Mother of the Believers
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Book Type: Paperback
Helpful Score: 1
I have read the Jewel of Medina, and found the controversial issues so well handled I went on to read its sequel the Sword of Medina. I was amazed how well and with such clarity has the author presented the subject, without a single hint of criticism of Islam, yet presenting all the dilemmas facing the religion at that time.
This book caught my eye, and I thought, why not read another account of Aisha and Muhammad. If it is half well written as the Jewel of Medina, it will be a fascinating read. When I opened the book and read the authors notes, all kinds of red flags popped out. The most notable is the authors subtle insults to Christianity (please note that I'm not follower of any organized religion, and speak as uninterested party). Most notedly the notes implying Christianity is a less substantial religion then Islam, since there are very few documents in existence about Jesus. The other rather big issue she touches upon is comparing the "holly conception" (please read that as: without physical intercourse) of the 12 year old Marry, to the marriage of a 9 year old to a 40+ year old man, going further to imply that we cannot place today's value on a practice that was common at the time, and therefore acceptable. She is correct, except for the fact that modern Muslims interpret Mohammad's life literally and therefore find it acceptable to marry adolescent girls and 9year old child brides based on his example in this day and age, which the author notedly ignores.
The book went on in the same spirit of euphemism about the glory of Islam, while totally ignoring the issues where medieval practices common and accepted at that time period, which we are told not to take out of context or the time period, are still practiced today, to the dismay of the western world. Sadly the west misguidedly protects Islam as "cultural heritage" and 'religion'. Where in fact Islam is a political movement spanning many countries and cultures. People daring to voice criticisms about Islam's violation of the human rights and the US constitution are often labeled "islamophobic" an empty word implying irrational fear of Islam even if the voices come from the victims of Islam's cruelty to women, such as the the genital cutting, case in point: Hirsi Ali.
Critics of some of the medieval practises are sued to ruin by CAIR, the major Islamic non-profit organization in the US, (and notedly listed fifth on the 2014 Saudi Arabia's list of terrorists organizations) with the intention to silence any criticism in the name of tolerance and free speech, and if that doesn't work, then the label of islamophobia is applied. CAIR has threatened the author of the Jewel of Medina and had gotten every publisher except for one to halt the book from being printed. This book about Muhammad, received a favorable review by CAIR, which in it self raises all sorts of questions, most notedly why praise this book and denounce the Jewel of Medina. The answer lies in the subtle presentation of facts in each book. Jewel of medina is historically accurate, brutal, and is not always presenting the early Muslims in their best light, while the Mother of Believers glorifies Islam, and subtly indoctrinates the reader.
If you want a clear, sane and unbiased story about Aisha, get the Jewel of Medina. Stay away from this glorified propaganda endorsed by an organization with ties to known terrorists, an organization refusing to condemn the 9/11 attacks, beyond saying they are sorry for the "innocent" lives lost, but not explaining that their charter only considers "innocents" to be good Muslims, all others are infidels a.e. Enemies.
This book caught my eye, and I thought, why not read another account of Aisha and Muhammad. If it is half well written as the Jewel of Medina, it will be a fascinating read. When I opened the book and read the authors notes, all kinds of red flags popped out. The most notable is the authors subtle insults to Christianity (please note that I'm not follower of any organized religion, and speak as uninterested party). Most notedly the notes implying Christianity is a less substantial religion then Islam, since there are very few documents in existence about Jesus. The other rather big issue she touches upon is comparing the "holly conception" (please read that as: without physical intercourse) of the 12 year old Marry, to the marriage of a 9 year old to a 40+ year old man, going further to imply that we cannot place today's value on a practice that was common at the time, and therefore acceptable. She is correct, except for the fact that modern Muslims interpret Mohammad's life literally and therefore find it acceptable to marry adolescent girls and 9year old child brides based on his example in this day and age, which the author notedly ignores.
The book went on in the same spirit of euphemism about the glory of Islam, while totally ignoring the issues where medieval practices common and accepted at that time period, which we are told not to take out of context or the time period, are still practiced today, to the dismay of the western world. Sadly the west misguidedly protects Islam as "cultural heritage" and 'religion'. Where in fact Islam is a political movement spanning many countries and cultures. People daring to voice criticisms about Islam's violation of the human rights and the US constitution are often labeled "islamophobic" an empty word implying irrational fear of Islam even if the voices come from the victims of Islam's cruelty to women, such as the the genital cutting, case in point: Hirsi Ali.
Critics of some of the medieval practises are sued to ruin by CAIR, the major Islamic non-profit organization in the US, (and notedly listed fifth on the 2014 Saudi Arabia's list of terrorists organizations) with the intention to silence any criticism in the name of tolerance and free speech, and if that doesn't work, then the label of islamophobia is applied. CAIR has threatened the author of the Jewel of Medina and had gotten every publisher except for one to halt the book from being printed. This book about Muhammad, received a favorable review by CAIR, which in it self raises all sorts of questions, most notedly why praise this book and denounce the Jewel of Medina. The answer lies in the subtle presentation of facts in each book. Jewel of medina is historically accurate, brutal, and is not always presenting the early Muslims in their best light, while the Mother of Believers glorifies Islam, and subtly indoctrinates the reader.
If you want a clear, sane and unbiased story about Aisha, get the Jewel of Medina. Stay away from this glorified propaganda endorsed by an organization with ties to known terrorists, an organization refusing to condemn the 9/11 attacks, beyond saying they are sorry for the "innocent" lives lost, but not explaining that their charter only considers "innocents" to be good Muslims, all others are infidels a.e. Enemies.
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