Being Muslim today Reclaiming the faith from orthodoxy and islamophobia

Contemporary Muslims are a more-than-diverse group. London School of Economics and Political Science Fellow Qureshi here explores assumptions made about being Muslim and questions of identity that contemporary Muslims often ask one another. The first part of the book explores the scriptures and early history of Islam in an effort to contextualize the teaching and fundamental beliefs of the religion. Qureshi's discussion is rooted in available historical evidence and takes into account conflicting interpretations. Woven into this narrative are strands on the burden of orthodoxy, but the author's main focus is on discovering Islam's essential spirit, laying the groundwork that this essence could serve as a basis for binding all Muslims. The second part focuses on answering questions of Muslim identity, leaning towards broad, inclusive criteria that tolerate differences of opinion and practice. Qureshi explores the idea that it's impossible to follow Islam while embracing Western culture, suggesting this is a false dichotomy. He also interrogates what Muslims "should" believe and do and ultimately advocates for following one's conscience. Overall, Qureshi promotes a moderate and inclusive view of contemporary Islam, with the intellectual underpinnings to support it.

A critical assessment of modern Islam. In trying to shape his son's understanding of Islam, Qureshi, author of The Broken Contract, began a journey of exploration that led him to realize how modern Islamic orthodoxy, on one hand, and Islamophobia, on the other, had warped perceptions of Islam into something it is not. The author introduces lay readers to the history of the religion, humanizes its original adherents, and clarifies the message of the Qur'an, countering the messages of ossified leaders and bigoted detractors. Qureshi uses much of the same historical and literary criticism techniques that theology scholars have used since the 1800s in examining the origins of Christianity. The author reclaims Muhammad, his contemporaries, and his immediate heirs from the fundamentalist viewpoint of perfection, clearly demonstrating their humanity and even frailty. He shows these early leaders as people capable of doubt and discord, as opposed to the infallible saints of legend. Similarly, the author demonstrates that the Qur'an and the hadiths of Muhammad have far more nebulous origins than many present-day religious leaders would allow. Qureshi recognizes that many of his explanations of Islam are not only unpopular, but even dangerous. "There is a lot of content in this book alone that if you were to publicly state in a Muslim-majority country, you could easily end up behind bars, beaten, or killed," he writes. "There's not a lot of breathing space there to challenge orthodoxy." Yet Qureshi believes an open-minded approach to Islam is imperative for its message to resonate with future generations. The author uses an informal, even lighthearted, style backed up by solid research. Readers would be well served by following up this book with Mohamad Jebara's The Life of the Qur'an, a deeper dive into the origins of Islam. A brave and challenging message for 21st-century Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.