A Young Muslim's Guide to the Modern World

Seyyed Nasr's book is enlightening and illuminating. It is a counter to the many books written by orientalists who study and interpret Islam from their own very prejudiced views. Now, it is a Muslim scholar par excellence who is critically assessing the Western world from an Islamic point of view. The book is scholarly and academic in every sense of the word, never in any way deviating into vitriol, offence, or sweeping anti-Western generalisations. In this scholarly work, Seyyed Nasr begins by elucidating the fundamental truths of the Islamic faith. He then begins his exposition on the Western world, delving into its religious history, philosophies, politics, education, and social life. A must read, definitely one to be passed down from father to son.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr "A Young Muslim's Guide to the Modern World" (Kazi, 1994) Picking up a new book (in the sense of not having read before) by Professor Nasr is an experience to be relished, but at the same time one for which you need to brace yourself. Nasr tackles God, Philosophy, Civilization and the crisis of modern man... not exactly holiday reading. His books invariably present the reader with a 'tour de force' of traditional Islamic knowledge as well as an almost frightening breadth of learning spanning the fields of Philosophy, Science, History, the Arts, Education, Politics, Economics and of course Religion. Above all else, perhaps, Professor Nasr's genius lies in his ability to weave together relevant information from seemingly disparate fields to create an organic synthesis simultaneously in accordance with the teachings of Islam and scholastically rigorous enough to present a formidable challenge to the most critical mind. One must also take into consideration his intellectual pedigree, second to none in both the traditional world of Islam, and modern Western learning, presented through his eloquent command of the English language which renders his writing such a joy to read. The book in question is perhaps the ideal entrance for a Muslim reader into the thought of Nasr. Its aim is to at once reaffirm the many aspects of the Islamic 'message' (the first seven chapters) before venturing into a fairly deep, although understandably brief considering the amount of ground covered, analysis of the modern Western world (the next seven chapters) in chapters dealing with Modern Philosophy, Science and Technology and so forth. The fifteenth and final chapter takes the form of an epilogue restating the need for young Muslims to both learn their own tradition deeply and also to learn about the Modern World seriously in order to be able to respond Islamically to the multitude of challenges it poses a follower of tradition. Indeed, Nasr asserts that while the West has produced numerous scholars who study Islam and the Islamic World from their point of view, the Islamic world has produced very few scholars able to study the various aspects of the West (in any depth at least) from the Islamic perspective. So there we have the basic outline of the work, one which is both ambitious and greatly needed at this critical juncture in history. Professor Nasr is by no means the first Islamic scholar to address the topic of the spiritual welfare of the youth as it is confronted with modernity, however he is certainly the one author whose masterful treatment this issue has needed the most. As he notes, most Islamic critiques of the Modern West are shallow, ill-informed and reactionary, unable to stand up to much serious examination. Nasr characteristically avoids such emotional, simplistic generalisations and presents the reader with the learned, scholarly treatment we have come to expect. The volume touches on so many themes that it is difficult to su

Thank you Professor Nasr, this book fills a scholarly gap.

As a teenage Muslim I find this book great Spruatily and Mentally. I recomend this book for Muslims and Non-Muslim Teens.

I believe that for Muslims all over the world but especially those of us who live and are educated in the West it is imperative to understand our own intellectual and religous traditions. The reason is that without this knowledge we will not be able to resist the forces of secularism, modernism, progressivism and the other ideas that pose the idea that this world is the only one and that there is nothing beyond it. The ideas of secularism pose an especially grave threat to young Muslims living in the West and going to Universities where moral relativism and liberalism is the orthodoxy of the moment. Syed Hossein Nasr writes of a clear need for Muslims to know both the Quran and the life of the Blessed Prophet(Peace be upon him) and the civilization that grew out of those two divine sources. But equally important he wants young Muslims to undertand the reality of the West in order to make a coherent and logical Islamically valid response without apologetics and reliance ! ! on second hand scolarship. In effect he is asking Muslims to be "Occidentalists" in the same manner that many Westerners have been "Orientalists". This will involve a study of Christianity, Judaism, Secularism and their development over the past centuries. With this understanding by educated Muslims we will be better able to show that the Muslim world view has a valid alternative both spiritually socially and economically as well as politically. I would recommend this book to all people both Muslim and Non-Muslim to read. May Allah guide us to His path and peace and blessings upon the last of His Messengers Muhammad and his family and companions. Salam 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhuh. (Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of God)