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The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity Paperback – August 17, 2004

by Seyyed Hossein Nasr (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 98 ratings
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As the specter of religious extremism has become a fact of life today, the temptation is great to allow the evil actions and perspectives of a minority to represent an entire tradition. In the case of Islam, there has been much recent confusion in the Western world centered on distorted portrayals of its core values. Born of ignorance, such confusion feeds the very problem at hand.

In The Heart of Islam one of the great intellectual figures in Islamic history offers a timely presentation of the core spiritual and social values of Islam: peace, compassion, social justice, and respect for the other. Seizing this unique moment in history to reflect on the essence of his tradition, Seyyed Hossein Nasr seeks to "open a spiritual and intellectual space for mutual understanding." Exploring Islamic values in scripture, traditional sources, and history, he also shows their clear counterparts in the Jewish and Christian traditions, revealing the common ground of the Abrahamic faiths.

Nasr challenges members of the world's civilizations to stop demonizing others while identifying themselves with pure goodness and to turn instead to a deeper understanding of those shared values that can solve the acute problems facing humanity today. "Muslims must ask themselves what went wrong within their own societies," he writes, "but the West must also pose the same question about itself . . . whether we are Muslims, Jews, Christians, or even secularists, whether we live in the Islamic world or in the West, we are in need of meaning in our lives, of ethical norms to guide our actions, of a vision that would allow us to live at peace with each other and with the rest of God's creation." Such help, he believes, lies at the heart of every religion and can lead the followers of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) as well as other religious and spiritual traditions to a new future of mutual respect and common global purpose.

The Heart of Islam is a landmark presentation of enduring value that offers hope to humanity, and a compelling portrait of the beauty and appeal of the faith of 1.2 billion people.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 17, 2004
  4. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.79 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0060730641
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0060730642
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is exactly the right book... to counter the demonizing stereotypes of Islam proliferated by the war on terrorism” — Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions

“Professor Nasr has put the beauty and appeal of Islam into clear and readable English.” — John Shelby Spong, author of A New Christianity for a New World

“This sensitive, insightful and beautifully written book comes as a ray of sunshine.” — Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God

“Filled with challenge and insight...an indispensable text.” — Rabbi Michael Paley

“A lasting, honest, and intimate tour of Islam’s basic aspects...” — The [New Jersey] Star-Ledger

“A first-tier Islamic scholar ... it is hard to imagine a better introduction to the faith.” — Library Journal

“[I]t is hard to imagine a better introduction to the faith.” — Library Journal

“An illuminating new book that explores the spiritual and social values of the faith of one-fifth of humanity.” — Christian Science Monitor

“The most important study of Islam in all its breadth and all its depth available in the English language.” — Gai Eaton, author of Islam and the Destiny of Man

“Concise, clear, and eloquent, it has the crystalline ring of the voice of reason and cuts through layers of ignorance.” — The World & I

About the Author

Seyyed Hossein Nasr is university professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University. Author of over fifty books, Professor Nasr is a well-known and highly respected intellectual figure both in the West and in the Islamic world. Born in Tehran, raised from the age of twelve in the United States, and a graduate of MIT and Harvard University, Nasr is well qualified to explain Islam to a Western audience. He appears frequently on Meet the Press, as well as other national news shows.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperOne; 7/18/04 edition (August 17, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060730641
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060730642
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.79 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 98 ratings

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Seyyed Hossein Nasr

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
98 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

P. Ndiour
5.0 out of 5 stars so interesting and wise
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2009
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This book is so full of wisdom and just written so beautifully. So many people are so ignorant to the teachings of islam and have a totally warped idea of muslims and what I love about this book is that it educates you about the religion without putting the others down. In fact it teaches you how most religions are related to each other. Its the best book for anyone wanting to know the truth about islam.
5 people found this helpful
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JSJKindle
5.0 out of 5 stars Hossein Nasr's Masterpiece
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2019
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Everywhere, this book was rated above 4 stars, can't believe in Amazon is bellow 4.

He bridged common sense with sufism. Love this book, owned it before, now bought the Kindle version for re-reading several chapters.
One person found this helpful
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James Watrous
4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to Islam
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2012
I am not Muslim, but I respect for Islam. I have a better understanding of Islam after reading this book. Prof. Nassr is a good writer and explains the "heart" of Islam well. Especially powerful is his epilogue which he writes how Muslims and others can help build a better world. It's definitely worth reading.
3 people found this helpful
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Andrew J. Nowak
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2018
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I enjoyed the Heart of Islam, however, it reads more like an academic textbook with a lot of history and interpretation of historical events.
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Seth
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2012
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This is a great informative book on Islam for devout Muslims to recent convert, to people just interested learning the truth about Islam and not the misconceptions. I reccommend this book to anyone looking for a in-depth view of what Muslims believe and what the faith of Islam teaches without cultural influences.
3 people found this helpful
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Noorcom
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2014
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Good to know that Islam, like christianity, has a lot to offer for humanity. Political events and extreme individuals tend color the 99% silent majority with something different than their true values.
6 people found this helpful
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Bakar
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart of Isam
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2013
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What do you want me to write ?

I liked it very much.

I have nothing mo.re to say.
I hope you will like it too
One person found this helpful
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Benjamin Shobert
4.0 out of 5 stars Believe that more than hate binds the Muslim community
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2004
Too many Christians fall into the trap of believing their own press when it comes to other religions. Having a dialogue with other faiths is much harder, particularly on your own beliefs, when you set aside your own "experts" and entertain the beliefs of others from within their own community. I think this is the heart of real dialogue. For American Christians, Nasr's book is a must-read if you wish to have the slightest insight into what Islam is really about. I found much to build on with Muslims and look forward to learning more about this faith.
21 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Abdullah Polat
5.0 out of 5 stars The best introduction to Islamic culture !
Reviewed in Germany on November 9, 2020
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Best and most impartial book I have ever read about Islam. - A perfect intro for those who want to understand the different tribes and believes as well as why Muslims do certain things.
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Zainal A. Chowdhury
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on August 13, 2015
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Well researched book.
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kanedaitsuki
3.0 out of 5 stars 世界的学者による「イスラームのすべて」
Reviewed in Japan on August 2, 2009
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　著者セイード・ホセイン・ナスルは、テヘラン生まれで現在アメリカの大学で教鞭をとるイスラーム学の権威で、イスラームに関する本を多数出版している。本書『イスラーム魂：その普遍的価値』は、9・11テロ以降、増幅するイスラームに対するネガティブ・イメージに対抗して、英語圏の一般の人々に向けて、イスラームについての正しい知識を提供すべく書かれた。

　その内容は、イスラームについて、教義・歴史・法はもちろん、政治・社会思想や文化・芸術など広範囲に渡り、純正一神教の多様性に驚嘆する読者もいるだろう。

　一夫多妻制や残虐刑、ジハード（聖戦）などの論争的事柄についての反論は、さらに深ぼりされるべき課題だろう。西洋社会に一定の偏見があるのは事実であろうが、ナスルの反論は必ずしも説得的でないからだ。

　すでに多くの日本語で読めるイスラーム入門書があるので、必読書とまでは言えないが、所々に差し挟まれる、ムスリムである著者自身の経験の記述は、貴重な示唆を与えてくれるだろう。
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essam
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2015
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I received the book in a good condition.
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Qasim
4.0 out of 5 stars Liked.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2017
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liked the book
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