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No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam Audiobook, by Reza Aslan Play Audiobook Sample

No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam Audiobook

No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam Audiobook, by Reza Aslan Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Shishir Kurup Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 8.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 6.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739383322

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

10

Longest Chapter Length:

77:38 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

72:43 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

75:42 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

5

Other Audiobooks Written by Reza Aslan: > View All...

Publisher Description

A fascinating, accessible introduction to Islam from the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Zealot Though it is the fastest growing religion in the world, Islam remains shrouded by ignorance and fear. What is the essence of this ancient faith? Is it a religion of peace or war? How does Allah differ from the God of Jews and Christians? Can an Islamic state be founded on democratic values such as pluralism and human rights? A writer and scholar of comparative religions, Reza Aslan has earned international acclaim for the passion and clarity he has brought to these questions. In No god but God, challenging the “clash of civilizations” mentality that has distorted our view of Islam, Aslan explains this critical faith in all its complexity, beauty, and compassion. Contrary to popular perception in the West, Islam is a religion firmly rooted in the prophetic traditions of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Aslan begins with a vivid account of the social and religious milieu in which the Prophet Muhammad lilved. The revelations that Muhammad received in Mecca and Medina, which were recorded in the Quran, became the foundation for a radically more egalitarian community, the likes of which had never been seen before. Soon after his death, the Prophet’s successors set about the overwhelming task of defining and interpreting Muhammad’s message for future generations. Their efforts led to the development of a comprehensive code of conduct that was expected to regulate every aspect of the believer’s life. But this attempt only widened the chasm between orthodox Islam and its two major sects, Shiism and Sufism, both of which Aslan discusses in rich detail. Finally, No god but God examines how, in the shadow of European colonialism, Muslims developed conflicting strategies to reconcile traditional Islamic values with the social and political realities of the modern world. With the emergence of the Islamic state in the twentieth century, this contest over the future of Islam has become a passionate, sometimes violent battle between those who seek to enforce a rigid and archaic legal code and those who struggle to harmonize the teachings of the Prophet with contemporary ideals of democracy and human rights. According to Reza Aslan, we are now living in the era of “the Islamic Reformation.” No god but God is a persuasive and elegantly written account of the roots of this reformation and the future of Islamic faith.

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"Really good book which teaches you about the Islam culture. What makes this book different from others is his practical outlook and the fact that he is a Muslim himself. He is not finger pointing to anyone, just giving the information on why Islam's are the way they are today and the future of Islam."

— Missy (5 out of 5 stars)

Awards

  • A 2005 Guardian First Book Award Finalist

No god but God Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.225806451612903 out of 54.225806451612903 out of 54.225806451612903 out of 54.225806451612903 out of 54.225806451612903 out of 5 (4.23)
5 Stars: 11
4 Stars: 16
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 2
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Tarek Omar, 6/10/2022
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Recommended. A bit lengthy but covers everything that muslims or non-Muslims need to know. "

    — Seeker, 4/10/2019
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent. Learned so much, and Aslan's writing style is both interesting and informative. "

    — Kendall, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The best post-9/11 book on Muslims. All Americans should read it. "

    — Alex, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A sympathetic and engaging history of Islam, that portrays the faith as deeply divided internally. If you're looking for a Muslim evaluation of the Muslim faith, this is a good choice. "

    — Brenton, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Some insightful thoughts from a Muslim, that do surprise me, in a good sort of way. "

    — irfan, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " fantastic writer- provides lots of background info for current issues. Similar in that way to Jon Krakauer "

    — Robie, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was an interesting analysis of Islam and I would have finished it except that I lent it to my husband. Will read the final chapters soon I hope as I only got about half way through. "

    — Caroline, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a fascinating book about the history of Islam, combined with a strong advocacy for Aslan's particular views of the religion. "

    — Matt, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " interesting history and development of Islam. Written by an American Muslim who thinks critically about his religion instead of just giving the rote answers. "

    — Dan, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Islam is not the problem, people are. "

    — Ted, 12/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book is excellent, but I want to talk to a knowledgable Muslim about the author's take on Islamic History. "

    — Kevin, 12/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book explained a lot of the history of Islam that I didn't know. The author is definitely progressive. "

    — Jennifer, 11/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book in my freshman/sophmore year of college, and I really liked it. I had already started studying Islam and the Middle East, but was still a novice. Its perfect for that level, but there are better books out there on this subject. "

    — Christa, 10/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A fairly comprehensive history of Islam that shows us how the faith has evolved though the years. Aslan also posits that Islam is going through something akin to the Reformation. A great read for anyone that still choose to dismiss Islam as a violent faith. "

    — José, 9/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What a great primer on Islam. Dispelled a lot of ignorance and incorrect preconceptions I had about the faith. Reza Aslan uses a very approachable, reader friendly writing style. Highly recommended. "

    — Cody, 8/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " very interesting read about the origins and evolution of islam. "

    — Hillary, 7/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " So richly informative and wondefully told - I think I need to read it like 50 more times. "

    — Georgia, 8/29/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was fascinating. Finally an explanation of Islamic theology that I understand. Readable, insightful, and magnanimous, my favorite kind of book. "

    — Brent, 2/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book at the tail end of taking a bunch of classes on the history of Islam at UCSD. In one relatively small volume, Reza Aslan tells you what you need to know about Islam and how it got to be the way it is today, without bias, without judgment. Also, he's hot. "

    — Kian, 12/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Islam, like other other religion, is always evolving in its doctrines, and not without a lot of controversay. There is no monolithic "Islam", despite what many in the West believe. "

    — Edward, 11/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is one I'll read again and again, learning more each time. Clear and understandable. "

    — Jill, 8/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Bought this after seeing/meeting Reza Aslan spoke in my college town. It was really interesting to read this, especially in a time where Islam is a highly discussed topic. I gained a lot more insight into the history of Islam. Great and interesting read! "

    — Lena, 7/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Just like the title said, this book offers great insights on the origins and evolution of Islam. It is a must read for those looking for a soft sell on the contextual nascence of Islam in ancient Arabia. "

    — adilpoly, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Islam is not the problem, people are. "

    — Ted, 5/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " the writer presents a history of Islam and moslem. his main thesis is: it is not Islam vs West instead Islam A vs Islam B. to a man of faith, this is not the best book. this is more for politically-interested Islamic history readers. "

    — Rinaldi, 5/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Apologetics <br/>Like this book make me wonder <br/>&quot;Why so defensive?&quot; "

    — David, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Would have been four stars, but I felt like the second half seemed to drag on for me. I loved the first half, describing the events at Mecca and Medina, and I certainly feel like I got an education. Just had a hard time with the last couple chapters. "

    — Chris, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " In honor of Dr. Aslan's birthday, I present the book that started it all for me. Shukran ya mudaris! "

    — Elena, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book explained a lot of the history of Islam that I didn't know. The author is definitely progressive. "

    — Jennifer, 3/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It is so helpful to learn about other cultures and religions so that we do not midjudge them. This book was an informative overview of the origins and evolution of Islam, and I found it fascinating. "

    — Carol, 3/21/2011

About Reza Aslan

Reza Aslan is an acclaimed writer and scholar of religions whose book include Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller, and No god but God, which was short-listed for the Guardian First Book Award. He is also the author of God: A Human History and How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror. He is the editor of Tablet & Pen: Literary Landscapes from the Modern Middle East.

About Shishir Kurup

Shishir Ravindran Kurup is an Indian-born American actor. He played Dr. Singh on the sci-fi series Surface, and also had roles on the series Heroes, Lost, and True Blood