A scholarly review in International Journal of Kurdish Studies reported that 'uch clarity is a welcome and refreshing antidote to the endless obfuscations that emanate from partisans on both sides of the issue.' Īlso, Muslim journalist Reihan Salam called the book 'fascinating', and he has said that he considers it to be one of the most important books of the decade. Professor and author Noah Feldman called it 'legant, accessible, and informed by historical scholarship' and 'a wonderful view into the rich world of early Islam'. Journalist Fareed Zakaria called the book 'a textured, nuanced account that presents a living, breathing religion shaped by centuries of history and culture'. The Los Angeles Times dubbed it a 'favorite book of the year'. The book was chosen 'Best Book of the Year' in its category by the Financial Times. The notion that historical context should play no role in the interpretation of the Quran – that what applied to Muhammad's community applies to all Muslim communities for all time – is simply an untenable position in every sense. Īccording to Aslan, Islam is experiencing a struggle between individualistic reform and traditional clerical authority similar to that which took place during the 16th-century Reformation in Christianity. Aslan focuses primarily on the early practices of Islam, but he also discusses life within the Abbasid Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and in the modern Muslim World. It argues that the Quran does not order the veiling of women and that the concept of jihad was intended to be solely defensive. Over all, the book covers the history of Islam from the point of view of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad as a social reformer struggling for egalitarianism between people.

For example, one chapter is entirely dedicated to the issue of jihad. Contents Įach chapter of the book covers a specific topic within Islam. Īccording to conservative columnist Reihan Salam, the book has received a favorable response within the Muslim world. It blames Western imperialism and self-serving misinterpretations of Islamic law by past scholars for the current controversies within Islam, challenging the ' clash of civilizations' thesis. The book describes the history of Islam and argues for a liberal interpretation of the religion. No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam is a 2005 non-fiction book written by Iranian-American Muslim scholar Reza Aslan.

No god but God by Reza Aslan