The Rusty Humphries Show, The Larry Elder Show, The Peter Boyles Show, Vatican Radio, and many others.
Robert Spencer has been a featured speaker across the country and around the world and authored 17 books. Spencer’s books have been translated into many languages, including Spanish, Italian, German, Finnish, Korean, Polish and Bahasa Indonesia. His Qur’an commentary at Jihad Watch, Blogging the Qur’an, has been translated into Czech, Danish, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Spencer (MA, Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) has been studying Islamic theology, law, and history in depth since 1980. His work has aroused the ire of the foes of freedom and their dupes: in October 2011, Muslim Brotherhood-linked groups wrote to Homeland Security Advisor (and current CIA director) John Brennan, demanding that Spencer be removed as a trainer for the FBI and military groups, which he taught about the belief system of Islamic jihadists; Brennan immediately complied as counter-terror training materials were scrubbed of all mention of Islam and jihad. Spencer has been banned by the British government from entering the United Kingdom for pointing out accurately that Islam has doctrines of violence against unbelievers. He has been invited by name to convert to Islam by a senior member of al-Qaeda.
Spencer has led seminars on Islam and jihad for the FBI, the United States Central Command, United States Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group, the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the Justice Department’s Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council and the U.S. intelligence community. He has discussed jihad, Islam, and terrorism at a workshop sponsored by the U.S. State Department and the German Foreign Ministry. He is a consultant with the Center for Security Policy.
Spencer is a weekly columnist for PJ Media and FrontPage Magazine, and has written many hundreds of articles about jihad and Islamic terrorism. His articles on Islam and other topics have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Examiner, the New York Post, the Washington Times, the Dallas Morning News, Fox News Opinion, National Review, The Hill, the Detroit News, TownHall.com, Real Clear Religion, the Daily Caller, the New Criterion, the Journal of International Security Affairs, the UK’s Guardian, Canada’s National Post, Middle East Quarterly, WorldNet Daily, First Things, Insight in the News, Aleteia, and many other journals. For nearly ten years Spencer wrote the weekly Jihad Watch column at Human Events. He has also served as a contributing writer to the Investigative Project on Terrorism and as an Adjunct Fellow with the Free Congress Foundation.
Spencer has appeared on the BBC, ABC News, CNN, FoxNews’s Tucker Carlson Show, the O’Reilly Factor, Megyn Kelly’s The Kelly File, the Sean Hannity Show, Geraldo Rivera Reports, the Glenn Beck Show, Fox and Friends, America’s News HQ and many other Fox programs, PBS, MSNBC, CNBC, C-Span, CTV News, Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News, France24, Voice of Russia and Croatia National Television (HTV), as well as on numerous radio programs including The Sean Hannity Show, Bill O’Reilly’s Radio Factor, The Mark Levin Show, The Laura Ingraham Show, The Herman Cain Show, The Joe Piscopo Show, The Howie Carr Show, The Curt Schilling Show, Bill Bennett’s Morning in America, Michael Savage’s Savage Nation, The Alan Colmes Show, The G. Gordon Liddy Show, The Neal Boortz Show, The Michael Medved Show, The Michael Reagan Show, The Rusty Humphries Show, The Larry Elder Show, The Peter Boyles Show, Vatican Radio, and many others.
Robert Spencer has been a featured speaker across the country and around the world and authored 17 books. Spencer’s books have been translated into many languages, including Spanish, Italian, German, Finnish, Korean, Polish and Bahasa Indonesia. His Qur’an commentary at Jihad Watch, Blogging the Qur’an, has been translated into Czech, Danish, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Spencer (MA, Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) has been studying Islamic theology, law, and history in depth since 1980. His work has aroused the ire of the foes of freedom and their dupes: in October 2011, Muslim Brotherhood-linked groups wrote to Homeland Security Advisor (and current CIA director) John Brennan, demanding that Spencer be removed as a trainer for the FBI and military groups, which he taught about the belief system of Islamic jihadists; Brennan immediately complied as counter-terror training materials were scrubbed of all mention of Islam and jihad. Spencer has been banned by the British government from entering the United Kingdom for pointing out accurately that Islam has doctrines of violence against unbelievers. He has been invited by name to convert to Islam by a senior member of al-Qaeda.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
October 31, 2009
Unlike many readers of this book, I have read the Koran. I did so some time after 9-11; I have first-hand knowledge of many of the things that Mr. Spencer points out. He does so very clearly and concisely providing examples both of the clear language of the Koran and apologists' spin-doctored versions of the verses.
June 7, 2011
I was disappointed in this book. Whether it’s true or not hardly seems to matter; I was still disappointed.
Spencer hopes to introduce casual readers to the words of the Koran, and he has nothing good to say about it. He compares it to Mein Kampf. Here are some of the chapter titles:
The Muslims’ Worst Enemies: The Koran on the Jews
The Koran on Christians: They’re Not So Hot, Either
The Koran on Women: Crooked and Inferior
The Koran Teaches Nonviolence—Oh, and Violence, Too
Here’s the bottom line: If you want to know what’s in the Holy Book of Islam, read Spencer. If you want to know what Muslims believe, read Karen Armstrong. Islam is a religion of peace, which—like Christianity—attracts a few extremists. Like Christianity, its holy texts are in places downright abominable. Like Christians, practicing believers generally learn to ignore or spiritualize the ungodly portions of their scriptures.
Spencer says about his work, “You will find nothing in this book about Islamic ritual practices or prayers. This is an Infidel’s guide, focusing on where the Koran came from and its specific portions that are—or should be—of concern to Infidels.” It is, by Spencer’s admission, one-sided, and not reflective of general Muslim practices.
Tomorrow, I’ll balance this with a discussion of the Texts of Terror within the Bible, so we can realize how much Christians ignore in their holy book. It might help put things in perspective.
Spencer hopes to introduce casual readers to the words of the Koran, and he has nothing good to say about it. He compares it to Mein Kampf. Here are some of the chapter titles:
The Muslims’ Worst Enemies: The Koran on the Jews
The Koran on Christians: They’re Not So Hot, Either
The Koran on Women: Crooked and Inferior
The Koran Teaches Nonviolence—Oh, and Violence, Too
Here’s the bottom line: If you want to know what’s in the Holy Book of Islam, read Spencer. If you want to know what Muslims believe, read Karen Armstrong. Islam is a religion of peace, which—like Christianity—attracts a few extremists. Like Christianity, its holy texts are in places downright abominable. Like Christians, practicing believers generally learn to ignore or spiritualize the ungodly portions of their scriptures.
Spencer says about his work, “You will find nothing in this book about Islamic ritual practices or prayers. This is an Infidel’s guide, focusing on where the Koran came from and its specific portions that are—or should be—of concern to Infidels.” It is, by Spencer’s admission, one-sided, and not reflective of general Muslim practices.
Tomorrow, I’ll balance this with a discussion of the Texts of Terror within the Bible, so we can realize how much Christians ignore in their holy book. It might help put things in perspective.
July 19, 2011
Pretty much the introduction of this book says it all when the author says, "This guide will inevitably be branded as anti-Islamic, as well as bigoted, hateful, and Islamaphobic.....Whether the Koran really says what this guide claims can easily be verified. And if this guide accurately reports its contents that couldn't possibly be an act of hatred or bigotry."
That is the statement of the century. It is very easy to determine if this author is telling the truth, and having read the English translation of the Koran I can tell you that he is. The author presents this guide as a way to compare and contrast what most of the Judeo-Christian world would understand to what Islam understands. The two are very different and trying to understand Islam through the lens of Judaism or Christianity simply cannot work.
He tells both the good and the bad, which I found to be vitally important. If there is a sura, or verse, that promotes peace or tolerance he will list it. But often times you'll find that there is a subtext there. For example, a sura might state that tolerance should be given to "true believers". Well according to the Koran the only true believers are Muslims, so everyone else is exempt from this tolerance. But undoubtedly there are a lot of verses that to the average Christian or Jew will seem to be promoting peace and equality based on how they view the words. But the way the Muslim world may view those words is entirely different.
I found this book informative and an important read for anyone non-Muslim. Because like it or not, according to the Koran you are an infidel who does not hold the same rights and respects as a Muslim. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of wonderful, peaceful Muslims out there. But by reading the Koran it is not hard to understand where the extremist ones come up with their views. Knowledge is power and that is what this book provides, fair and honest knowledge. And if you still believe him to be a hateful bigot, read the Koran for yourself and you will find all of the verses listed in black and white.
That is the statement of the century. It is very easy to determine if this author is telling the truth, and having read the English translation of the Koran I can tell you that he is. The author presents this guide as a way to compare and contrast what most of the Judeo-Christian world would understand to what Islam understands. The two are very different and trying to understand Islam through the lens of Judaism or Christianity simply cannot work.
He tells both the good and the bad, which I found to be vitally important. If there is a sura, or verse, that promotes peace or tolerance he will list it. But often times you'll find that there is a subtext there. For example, a sura might state that tolerance should be given to "true believers". Well according to the Koran the only true believers are Muslims, so everyone else is exempt from this tolerance. But undoubtedly there are a lot of verses that to the average Christian or Jew will seem to be promoting peace and equality based on how they view the words. But the way the Muslim world may view those words is entirely different.
I found this book informative and an important read for anyone non-Muslim. Because like it or not, according to the Koran you are an infidel who does not hold the same rights and respects as a Muslim. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of wonderful, peaceful Muslims out there. But by reading the Koran it is not hard to understand where the extremist ones come up with their views. Knowledge is power and that is what this book provides, fair and honest knowledge. And if you still believe him to be a hateful bigot, read the Koran for yourself and you will find all of the verses listed in black and white.
June 13, 2016
Biased
A biased interpretation, very anti Islam. I am interested in learning more about a religion that has such an effect on our world today. I am not interested. In this man,s political rant. I would not recommend this to anyone.
A biased interpretation, very anti Islam. I am interested in learning more about a religion that has such an effect on our world today. I am not interested. In this man,s political rant. I would not recommend this to anyone.
January 21, 2015
A thorough book. An interesting book. A biased book. A necessary book.
The author, Robert Spencer, makes no bones about the fact that he has an agenda: He wants to show people the TRUTH about Islam. Did he succeed? Well, yes and no.
Yes: I know much more about Islam than I did going in which was sadly very little. However, I'm exactly the intended audience for this book, i.e. someone who is interested in why so many people keep referencing the Koran as their motivation for killing.
No: The author succeeded in showing what passages radical Muslims use to justify their killings. He also showed other passages that advocate peace but claims that all of these have been "abrogated." A similar issue also comes up in the Bible but in reverse. See, in the Koran, the touchy-feely passages are up front and the super scary passages tend to come later. There are different schools of thought as to which verses abrogate, the former or the latter. In the Bible, it's the opposite. The hard core fire and brimstone is in the Old Testament and the "Jesus-Happy-Good-Funtime" comes later. I definitely understand people saying that what comes later trumps what comes before, but I feel that that particular issue is a personal faith decision. I guess what I'm saying is that, much like the Bible, you can find justification for your actions in the Koran, whatever they are, it just depends on where you look.
HOWEVER, the Koran is a very different document from the Bible. The Koran talks about violence and war and killing infidels A LOT. I had always assumed that these might be a few isolated passages, but not so much. Again, I don't think the vast majority of practicing Muslims see the violent passages as a) relevant to in their modern lives and/or b) abrogated by the passages that promote peace.
I did get a kick out of some of the "peace" passages though. So many times it would say stuff like "Be tolerant of Christians and Jews...as long as they convert to Islam...or are subservient to Islam...or do Islam's laundry, etc."
I was also surprised by how much the Koran name drops Jesus, Moses, Abraham, et al. Who these individuals are in the Koran is very different from who they are in the Bible. I hadn't really realized that when Muslims/Christians/Jews are talking about these guys that we're not REALLY talking about the same guys, at least in terms of a narrative that we can all agree on.
If the Koran reminded me of anything it seemed to be closest to the Book of Mormon for a couple of different reasons:
1. As I said before, all of the appropriating of other religions figures to strengthen their argument. "Oh yeah guys, Jesus existed but he was a Muslim prophet so...yeah, deal with it."
2. Much like the Book of Mormon, it had that "making-it-up-as-I-go-along" feel. For example, the Koran says men can't have more than 3 wives, but Allah told Muhammed that he could have more. How nice of Allah! That's always the easiest way to make me suspicious of your holy book: having God tell you what the rules are and then saying that you are the only exception. It would have been like if Moses had come down the mountain with 11 Commandments and one of them was "Tuesday is 'Moses Gets a Back Rub" day."
I was hoping this book would be my one stop shop to figure out Islam but alas, Spencer is WAY too biased. I understand his concerns, I mean this is life and death we're talking about here. I like his passion but he's too close to the issue and I don't think he gives religious moderates enough credit.
The book succeeded in showing me what passages the religious extremists use to justify their actions and what passages peaceful Muslims use to justify their actions. For that, it's a good read. But I know I need to find something more balanced lest I come away with too bleak a picture of an entire religion.
The author, Robert Spencer, makes no bones about the fact that he has an agenda: He wants to show people the TRUTH about Islam. Did he succeed? Well, yes and no.
Yes: I know much more about Islam than I did going in which was sadly very little. However, I'm exactly the intended audience for this book, i.e. someone who is interested in why so many people keep referencing the Koran as their motivation for killing.
No: The author succeeded in showing what passages radical Muslims use to justify their killings. He also showed other passages that advocate peace but claims that all of these have been "abrogated." A similar issue also comes up in the Bible but in reverse. See, in the Koran, the touchy-feely passages are up front and the super scary passages tend to come later. There are different schools of thought as to which verses abrogate, the former or the latter. In the Bible, it's the opposite. The hard core fire and brimstone is in the Old Testament and the "Jesus-Happy-Good-Funtime" comes later. I definitely understand people saying that what comes later trumps what comes before, but I feel that that particular issue is a personal faith decision. I guess what I'm saying is that, much like the Bible, you can find justification for your actions in the Koran, whatever they are, it just depends on where you look.
HOWEVER, the Koran is a very different document from the Bible. The Koran talks about violence and war and killing infidels A LOT. I had always assumed that these might be a few isolated passages, but not so much. Again, I don't think the vast majority of practicing Muslims see the violent passages as a) relevant to in their modern lives and/or b) abrogated by the passages that promote peace.
I did get a kick out of some of the "peace" passages though. So many times it would say stuff like "Be tolerant of Christians and Jews...as long as they convert to Islam...or are subservient to Islam...or do Islam's laundry, etc."
I was also surprised by how much the Koran name drops Jesus, Moses, Abraham, et al. Who these individuals are in the Koran is very different from who they are in the Bible. I hadn't really realized that when Muslims/Christians/Jews are talking about these guys that we're not REALLY talking about the same guys, at least in terms of a narrative that we can all agree on.
If the Koran reminded me of anything it seemed to be closest to the Book of Mormon for a couple of different reasons:
1. As I said before, all of the appropriating of other religions figures to strengthen their argument. "Oh yeah guys, Jesus existed but he was a Muslim prophet so...yeah, deal with it."
2. Much like the Book of Mormon, it had that "making-it-up-as-I-go-along" feel. For example, the Koran says men can't have more than 3 wives, but Allah told Muhammed that he could have more. How nice of Allah! That's always the easiest way to make me suspicious of your holy book: having God tell you what the rules are and then saying that you are the only exception. It would have been like if Moses had come down the mountain with 11 Commandments and one of them was "Tuesday is 'Moses Gets a Back Rub" day."
I was hoping this book would be my one stop shop to figure out Islam but alas, Spencer is WAY too biased. I understand his concerns, I mean this is life and death we're talking about here. I like his passion but he's too close to the issue and I don't think he gives religious moderates enough credit.
The book succeeded in showing me what passages the religious extremists use to justify their actions and what passages peaceful Muslims use to justify their actions. For that, it's a good read. But I know I need to find something more balanced lest I come away with too bleak a picture of an entire religion.
April 25, 2010
Together with Ibn Warraq's "Why I Am Not a Muslim," this is a must read for non-Muslims who wish to understand the background, history, and possible results of the violent forms of Islam that are claiming power today. Well written and a fascinating (and frightening)read.
[NOTE: I forgot to add that I do have one problem with the author and his book: while his criticisms of islam do fit with my other reading, the author tries to sneak in support of conservative christian ideas. I tend to just ignore these, but they do cloud his description of the subject at hand.]
[NOTE: I forgot to add that I do have one problem with the author and his book: while his criticisms of islam do fit with my other reading, the author tries to sneak in support of conservative christian ideas. I tend to just ignore these, but they do cloud his description of the subject at hand.]
July 21, 2018
While not a complete compendium of Islam, for anyone who is interested in how the current conflict came about and how a group with the same God as Jews and Christians could want to kill you because.. well, God said so..(huuruph?)this is a great place to start.
I think any modern English speaking person is aware that most people do not follow their religion to the letter, bacon egg and cheeses and Saturday traffic at the mall -2 general examples. To pretend that there isn't a significant faction in the world who does follow the letter of this specific law- who has declared war on us as a result - and fired some pretty impressive opening salvos- is preposterous. This is a book that helps us understand why. In contrast to partial quotes we hear in the news- the actual text gives us more insight into the source of the intense hatred we face from zealous believers.
The author does a great job of finishing the partial ideas we find in political rhetoric that seems mutually exclusive of the actions of jihadists. He does a great job of describing how the Koran is written, the hierarchy of the religion, which texts are relevant to non believers who find ourselves embroiled in this conflict and think... why?
I can understand why some people might think it's anti-Muslim- because we're a bunch of PC sissy marys! It does focus on the parts of the Koran most relevant to the non-believer- IE the parts where fanatical believers get their justification and instruction to murder the rest of us. I'm sorry guys- this is relevant. I'm glad most practitioners of Islam skip these passages (or interprit them differently), and I recognize the fact most do, as does the author. I just don't find it as compelling to figure out all of the things about someone's religion that don't specially prescribe my murder vs the parts that do.
The uproar about it being anti Muslim is silly. Then call me anti-Semitic because I say, accurately, Halakhah says pork chops are a no go. It's either accurate translation or not. Yes? Then what? Oh, he didn't skip the not nice parts? He didn't highlight the parts Muslim's who don't want to kill me give priority to? Everyone blames ignorance for prejudice, but we finally have an author who looks to enlighten us with respect to the role religion plays in the current conflict- not as a complete be-all-end all to how to live as a good Muslim- and he is being condemned. Take it for what it is.
If you don't like it, tell Mohammed, but leave Spencer alone.
I think any modern English speaking person is aware that most people do not follow their religion to the letter, bacon egg and cheeses and Saturday traffic at the mall -2 general examples. To pretend that there isn't a significant faction in the world who does follow the letter of this specific law- who has declared war on us as a result - and fired some pretty impressive opening salvos- is preposterous. This is a book that helps us understand why. In contrast to partial quotes we hear in the news- the actual text gives us more insight into the source of the intense hatred we face from zealous believers.
The author does a great job of finishing the partial ideas we find in political rhetoric that seems mutually exclusive of the actions of jihadists. He does a great job of describing how the Koran is written, the hierarchy of the religion, which texts are relevant to non believers who find ourselves embroiled in this conflict and think... why?
I can understand why some people might think it's anti-Muslim- because we're a bunch of PC sissy marys! It does focus on the parts of the Koran most relevant to the non-believer- IE the parts where fanatical believers get their justification and instruction to murder the rest of us. I'm sorry guys- this is relevant. I'm glad most practitioners of Islam skip these passages (or interprit them differently), and I recognize the fact most do, as does the author. I just don't find it as compelling to figure out all of the things about someone's religion that don't specially prescribe my murder vs the parts that do.
The uproar about it being anti Muslim is silly. Then call me anti-Semitic because I say, accurately, Halakhah says pork chops are a no go. It's either accurate translation or not. Yes? Then what? Oh, he didn't skip the not nice parts? He didn't highlight the parts Muslim's who don't want to kill me give priority to? Everyone blames ignorance for prejudice, but we finally have an author who looks to enlighten us with respect to the role religion plays in the current conflict- not as a complete be-all-end all to how to live as a good Muslim- and he is being condemned. Take it for what it is.
If you don't like it, tell Mohammed, but leave Spencer alone.
September 7, 2010
Some facets of this religion are incompatible with our form of government. The Mormons were willing to give up polygamy to live as Americans. Are Muslims willing to give up enough to live in peace with us?
May 15, 2012
Since I am an Infidel, I thought this book would be a good overview of the Koran for me. I have long intended to read the Koran itself, but lose my motivation for three reasons. First, the Koran is not a collection of chronological teachings, but provides bits and pieces of Muhammed's wisdom without context. Also, Islam teaches that the Koran is to be read only in Arabic. Finally, Islam accepts the Koran as incomplete without the illumination of the Hadith, which has no canonically agreed content...some scholars accept only certain Hadith, and others add other commentary. All of these reasons motivated me instead to read a treatise on the Koran first, rather than the book itself. As a Christian, I do not accept the heavenly origin of the Koran, but I try to suspend disbelief and see the teachings through the eyes of those who first received it. It is still easier for me to believe the authenticity of Jewish and Christian Scripture, and see the Koran as a corruption of them, rather than vice-versa, given their length, completeness, dates of origin, proofs of historial veracity, and the very important fact that Jewish and Christian Scripture were written by multiple authors over a long period of time. Enjoying this book.
Finished this one quickly and glad I read it. Lucid discussion of the origin and implications of the Koran. I found it helpful and thought-provoking, and as an "Infidel," I found it fairly even-handed.
Finished this one quickly and glad I read it. Lucid discussion of the origin and implications of the Koran. I found it helpful and thought-provoking, and as an "Infidel," I found it fairly even-handed.
June 8, 2016
The title of this one threw me. I had so much fun reading the "The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion: Mormonism" I thought this was similar. I am a fan of heresy. Not so much of 'infidelity' apparently.
This book reads like a religious argument. It seemed to me to imply: "My religion is true and non-violent while yours is untrue and violent."
I eventually had to look up the author's background to determine if I was reading it incorrectly. Apparently the author is well known for arguments against Islam. I'm not necessarily against that if it's presented fairly. I think my problem is that I think the same arguments Spencer makes against Islam can be made against most religions (especially all the Abrahamic ones). I guess I could see the appeal of these arguments to religious people who are not Muslims but I'm not a member of that group so I found it biased and boring.
This book reads like a religious argument. It seemed to me to imply: "My religion is true and non-violent while yours is untrue and violent."
I eventually had to look up the author's background to determine if I was reading it incorrectly. Apparently the author is well known for arguments against Islam. I'm not necessarily against that if it's presented fairly. I think my problem is that I think the same arguments Spencer makes against Islam can be made against most religions (especially all the Abrahamic ones). I guess I could see the appeal of these arguments to religious people who are not Muslims but I'm not a member of that group so I found it biased and boring.
January 2, 2021
Well researched.. And educating for those not familiar with the contents of the Koran. An extremely important conclusion at the end that the American way has been to ignore the ideology behind the violence and what is taught in Islamic schools. Cut the violence at the root.
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December 17, 2011
A very good critical analysis of the Koran. Spencer illuminates the extent to which western apologists, including President Obama, have sanitized the contractory directives in the Koran. This books contributes well to a larger understanding of wold politics, including why Isreal will never be safe (Jews are called apes and pigs in the Koran), how Pakistan can simultaneously accept aid from the US and harbor/promote anti-US insurgents, and why Islamic totalitarianism continues as the greatest threat faced by the modern world's women. I'm very surprised that Spencer hasn't been targeted for assasination - I guess the book isn't selling well enough. The extent to which writing this book represents an exceptional act of courage demonstrates its point. It's a quick read and though intentionally polemic, it didn't become pedantic.
Read
April 8, 2010It's hard to know how accurate or 'true' this explanation of the Koran is. The translator/author is neither sympathetic or empathetic towards the Koran. But the final chapter might be the most telling as the author chastises President Obama as 'naive' in attempting to have a dialog with Muslims. And proposes that all Muslims be excluded from the US as a matter of self defense.
In other words, this book has an 'agenda' - one I reject.
In other words, this book has an 'agenda' - one I reject.
January 29, 2011
Not what I expected. Well researched and documented, but narrow minded. Documented that the fundamentalist position is intolerant and inherently violent, then jumped to the conclusion that the fundamentalist interpretation is the only valid interpretation. I am glad I read this book (actually, listened to the audiobook), because it provided a different point of view than the one I previously held. But if this were the only point of view available, I think it would be terribly misleading.
November 4, 2014
I have to say that one of the main things I got from this book is how radically different Islam is from Christianity or any other religion. It seems strange that I see so many comments to the contrary here. Either these people read a different book than I did or they haven't actually thoroughly read the Bible as they seem to insinuate they have in their comments.
October 24, 2022
I tried reading the Quran by myself on two different occasions, and I found much of it to be confusing. There are some areas that made no sense to me at all. I wanted to see for myself what it actually says so I can understand what it means to be a good and faithful Muslim. It is so easy to hate people you fear or don’t understand. I don’t want to give into that because I suspect there is so much more than what we hear about in the media these days. I’ve been struggling with the idea that if my Muslim friends tell me that their religion is one of peace, there must be some justification somewhere for so many other people to wage jihad, claiming that they are the true believers. Without understanding their Scriptures, it’s impossible for a western or like me to know what is true or how to proceed. I felt completely stumpped, so I picked up this book for help.
I could never reconcile the fact so many Muslims are willing to use terrorism and jihad while other Muslims told me that there’s is a religion of peace. I was told that between 10 and 20% of Muslims are in the jihad camp, and I was told that there are around 2 billion Muslims worldwide. 10% of 2 billion is 200 million, and that’s a lot of angry, violent people out there. Now that I understand the Koran a little better, I think there is some truth to both positions. I am also starting to understand why I don’t see many of the Muslims who say their religion is a peaceful one pushing back on those who are waging jihad. I would assume that there is a lot of fear, and maybe also some willingness to understand where these people are coming from scripturally. The situation is far more nuanced than the little soundbites on the news make it seem. That makes sense if I think about how fractured the Christian denominations are as well.
I have also come to understand that some of the extreme positions taken in countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia are not literally consistent with the Quran. The Quran is also more nuanced than I knew when it comes to relations with Christians and Jews.
So I guess what I’m saying is that I am learning some things, and there is still a lot that I don’t know. I’m far from an expert, but I feel a little more enlightened than when I was trying to read the Quran by myself.
I could never reconcile the fact so many Muslims are willing to use terrorism and jihad while other Muslims told me that there’s is a religion of peace. I was told that between 10 and 20% of Muslims are in the jihad camp, and I was told that there are around 2 billion Muslims worldwide. 10% of 2 billion is 200 million, and that’s a lot of angry, violent people out there. Now that I understand the Koran a little better, I think there is some truth to both positions. I am also starting to understand why I don’t see many of the Muslims who say their religion is a peaceful one pushing back on those who are waging jihad. I would assume that there is a lot of fear, and maybe also some willingness to understand where these people are coming from scripturally. The situation is far more nuanced than the little soundbites on the news make it seem. That makes sense if I think about how fractured the Christian denominations are as well.
I have also come to understand that some of the extreme positions taken in countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia are not literally consistent with the Quran. The Quran is also more nuanced than I knew when it comes to relations with Christians and Jews.
So I guess what I’m saying is that I am learning some things, and there is still a lot that I don’t know. I’m far from an expert, but I feel a little more enlightened than when I was trying to read the Quran by myself.
February 6, 2010
Spencer himself believes his book will be branded as "anti-Islamic", "bigoted," "hateful," and "Islamophobic" because much of the information contained in his book in regards to how the Koran should treat infidels is very negative. He addresses these accusations of hate-mongering directly in his first chapter arguing that the accuracy of his guide account of the Koran's contents can be easily verified. And if Spencer's guide is accurate, than it can't be an act of "hatred" or "bigotry".
Spencer's aim it to create a "guide designed for those who do not believe in Islam, to help them understand why Islamic terrorism and supremacism continue to threaten the United States and so many other countries around the world".
I believe Spencer is not prejudiced or hateful. Rather, after much careful study Spencer found many elements of Islam that displeased and even frightened him. I believe Spencer succeeded in presenting a balanced work, in part because he included extensive translations. Particularly when addressing the most controversial subjects, like Islam's treatment of women, Spencer included no fewer than two commonly used translations, and often more, to allow his readers to compare the precise wording of the Koran's commandments.
I found this book informative, persuasive and kinda scary.
Spencer's aim it to create a "guide designed for those who do not believe in Islam, to help them understand why Islamic terrorism and supremacism continue to threaten the United States and so many other countries around the world".
I believe Spencer is not prejudiced or hateful. Rather, after much careful study Spencer found many elements of Islam that displeased and even frightened him. I believe Spencer succeeded in presenting a balanced work, in part because he included extensive translations. Particularly when addressing the most controversial subjects, like Islam's treatment of women, Spencer included no fewer than two commonly used translations, and often more, to allow his readers to compare the precise wording of the Koran's commandments.
I found this book informative, persuasive and kinda scary.
September 1, 2018
If you have a sincere desire to learn about Islam in an objective manner this is NOT the book for you. The author is not a scholar, cherry picks verses and translations, and is rather glib about his analysis about what the Quran teaches the 1.8 billion muslims worldwide.
Basically he says "You don't need to read the whole Quran, just look at these violent verses, they are not taken out of context because look at these other violent verses. Yes, the Quran has some verses about how peace is better but it doesn't really mean that because here are some other verses that cancel those out. Therefore, even if a majority of all muslims are peaceful they agree with those that are violent or else they don't really understand their religion. Oh and this isn't islamophobic at all because everything I'm saying is straight from the book."
As someone who has read the whole Quran and who knows hundreds of muslims, I find the authors attempt to explain the Quran to "infidels" lazy and very much incomplete despite the title's claim but, if all you want to do is confirm your biases then it does accomplish that very well.
Basically he says "You don't need to read the whole Quran, just look at these violent verses, they are not taken out of context because look at these other violent verses. Yes, the Quran has some verses about how peace is better but it doesn't really mean that because here are some other verses that cancel those out. Therefore, even if a majority of all muslims are peaceful they agree with those that are violent or else they don't really understand their religion. Oh and this isn't islamophobic at all because everything I'm saying is straight from the book."
As someone who has read the whole Quran and who knows hundreds of muslims, I find the authors attempt to explain the Quran to "infidels" lazy and very much incomplete despite the title's claim but, if all you want to do is confirm your biases then it does accomplish that very well.
February 1, 2014
Goodreads needs to add the tag "abandoned" to their want to, currently, or read list. Abandoning a book is something I rarely do, but I could take no more of this book after three chapters. I was expecting a book that informed the reader about the Koran not denigrated it through subtle wording and snide remarks. I found the writing style and word choice not only insulting to my intelligence but also disrespectful. I am a Christian and have no intentions of converting to another religion, but I did want to learn about and get an unbiased account of the Koran. I believe that God gave me the intelligence to look at straightforward facts and make decisions thereof. I do not need someone else to try and convince me through underhanded and biased presentation. I can only hope that if someone from another religion decides to read about God's Holy Bible and selects a book to describe it, they he/she would find a book that is written respectfully of the topic. And if not, they would likewise abandon that book.
May 23, 2016
I felt this book was both true and biased at the same time.
I did learn a lot about the contents of the Koran and though he said that he read the Koran so you wouldn't have to read this book just made me want to read the Koran so that I could really see what is written in it myself. He gives some viable comments and queries, sometimes I feel like I need a second opinion. It was an interesting read.
I did learn a lot about the contents of the Koran and though he said that he read the Koran so you wouldn't have to read this book just made me want to read the Koran so that I could really see what is written in it myself. He gives some viable comments and queries, sometimes I feel like I need a second opinion. It was an interesting read.
May 15, 2010
A lot of great insight in this book about the Koran, looking at all the different English translations and the variety of interpretations of Koranic teaching. Even looks at an Obama speech that quotes the Koran... I wonder if anyone told him the next line after the one he quoted? Basically he quoted a line of love thy neighbor... but the very next line is if HE is Muslim... Jews and Christians can suck a lemon.
June 1, 2015
Required reading for the 21st century
Spencer dissects the Koran without the lens of political correctness in this quick read. The notion that Islam is a religion of peace and only a few outliers hold radical views simply does not hold up in the light of the Koran's own suras and the even more extreme hadiths. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the importance of separating government and religion, which is wholly antithetical to Islam.
Spencer dissects the Koran without the lens of political correctness in this quick read. The notion that Islam is a religion of peace and only a few outliers hold radical views simply does not hold up in the light of the Koran's own suras and the even more extreme hadiths. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the importance of separating government and religion, which is wholly antithetical to Islam.
September 12, 2014
Great information that I am sure many people do not know. Pretty much clears up the confusion between why some say the Koran promoted peace and those that say it does not. Shows plenty of examples of how political leaders use out of context quotes to promote their beliefs about the Koran, and delves into the history, formation, and practices of the Koran.
March 31, 2011
I enjoyed this book very much. I was looking for a book that broke down the Koran in terms that I could understand. Although this book was written by Robert Spencer, who is not Muslim, it was quite interesting to hear his point of view. I suggest anyone who reads this book should intend to read a book on the same subject matter written from the perspective of a Muslim author.
April 27, 2017
Worthwhile read
The author does an admirable job that lays out key points of concern about Islam. His style is mostly irenic though at times his sarcasm is discernible. By far the most helpful aspect of the book is the use of Islamic sources, all of which are fastidiously noted. This makes the task of anyone who wishes to delve deeper on Islam much easier in finding sources.
The author does an admirable job that lays out key points of concern about Islam. His style is mostly irenic though at times his sarcasm is discernible. By far the most helpful aspect of the book is the use of Islamic sources, all of which are fastidiously noted. This makes the task of anyone who wishes to delve deeper on Islam much easier in finding sources.
August 6, 2011
Pretty interesting, light-hearted study of the Koran for Western readers, mostly underscoring the differences. I learned a lot about Islam I didn't know.
July 8, 2013
This author and his books are quite famous and critisized both among Muslims (and this is understandable) and among Westerners (which want to break the Islam-related chain of violence and hatred). I would agree with the said Westerners previously; although, after reading the book, I have big reservations about it. In short, the author is very convincing and rational in his arguments, and I have nothing against them. However, I feel desperation now: it's very soothing to think about inevitable peace in the world and "just little misunderstandings and isolated nasty accidents" (as the said Westerners mostly do), but it's very scary to realize the insurmountable differences between Islamic and non-Islamic cultures and understand that it is impossible to achive any peaceful coexistence. At least, the book gives all grounds to think about it.
The main problem of Westerners' perception of Islam and Muslim culture is that we try to think about it through the prism of our own cultural traditions and believes. We think that every religion should be peaceful and demand increasing goodness in the world, not evil. So, we think about Islam in such terms exactly. We translate our own moral on aliens, and this can be deadly for us. We read Koran and see there a lot of wise words about peace and goodness -- that's it, we think, that's it!!! Islam is a peaceful religion, and we must respect it. What about terrorism, oppression of human rights, bigotry? Ah, we say, this is "just little misunderstandings and isolated nasty accidents"! We also had our own problems with religions and religion-related issues, all those sectarians and isolated fanatics and so on. So we should treat Muslims with utmost respect and tolerance. Right? Right?!
That's the root of all our problems with failure of multi-cultural society. Islam is an inherently agressive religion. Muslim faith does not understand and does not accept any other faithes, as well as atheism. Koran not only demands to persecute and kill all "infidels" (yes, yes, kill in the very sence of the word, these are words of Koran, and Muslims take them literally); it's also regards the very existence of "infidels" as an impediment to spread of Islam in the world -- and this is, in Koran's terms, a very strong justification for active war against all non-Muslims. This is their "defence" strategy.
I saw a lot of articles and TED-talks where speakers tryed to discuss Koran in peaceful terms. That is: I read Koran, and it says a lot about peace; or: I know a lot of Muslims, and they are peaceful and kind people. Just recently I saw this TED-talk, for example: Lesley Hazleton | The doubt essential to faith with the following words: "And yet we, the vast and still far too silent majority, have ceded the public arena to this extremist minority. We've allowed Judaism to be claimed by violently messianic West Bank settlers, Christianity by homophobic hypocrites and misogynistic bigots, Islam by suicide bombers. And we've allowed ourselves to be blinded to the fact that no matter whether they claim to be Christians, Jews or Muslims, militant extremists are none of the above. They're a cult all their own, blood brothers steeped in other people's blood.
This isn't faith. It's fanaticism, and we have to stop confusing the two. We have to recognize that real faith has no easy answers. It's difficult and stubborn. It involves an ongoing struggle, a continual questioning of what we think we know, a wrestling with issues and ideas. It goes hand in hand with doubt, in a never-ending conversation with it, and sometimes in conscious defiance of it."
Yeah, yeah, yeah... Very strong message, to which all the Westerners sympathize unconditionally. This is very typical rhetoric of Westerners about Koran and Islam. The problem is that we are trying to judge about things we do not understand and do not want understand. We do not want understand the whole Islam. We want understand only the peaceful part of it. But this is not the whole Islam, oh no.
All these phenomena are explicitly discussed in the Robert Spencer's book. I agree with him completely. How cannot I?
"For a lesson in the hazards of not understanding the Koran, let's look at President Obama's June 4,2009, Cairo address to the Muslim world. Filled with reverential references to the supposedly compassionate teachings of the "holy Koran," the speech serves as an abject lesson in the wishful thinking, self-delusion, and political correctness that pervades Western assumptions about Islamic scripture.
In praising the Koran's ostensibly peaceful teachings, Obama cited verse 5:32: "The Holy Koran," said the President, "teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind." This sounds peaceful enough, but Obama studiously ignored the next verse (5:33), which mandates punishment for those whom Muslims do not regard as "innocent" -- punishments including crucifixion or amputation of a hand and a foot for those who fight against Allah and Muhammad. The axiom against killing innocents, as we will see in chapter three, came from the Jewish tradition; in the Koranic passage, however, it becomes a warning of dire earthly punishment for those Jews who resist Muhammad and his religion.
Obama also quoted a Koranic verse (9:119) that supposedly supports his call for inter-religious tolerance:
"As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." That is what I will try to do-to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart."
Once again, this Koranic passage is actually about fighting unbelievers, and doesn't remotely advocate peaceful coexistence. One principal English translation, that of Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall, renders the verse this way: "O ye who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful."
The passage continues:
"It is not for the townsfolk of Al-Madinah and for those around them of the wandering Arabs to stay behind the messenger of Allah and prefer their lives to his life. That is because neither thirst nor toil nor hunger afflicteth them in the way of Allah, nor step they any step that angereth the disbelievers, nor gain they from the enemy a gain, but a good deed is recorded for them therefor. Lo! Allah loseth not the wages of the good. Nor spend they any spending, small or great, nor do they cross a valley, but it is recorded for them, that Allah may repay them the best of what they used to do. And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware. O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). (9:120-23)"
This is just an example from the prologue. The book overall is a meticulous analysis of Koran ideas and messages. I highly recommend to read it, especially if you still think that Islam is a peaceful religion, the one with which Christianity, Judaism, or atheism can coexist. With which you personally can coexist as a non-Muslim.Good luck to you then... Koran teaches violence ("slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush," etc), and deception, and holy war against all unbelievers. Koran teaches "to defence" the religion from infidelity by killing "infidels" proactively -- this is Muslims view on "defence," yes. Koran teaches inferiority of women, and calls Christians and Jews "monkies" and "pigs." And Koran is not just an analogue of our Holy Bible, which you can read and thumb and cite at your own will, but live according to the official legislation of your country. Koran is still highly reverred, and it's politically and socially inacceptable to "misunderstand" Koran and do something inconsistent with its words.
"The book is to be treated with the deepest reverence. Muslims consider it so holy that they are not to touch a Koran unless they are in a state of ritual purity; non-Muslims, according to Islamic law, are not supposed to touch it at all except under strictly defined circumstances. And the failure to show proper respect for a Koran, anywhere in the world, can be fatal -- a false report in Newsweek magazine in 2005 that U.S. military interrogators at Guantanamo Bay had flushed a Koran down a toilet sparked rioting in Muslim countries, resulting in at least fifteen deaths."
All this is very, very sad. But it is a necessary starting point; you should not lie to yourself...
The main problem of Westerners' perception of Islam and Muslim culture is that we try to think about it through the prism of our own cultural traditions and believes. We think that every religion should be peaceful and demand increasing goodness in the world, not evil. So, we think about Islam in such terms exactly. We translate our own moral on aliens, and this can be deadly for us. We read Koran and see there a lot of wise words about peace and goodness -- that's it, we think, that's it!!! Islam is a peaceful religion, and we must respect it. What about terrorism, oppression of human rights, bigotry? Ah, we say, this is "just little misunderstandings and isolated nasty accidents"! We also had our own problems with religions and religion-related issues, all those sectarians and isolated fanatics and so on. So we should treat Muslims with utmost respect and tolerance. Right? Right?!
That's the root of all our problems with failure of multi-cultural society. Islam is an inherently agressive religion. Muslim faith does not understand and does not accept any other faithes, as well as atheism. Koran not only demands to persecute and kill all "infidels" (yes, yes, kill in the very sence of the word, these are words of Koran, and Muslims take them literally); it's also regards the very existence of "infidels" as an impediment to spread of Islam in the world -- and this is, in Koran's terms, a very strong justification for active war against all non-Muslims. This is their "defence" strategy.
I saw a lot of articles and TED-talks where speakers tryed to discuss Koran in peaceful terms. That is: I read Koran, and it says a lot about peace; or: I know a lot of Muslims, and they are peaceful and kind people. Just recently I saw this TED-talk, for example: Lesley Hazleton | The doubt essential to faith with the following words: "And yet we, the vast and still far too silent majority, have ceded the public arena to this extremist minority. We've allowed Judaism to be claimed by violently messianic West Bank settlers, Christianity by homophobic hypocrites and misogynistic bigots, Islam by suicide bombers. And we've allowed ourselves to be blinded to the fact that no matter whether they claim to be Christians, Jews or Muslims, militant extremists are none of the above. They're a cult all their own, blood brothers steeped in other people's blood.
This isn't faith. It's fanaticism, and we have to stop confusing the two. We have to recognize that real faith has no easy answers. It's difficult and stubborn. It involves an ongoing struggle, a continual questioning of what we think we know, a wrestling with issues and ideas. It goes hand in hand with doubt, in a never-ending conversation with it, and sometimes in conscious defiance of it."
Yeah, yeah, yeah... Very strong message, to which all the Westerners sympathize unconditionally. This is very typical rhetoric of Westerners about Koran and Islam. The problem is that we are trying to judge about things we do not understand and do not want understand. We do not want understand the whole Islam. We want understand only the peaceful part of it. But this is not the whole Islam, oh no.
All these phenomena are explicitly discussed in the Robert Spencer's book. I agree with him completely. How cannot I?
"For a lesson in the hazards of not understanding the Koran, let's look at President Obama's June 4,2009, Cairo address to the Muslim world. Filled with reverential references to the supposedly compassionate teachings of the "holy Koran," the speech serves as an abject lesson in the wishful thinking, self-delusion, and political correctness that pervades Western assumptions about Islamic scripture.
In praising the Koran's ostensibly peaceful teachings, Obama cited verse 5:32: "The Holy Koran," said the President, "teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind." This sounds peaceful enough, but Obama studiously ignored the next verse (5:33), which mandates punishment for those whom Muslims do not regard as "innocent" -- punishments including crucifixion or amputation of a hand and a foot for those who fight against Allah and Muhammad. The axiom against killing innocents, as we will see in chapter three, came from the Jewish tradition; in the Koranic passage, however, it becomes a warning of dire earthly punishment for those Jews who resist Muhammad and his religion.
Obama also quoted a Koranic verse (9:119) that supposedly supports his call for inter-religious tolerance:
"As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." That is what I will try to do-to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart."
Once again, this Koranic passage is actually about fighting unbelievers, and doesn't remotely advocate peaceful coexistence. One principal English translation, that of Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall, renders the verse this way: "O ye who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful."
The passage continues:
"It is not for the townsfolk of Al-Madinah and for those around them of the wandering Arabs to stay behind the messenger of Allah and prefer their lives to his life. That is because neither thirst nor toil nor hunger afflicteth them in the way of Allah, nor step they any step that angereth the disbelievers, nor gain they from the enemy a gain, but a good deed is recorded for them therefor. Lo! Allah loseth not the wages of the good. Nor spend they any spending, small or great, nor do they cross a valley, but it is recorded for them, that Allah may repay them the best of what they used to do. And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware. O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). (9:120-23)"
This is just an example from the prologue. The book overall is a meticulous analysis of Koran ideas and messages. I highly recommend to read it, especially if you still think that Islam is a peaceful religion, the one with which Christianity, Judaism, or atheism can coexist. With which you personally can coexist as a non-Muslim.
"The book is to be treated with the deepest reverence. Muslims consider it so holy that they are not to touch a Koran unless they are in a state of ritual purity; non-Muslims, according to Islamic law, are not supposed to touch it at all except under strictly defined circumstances. And the failure to show proper respect for a Koran, anywhere in the world, can be fatal -- a false report in Newsweek magazine in 2005 that U.S. military interrogators at Guantanamo Bay had flushed a Koran down a toilet sparked rioting in Muslim countries, resulting in at least fifteen deaths."
All this is very, very sad. But it is a necessary starting point; you should not lie to yourself...
August 13, 2020
One man's hate-filled rant against the followers of the world's second most popular religion followed by an even more hate-filled rant against the religion itself. Spencer starts with a well-researched attack on the Koran's status as a sacred book and then proceeds to use the goodwill that he has earned as a weapon aimed at the hearts, and minds of the neutral reader in an attempt to create enemies of Islam. This is well-researched hate speech that tries to draw a direct line from well-intentioned words written centuries ago to violent actions taken by extremists in the present. If this book had been written about Christians and Christianity it would be burned in most of the cities of the United States and Spencer's legal right to free expression would be ignored by the massive boycott of any larger corporation affiliated with the words of such an intelligent bigot.
September 9, 2022
Muslim allies are happy to brand people as islamophobes but if you bother reading the book it is all legit. Spencer quotes quran and hadith so muslims have no other tactic but call him hateful. for those who want a fair presentation this is it. People with quranophilia (excessive love for quran) like Karen Armstrong give sugar-coated versions of the harsh truth: whatever spreads the community of believers is justified. Allah said it to justify why muhammad and his muslims raided and killed caravans passing by Mecca.
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February 4, 2011I listened to the audio book driving to and from work over a period of a number of days. It's 7CDs - 8 hours so it must have taken 2 or 3 weeks. Given that driving doesn't always allow you to pay full attention to the "book" I learned a number of things; mostly that the Koran doesn't seem that different than the Bible, nor Islam than Christianity. In the words of -- I think it was Jerry Maguire -- "Can't we all just get along?"
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