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In the Shadow of the Prophet: The Struggle for the Soul of Islam
In his new book, In the Shadow of the Prophet, journalist and Middle East commentator Viorst tackles head-on the struggle throughout the Middle East to reconcile Islamic law and beliefs with political power in the modern world.
As the world has now seen in Iran, Sudan, in Algeria and increasingly in Egypt, among other countries, there has been a rising tide of fundamentalism intent on overturning moderate or secular government to create in its place an Islamic state based on the laws of the shari'a-the ancient moral, legal, and religious code of Muhammad's time. Conservative traditionalist governments such as Saudi Arabia insist the Islamic principles guide the actions and thought of all citizens, banning government criticism, religious tolerance, most freedoms of expression, and any comments deemed critical of Islam. But many others feel Islam must find a way to accept and integrate science, technology, and the principles of toleration, if not democracy, into Islamic life. It pains Muslims enormously that the Middle East has lagged far behind the West, and even the emerging third world nations, in terms of its technology, military power, economic might, and general standards of living.
In its examination of the struggle for the direction of Islam in many Muslim nations, In the Shadow of the Prophet reveals the intellectual and theological straightjacket by which traditional Islam has constrained the Middle East, and what that means to the future of the region-and to us in the West.
As the world has now seen in Iran, Sudan, in Algeria and increasingly in Egypt, among other countries, there has been a rising tide of fundamentalism intent on overturning moderate or secular government to create in its place an Islamic state based on the laws of the shari'a-the ancient moral, legal, and religious code of Muhammad's time. Conservative traditionalist governments such as Saudi Arabia insist the Islamic principles guide the actions and thought of all citizens, banning government criticism, religious tolerance, most freedoms of expression, and any comments deemed critical of Islam. But many others feel Islam must find a way to accept and integrate science, technology, and the principles of toleration, if not democracy, into Islamic life. It pains Muslims enormously that the Middle East has lagged far behind the West, and even the emerging third world nations, in terms of its technology, military power, economic might, and general standards of living.
In its examination of the struggle for the direction of Islam in many Muslim nations, In the Shadow of the Prophet reveals the intellectual and theological straightjacket by which traditional Islam has constrained the Middle East, and what that means to the future of the region-and to us in the West.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Milton Viorst
33 books4 followersMilton Viorst was an American journalist who wrote and reported on the Middle East, writing in a series of publications, most notably The New Yorker. He wrote ten books over the course of his career.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 14, 2014
I got this book from Amazon because it got high rating from other readers on this website. I arranged to have it delivered to my IL during my last visit to the US. However, when i got there my FIL had started reading it thinking it was a gift for him. That was awkward. As i did not have the luxury of time to order another for myself, i took possession of the book and ordered him another one.
Although my FIL had only started reading a couple of pages of the book when i arrived, he was not too confident about a book written by a Jew no less, based in the US about a culture and faith that is not his own. I did not know this when I bought the book online, but quickly thought what better way to understand my own faith, than from a perspective of an outsider.
My FIL finished the book around christmas and i think he changed his mind. He thought the book was interesting. I started reading around the same time. Browsing through it, i thought it would be dry and boring as it looked like a geopolitical assessment of the subject.
It was a geopolitical assessment of the subject, but I must say having read it from cover to cover; an interesting one. Never mind if Milton is jewish. Never mind if i find myself saying out loud to him that certain passages in the Quran is not to be interpreted 'that way'.
The book essentially is a compilation of Milton's interview with various 'islamic' personalities over a period of time. Islamic personalities that represents various regimes that had grabbed the world headlines and in the process presents to the world their little philosophy of what islam is in their perspective. And sadly, people believed! I must admit that I too was duped by these approaches which at the end of the day is just a means for these personalities to wrest and hang on to temporal power. What is being preached is not really true to heart faith.
In a nut shell, the book described the political struggles of those using islam for power in egypt, iran, algeria, saudi, france and jordan.
Jordan is unique because the monarchy is a direct descendant of the prophet himself. And it is interesting that those from the prophet's family displays the most moderate view points. I agree with KH when upon repetitive reading of the Quran nothing in the book supports the violence incited by those who professes to defend islam and muslims. It is too bad that the voices that incites violence are almost always louder than those that appeals to reason.
This books tells many story. To those not of the faith, such as my FIL, it tells that the islam you see on tv and news is pure politics and struggle for power.
For those of the faith, it should open your eyes to what muslims today are being fed; and that we have the option to chose the road of true faith instead of that is littered with worldly politics.
Although my FIL had only started reading a couple of pages of the book when i arrived, he was not too confident about a book written by a Jew no less, based in the US about a culture and faith that is not his own. I did not know this when I bought the book online, but quickly thought what better way to understand my own faith, than from a perspective of an outsider.
My FIL finished the book around christmas and i think he changed his mind. He thought the book was interesting. I started reading around the same time. Browsing through it, i thought it would be dry and boring as it looked like a geopolitical assessment of the subject.
It was a geopolitical assessment of the subject, but I must say having read it from cover to cover; an interesting one. Never mind if Milton is jewish. Never mind if i find myself saying out loud to him that certain passages in the Quran is not to be interpreted 'that way'.
The book essentially is a compilation of Milton's interview with various 'islamic' personalities over a period of time. Islamic personalities that represents various regimes that had grabbed the world headlines and in the process presents to the world their little philosophy of what islam is in their perspective. And sadly, people believed! I must admit that I too was duped by these approaches which at the end of the day is just a means for these personalities to wrest and hang on to temporal power. What is being preached is not really true to heart faith.
In a nut shell, the book described the political struggles of those using islam for power in egypt, iran, algeria, saudi, france and jordan.
Jordan is unique because the monarchy is a direct descendant of the prophet himself. And it is interesting that those from the prophet's family displays the most moderate view points. I agree with KH when upon repetitive reading of the Quran nothing in the book supports the violence incited by those who professes to defend islam and muslims. It is too bad that the voices that incites violence are almost always louder than those that appeals to reason.
This books tells many story. To those not of the faith, such as my FIL, it tells that the islam you see on tv and news is pure politics and struggle for power.
For those of the faith, it should open your eyes to what muslims today are being fed; and that we have the option to chose the road of true faith instead of that is littered with worldly politics.
April 6, 2016
This is my first ever book I've read that deals with Islam so anyone who reads this review should consider that factor. I thought the book was fair, complete with differing viewpoints from various practitioners of the faith as well as some non-Muslim analysis. The book provides a spectrum of countries where and how the faith is practiced such as Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria and France. Based on the book, there are multiple perceptions on how the faith is and should be practiced.
There is a bit of history on the beginning of Islam, beginning with the Arab world prior to Muhammad, how he transformed his society and spread his faith. It also deals with Islam 19s immediate aftermath after his death and the struggles it was endured. The book discusses the various reasons attributed to Muslim and Arab culture lagging behind several other societies and the possible remedies to correct the situation.
There are several interviews and insights provided by diverse figures, from imams to King Hussein of Jordan.
There is a bit of history on the beginning of Islam, beginning with the Arab world prior to Muhammad, how he transformed his society and spread his faith. It also deals with Islam 19s immediate aftermath after his death and the struggles it was endured. The book discusses the various reasons attributed to Muslim and Arab culture lagging behind several other societies and the possible remedies to correct the situation.
There are several interviews and insights provided by diverse figures, from imams to King Hussein of Jordan.
November 7, 2011
Post 9/11 --like so many others --I wanted to learn more about the culture and history of the region of the world that had spawned this event. In the Shadow of the Prophet is a terrific introduction to the the history of Islam from conception right up to modern times. I highly recommend it.
February 1, 2009
gained extremely valuable insight into the Islamic conflicts and terror roots
May 25, 2012
Fascinating read of a different perspective of how Islam is interpreted and how that varies over the different Arab countries.
July 24, 2012
If you want an insight into why Islamic societies will never prosper, read this.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews