Suppose you are in the bookstore, or the library, and you are looking for information on Islam. You head toward the Religion section, find Islam, and immediately, you are stumped. There are several Qur’ans, and various books claiming to have the “true” portrait of Muslims contained within its pages. But, wait, what it this? Do you want to learn about the Shi’a revival, the Sunni law making procedures, or the Sufi meditation practices?

Confused yet?

Sumbul Ali-Karamali has written a solution to the initial confusion. Titled “The Muslim Next Door: The Qur’an, the Media, and that Veil Thing”, this is one book that gives a very informed introduction to some of the most pressing questions about Islam in the 21st century. Beginning with an explanation of the 5 pillars of Islam, Ali-Karamali takes the reader on a brief journey through history and ends with an overview of being an American Muslim in a post 9/11 world.

Initially, I wanted to give this  book 3.5 stars (out of 5). The author began well enough, but at times seemed to be contradictory and overly apologetic. Her emphasis that certain widely known (and misunderstood)  practices were the result of culture and not religion quickly became repetitious. However, as I continued to read, I gained more respect for Sumbul Ali-Karamali’s simplistic writing style, as well as her candid way of sharing her personal experiences as a South Asian-American Muslim woman.

With ease, she describes the differences between sects, the alien concept of “clergy” to most Muslims, and analyzes several problematic verses in the Qur’an. The longest chapter in the book is chapter 7, “Women In Islam.” Here she goes into detail, citing historical and anecdotal evidence that Muslim women are not the sheltered, oppressed women that they are thought to be.

Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to quickly learn more about “real” Islam. I give it 4 stars (out of 5) and recommend it to people who crave knowledge of “what’s really going on.”

Zarinah El-Amin Naeem has given us “Jihad of the Soul: Single Muslims Struggling with Identity, Religion and Desire”, a study of what it means to be young and single in today’s society; specifically, young and single in American society. She takes scores of interviews of people between the ages of 18 and 40 and presents their experiences and opinions in a coherent fashion.

Divided into 3 parts, Jihad tackles important questions, such as:

• What does it mean to be Muslim?
• Is marriage still necessary?
• Are my expectations to high?
• How much say so should my family have in my decision?
• Where do I find a mate?

This book contains a wealth of information. Whether you are a person seeking answers to chase away confusion or simply desire to know “what’s really going on”, this book needs to be read! Overall, it reminds us that there is no single mindset about Muslims.

How I wish this book was around when I was single!

Masha’Allah, I recently had the pleasure of reading “The Size of a Mustard Seed” by Umm Juwayriyah.

Book Jacket:

It’s a new era of fiction; Urban Islamic Fiction that is! Stepping up out into the spotlight is Jameelah Salih. Jameelah is a 27-year-old Muslim woman born to what appears to be one of the inner-city’s stronger blended American Muslim families. She works as a hair stylist with her two best friends in the city’s only Muslim women’s owned and operated hair salon, Covered Pearls. On appearance and material possessions alone Jameelah seems to be doing big things; she has a loving family, owns a fly car, she has her own apartment and she’s not too far off from getting her second degree. What most don’t know is that she is one traffic jam away from losing control of her life. Being a single Muslim woman isn’t easy plus post 9/11 stresses still seem to haunt her. Jameelah prays for a change, but what will she do if change actually comes?

When a prominent Imam proposes marriage to Jameelah she feels as if it’s the blessing that she has been waiting for from Allah. She knows marrying him will change her life, but when an unexpected family crisis erupts and secrets are exposed, Jameelah is forced to make hard choices and put her complete faith in the only One unable to break it.

The author has made the characters stunningly realistic, and has given them the ability to draw you into their plights and dilemmas. Not only do we have Jameelah, the main voice of the story, we also have her sister, Khadijah, their younger brother Adam, and a lovely young Muslim convert named Shevon.

Follow Jameelah as she struggles with her personal demons of attitude, family obligations and the single life. Learn about the struggles of a young Muslim convert named Shevon whose family does not accept her chosen faith. Understand what it means to be a Muslim in a post 9/11 world.

This book is a MUST READ, not only for Muslims, but for anyone seeking to catch a glimpse of being Muslim in the 21st century. Buy your copy today, insha’Allah.