Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2008, Page 45
is especially interesting. Rochford‘s organization of ideas and writing is extremely clear, and
the book is highly readable. Anyone interested in how these groups modify themselves over
time and the situation of ISKCON in particular today should read this fascinating and
informative work.
Marcia R. Rudin
The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity
Seyyed Hossein Nasr, San Francisco, CA: HarperOne, 2004. ISBN-10: 0060730641
ISBN-13: 9780060730642 (paperback), $13.95 ($11.16 Amazon.com). 352 pages.
The Caged Virgin: A Muslim Woman’s Cry for Reason
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, London: Pocket Books (an imprint of Simon &Shuster UK Ltd,
Africa House, 64-78 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AH), 2007. ISBN-10: 1416526234
ISBN-13: 9781416526230 (paperback), £7.99 (£3.99 Amazon.co.uk). 208 pages.
No god but God: Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
Reza Aslan, New York, NY: Random House, 2006. ISBN-10: 0812971892 ISBN-13:
9780812971897 (paperback), $14.95 ($10.17 Amazon.com). 352 pages.
Can terrorists hijack a religion? If they can, what do the terrorists want us to believe about
that religion? Is there anything in that religion to support the claims of a terrorist? Can
ancient traditions survive modernization? Are sacred doctrines mutable? These are
questions I had wanted to explore regarding Islam when that religion fell under serious
scrutiny since September 11, 2001. Here, I review three books by Muslim authors that I
found useful in this context, and which offer intelligent and challenging views.
Seyyed Hossein Nasr wrote The Heart of Islam in response to the negative stereotypical
opinions about Islam since 9-11. The author of this highly acclaimed book was born in
Tehran, Iran. He received his advanced education at M.I.T. and Harvard. He taught at
Tehran University from 1958 to 1979. Since then, he has been professor of Islamic studies
at George Washington University. He is the president of the Foundation for Traditional
Studies. On the back cover of the book jacket, Huston Smith praises Nasr as ―exactly the
right man to author such a book, for I know no one else who is as solidly grounded in both
authentic Islam and the complexities of the contemporary Western mind.‖
Nasr offers a basic history of Muhammad the Prophet and the development of Islam, but he
concentrates on the wider cultural impact of Islam, and on the sects and factions within
Muslim culture. He clarifies often-misunderstood and misapplied terms such as infidel and
kafir, bringing them into proper focus under Sharia law and scripture.
In his chapter ―One God, Many Prophets,‖ Nasr reminds us that much of the animosity by
Muslim sects toward secular modernism and Western values stems from ―the danger of loss
of identity,‖ or fear of extinction as a people if traditional values erode. Yet, Nasr argues,
within ―Quranic‖ doctrine ―many verses concern the reality of One God and the multiplicity
of revelations sent by Him.‖ Traditional Muslims are not so much anti-West, he says, as
they are wary of importing the same vices that are destroying the morals and values of the
West. He points out that the ―fundamentalism‖ among Muslims that so many in the West
fear is actually no more virulent in its proselytizing than ―secular fundamentalism‖ is in its
own way. The problem is with the extremists who do not define the ―center‖ of ―traditional‖
Islam. The heart of Islam shares the same quest for compassion and universal truth sought
in the heart of any of the great religions or ethical systems. Nasr shares the metaphysical
views of Frithjof Schuon and his ―transcendent unity of religions‖ that is ―part and parcel‖ of
is especially interesting. Rochford‘s organization of ideas and writing is extremely clear, and
the book is highly readable. Anyone interested in how these groups modify themselves over
time and the situation of ISKCON in particular today should read this fascinating and
informative work.
Marcia R. Rudin
The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity
Seyyed Hossein Nasr, San Francisco, CA: HarperOne, 2004. ISBN-10: 0060730641
ISBN-13: 9780060730642 (paperback), $13.95 ($11.16 Amazon.com). 352 pages.
The Caged Virgin: A Muslim Woman’s Cry for Reason
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, London: Pocket Books (an imprint of Simon &Shuster UK Ltd,
Africa House, 64-78 Kingsway, London WC2B 6AH), 2007. ISBN-10: 1416526234
ISBN-13: 9781416526230 (paperback), £7.99 (£3.99 Amazon.co.uk). 208 pages.
No god but God: Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
Reza Aslan, New York, NY: Random House, 2006. ISBN-10: 0812971892 ISBN-13:
9780812971897 (paperback), $14.95 ($10.17 Amazon.com). 352 pages.
Can terrorists hijack a religion? If they can, what do the terrorists want us to believe about
that religion? Is there anything in that religion to support the claims of a terrorist? Can
ancient traditions survive modernization? Are sacred doctrines mutable? These are
questions I had wanted to explore regarding Islam when that religion fell under serious
scrutiny since September 11, 2001. Here, I review three books by Muslim authors that I
found useful in this context, and which offer intelligent and challenging views.
Seyyed Hossein Nasr wrote The Heart of Islam in response to the negative stereotypical
opinions about Islam since 9-11. The author of this highly acclaimed book was born in
Tehran, Iran. He received his advanced education at M.I.T. and Harvard. He taught at
Tehran University from 1958 to 1979. Since then, he has been professor of Islamic studies
at George Washington University. He is the president of the Foundation for Traditional
Studies. On the back cover of the book jacket, Huston Smith praises Nasr as ―exactly the
right man to author such a book, for I know no one else who is as solidly grounded in both
authentic Islam and the complexities of the contemporary Western mind.‖
Nasr offers a basic history of Muhammad the Prophet and the development of Islam, but he
concentrates on the wider cultural impact of Islam, and on the sects and factions within
Muslim culture. He clarifies often-misunderstood and misapplied terms such as infidel and
kafir, bringing them into proper focus under Sharia law and scripture.
In his chapter ―One God, Many Prophets,‖ Nasr reminds us that much of the animosity by
Muslim sects toward secular modernism and Western values stems from ―the danger of loss
of identity,‖ or fear of extinction as a people if traditional values erode. Yet, Nasr argues,
within ―Quranic‖ doctrine ―many verses concern the reality of One God and the multiplicity
of revelations sent by Him.‖ Traditional Muslims are not so much anti-West, he says, as
they are wary of importing the same vices that are destroying the morals and values of the
West. He points out that the ―fundamentalism‖ among Muslims that so many in the West
fear is actually no more virulent in its proselytizing than ―secular fundamentalism‖ is in its
own way. The problem is with the extremists who do not define the ―center‖ of ―traditional‖
Islam. The heart of Islam shares the same quest for compassion and universal truth sought
in the heart of any of the great religions or ethical systems. Nasr shares the metaphysical
views of Frithjof Schuon and his ―transcendent unity of religions‖ that is ―part and parcel‖ of
