Islam and the Destiny of Man

This is the second time I'm reading this book and I'm not disappointed in the least. The only thing that pulls on my buttons is the fact that I have to continuously go onto my iPhone (product placement, isn't it great?) to check for words I'm not familiar with. That tells you this is a great book. Expanding minds everywhere. Enough about me, let's get onto this book (whose material I cannot remember for the life of me).It's a book written for a Western audience and bridges some of the questions that we may be asking ourselves regarding Islam. It goes into history. It goes into practices. It goes into the beliefs. It goes into 'the human paradox' (a chapter/section I love so much). It is very eloquently written and I recommend it to anyone who's interested in learning about Islam. So have at it. Give it a go. Enjoy. Cheers.

Really good in beginning then got a little weird

At the time I purchased this book, unfortunately Amazon did not have the Contents section, so I was first dissapointed for I tought this was about the destiny of man according to Islam yet it is not, but it is very good introductory book on Islam. Most important things in the history of Islam is highlighted with articulated feelings by the author. There are sections that I would disagree with the author such as Muslims approval of a tyranical government etc, but very nice book. References are given from Holy Qur'an but there are also other statements that could be supported more strongly rather than stating them.You feel a lot spirutialty in the book as you read it and comparisons are also given from other religions.

A must read regardless of if you are a Muslim or non Muslim

Phenomenal, very in depth.

I liked it because it summarizes the 1400 years of islamic history in a very nice way. The author seems to be very well knowledgeable of this topic.

This is a used book and good for what it is. All proceeds to to fund the Ocala Library, which is good enough reason to purchase.

Well written and well structured this is probably the best introduction to the Muslim religion you can find. Ignore any previous condescending reviews such as "Are Muslims really like this?" etc.... It really is beyond me why some think they are qualified to have an opinion so narrow on a religion followed by millions of people as diverse as Chinese, Europeans, Arabs, Africans etc or even on a people. Imagine if someone put up a review making the same comments about Black people or Asian people, they would immediately be condemned as an ignorant bigot but here we are, Islam is in the news, it sells newspapers and we can use it for and against to get the mob and rabble roused.Concerning the book, it is basically an introduction to the Muslim religion. It covers all aspects of the faith and how it is understood by Muslims, its impact on the world and the impact that the world outside of Islam had upon it.There are many other books of a similar style such as Roger Du Pasquier's Unveiling Islam and William Chitticks Vision of Islam but this is by far the best. Recommended to Muslim and non Muslim alike.Read it and see for yourself.

This book is for the (one who wants to be a) modern intellectual muslim. It captures the essence of belief in Allah and the universal nature of Islam and deliver this fundamental knowledge in terms of the world today.This book is free of the reductionist explanations of the local imams and mullahs in the mosques you find in Western countries and most certainly, those you find in muslim countries. It is free of apologetics and it is free of critical secularism.This book does not go systematically through what muslims believe in and provide fact abouts what Islam is. Gai Eaton communicates brilliantly how the simple belief in one God and His Messenger is not just a question of believing in the Unseen or not. It has - and have had - wide ranging implications for all those humans, who became and are muslims.This book is a ressource for those non-muslims, who do not settle with knowing what Islam is (although the book does tell you this), but also want to know what it is like to BE a muslim.

I love Gai Eatons writing and I read his other book Remembering God. I hope God will bless him for all his efforts. He was a wise man and I'm thankful for the knowledge he wrote down.

This is a great book. The author sets the story without going into too many words. Some of the chapters are monumental and soul inspiring. I have taken one star away as the history is out of context and mainly relies on Ummayad sources which is questionable to say the least. Highly recommended. A must read but with the premise that the historical facts are questionable.

Eaton just presents Islam as it is - no apologetics or controversial statements. It's a start for those wishing to reconstruct their worldview of life and existence.

This is a truly majestic book and is, without doubt, one of the most powerful works available on Islam in the English language. Intended primarily for the non-Muslim, or specifically for Westerners with little or no prior knowledge of Islam, I would say that this book is equally accessible and helpful to those who are either practising believers or who have a good working knowledge of the Faith, in the way it goes so far beyond ordinary introductory texts in dealing with and answering the vital questions of human existence. A comprehensive coverage of specifically the Islamic ethos is included, with regards to formation, beliefs, sources, history and crystallization, yet this representation always remains couched in an acute understanding of other major religious forces and (contemporary) intellectual contexts. This work is scholarly and encyclopaedic in content and scope, yet is saved from becoming abstruse or inaccessible by the author's pronounced gift of articulation, where with an almost effortless ease complex issues and matters are expressed in beautiful and poetical style. In fact, certain passages of this book are simply spellbinding, and there is a definite spiritual dimension to the text where the reader can tangibly feel the calm serenity of the author being transmitted through the words. I really cannot recommend this book enough; for those interested in furthering their knowledge of specifically Islam and the Muslim faith it is an excellent place to start or continue your research, for those who have any type of interest in religion in general or who are simply concerned with the deeper questions of life, meaning, purpose and existence then reading this book will prove to be an intriguing experience and for those who are simply looking for an interesting read then I am sure that this book will not disappoint you. Unreservedly, I recommend this book to as many people as possible.