With so much of Islamic faith and tradition misunderstood by the West, Ed Hussain’s sober and balanced book feels nothing short of revelatory. Sensitively unpacking the true meaning of the Koran and the colossal cultural legacy of both Islamic art and science, Hussain offers a passionate corrective to the scaremongering and negativity surrounding this venerable religion.
A fascinating and revelatory exploration of the intricacies of Islam and the inner psyche of the Muslim world from the bestselling author of The Islamist
'Islam began as a stranger,' said the Prophet Mohammed, `and one day, it will again return to being a stranger.'
The gulf between Islam and the West is widening. A faith rich with strong values and traditions, observed by nearly two billion people across the world, is seen by the West as something to be feared rather than understood. Sensational headlines and hard-line policies spark enmity, while ignoring the feelings, narratives and perceptions that preoccupy Muslims today.
Wise and authoritative, The House of Islam seeks to provide entry to the minds and hearts of Muslims the world over. It introduces us to the fairness, kindness and mercy of Mohammed; the aims of sharia law, through commentary on scripture, to provide an ethical basis to life; the beauty of Islamic art and the permeation of the divine in public spaces; and the tension between mysticism and literalism that still threatens the House of Islam.
The decline of the Muslim world and the current crises of leadership mean that a glorious past, full of intellectual nobility and purpose, is now exploited by extremists and channelled into acts of terror. How can Muslims confront the issues that are destroying Islam from within, and what can the West do to help work towards that end?
Ed Husain expertly and compassionately guides us through the nuances of Islam and its people, contending that the Muslim world need not be a stranger to the West, nor its enemy, but a peaceable ally.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781408872284
Number of pages: 336
Weight: 232 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
A powerful and impassioned polemic ... This is strong stuff. And it is a compelling thesis from a British Muslim writer whose relationship with Islam has evolved dramatically over time - Justin Marozzi, Sunday Times
Not just timely but important too ... This should be compulsory reading - Peter Frankopan, author of 'The Silk Roads'
The House of Islam is a plea for the renewal of classical, traditional Islam against its extreme and politicised versions … For anyone interested in the future of Islam, both in Britain and the Islamic world, this is an important book - David Goodhart, The Times
The House of Islam is a long awaited and desperately needed book from one of our foremost thinkers at the nexus of civil society and theology ... Incisive and thought-provoking - Bruce Hoffman, author of 'Inside Terrorism'
Husain's account is not sensationalist, tending more to understatement than to hyperbole ... A complete eye-opener - Praise for 'The Islamist', The Times
Captivating, and terrifyingly honest ... a wake-up call to monocultural Britain, it takes you into the mind of young fundamentalists, exposing places in which the old notion of being British is defunct - Praise for 'The Islamist', Observer
Persuasive and stimulating - Praise for 'The Islamist', Martin Amis
All who glibly generalise about the no-man's-land between terrorism and multiculturalism should read this articulate and impassioned book - Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times
Although I am not a religious person, I am intrigued by the intricacies of all of the religions. Islam fascinates me the most, and not only because of the events of past few years and decades. There has been a lot of... More
I'm an atheist but I would never deny others the right to follow any religion - although I would really prefer their religion to promote tolerance, peace and fairness. I have friends who are Jewish, Christian,... More
Husain's book is an antidote to all too common generalisations and misconceptions concerning Muslims and Islam. His unfolding of the compassionate concept of Sharia in opposition to the literalist stance of its... More
Please sign in to write a review
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
