Jeffrey Lang is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas and an author of several memoirs on converting to Islam. He is an inspirational speaker for MeccaCentric and serves as an advisor to Generation Islam.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the 欧宝娱乐 database with this name.
Reading this book was a turning point in my life. I was not any longer the same person that I was before it. I was not any longer wishing I hadn't been, or wishing the wicked human race hadn't been. For the first time in my life, I felt how I was so lucky when I was chosen from nonexistence to be me, to be precisely as Salma...
I wrote those four lines of poetry-
Even nice angels could not but ask: among all naught why man to be? Lord answered them: It is man task to live and learn, thus man may see.
I have a thirst for books by American converts to Islam. This is one of the better ones I've read. Not only does the author share his own journey to Islam, he also spends more than half of the book going over various beliefs and attitudes attributed to Muslims and analyzing them according to the Qur'an. The book also includes a discussion about how Muslims can help Islam to grow in America. I got a lot out of it and definitely recommend it for anyone who is interested in how Muslims think, what they believe, and how they can live out their faith in the world.
At first I was thinking that this book was leaning towards progressive Islam, but in the end I realized it was just about one man's journey to Islam, through the ups and downs that naturally come with it. I would recommend this book to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
An ex-atheist Jeffrey Lang put together and interesting book called 鈥淓ven Angels Ask鈥� which I just finished reading. Lang is an Associate Prof. in Math at Kansas University who converted to Islam in his late 20s. I always find perspectives of ex-atheists on Islam to be very interesting as it challenges our traditional viewpoints. And whether you agree with their angle or don鈥檛, they are still compelling.
In this book, Lang doesn鈥檛 discuss how he became Muslim, but rather he questions and answers some issues of concern to mainly many Muslim Americans or even non-Muslims.
One of the main highlights of the book is the classic question on the purpose of our existence. There are 3 aspects that he discusses on this regard are; Act of Thinking, Choice and Experiencing Hardship. According to Lang, these are the essential aspects that define and shape the relationship between human beings and God.
Further, he focuses on the nature in which western and specifically Americans convert to Islam. As per Lang, it鈥檚 a more of inquisitive journey and accumulation of thoughts rather than an ad-hoc sort of change. For that specific reason, the Muslim minority (mostly immigrants) fails miserably in keeping or attracting new converts or even their own second generation who are part of two totally different cultures. Traditionalism, religious misconceptions, Isolation, and lack of civic engagement, all amount to the poor condition of Islam in America and it鈥檚 attributed to the Muslim Minority before even the media profiling.
A very interesting point the author brings is on unity of Muslim minority. Although he is a major critic of their traditional methods of running Islamic centers/activities as well as their teachings, he refuses the option of creating alternative reformist ones. He believes that such a condition would create a status of polarism which obviously harms unity. Instead, he urges reformists to engage with the traditional mainstream and change from within. Umm personally I am not sure about this. In that context, is polarism caused by having diverse approaches or by dogmatism (which exists regardless of existence of diversity, I think)? At the same time, I see his point. I think I personally need to give this a deep thought.
Additionally, he discusses lots of other important Islamic topics like messengers, fate, five pillars and the Quran. He sheds lights on the cultural and emotional pressure that American converts go through. He also speaks about radicalism and beliefs of the fifth column鈥tc.
The book is very interesting read; thought-provocative in some places and spiritually-boosting at others. I will definitely read another book of his.
One final point, I just love the fact Lang didn鈥檛 change his name neither the way he dresses after converting to Islam. Although a convert needs to learn Arabic for better understanding of Quran and other rich Islamic sources and therefore better understanding of the religion itself, yet Islam is not an 鈥淎rabic鈥� religion! Converts don鈥檛 really need to sound, dress, look like an Arab to be a Muslim!! I personally find nothing admirable more than preserving one鈥檚 own identity which I believe doesn鈥檛 contradict with Islam. Now if some converts do it for the need of fitting in, that鈥檚 another story.
This book brings fresh perspectives in viewing and reviewing some of the most 'sensitive' questions regarding Islam. I find Dr. Lang's insights intriguing as well as thought-provoking as he challenges some of the most strongly held dogmas and beliefs of Qur'anic interpretations. Certainly his Western-style critique widens the dimension of religious discussions with loads of honest questions new converts may have in mind (and to this respect, current Muslims as well).
For Muslims, this book is certainly a grab if you have hard questions regarding the Faith and yet not dare to voice them aloud in religious classrooms.
Chapters in this books are also coherent and easy to follow. Conversational-style narrations interwoven with provocative yet honest questions regarding the Faith keeps me engaged for hours reading the book. Although I may not personally agree with all of Dr. Lang's conclusions, his arguments are clear and logical.
Highly recommended for those who have personal questions about his or her faith in Islam and those who are curious about the American (or Western) dimension of looking Islam.
Apa yang kita ketahui tentang kisah Adam dan Hawa? Kebanyakan dari kita (errw, atau mungkin hanya aku ya?) meyakini kalau karena Adam dan Hawa yang terlena oleh godaan setan lah yang mengakibatkan mereka diusir dari Surga dan turun ke bumi. Mereka dihukum karena Tuhan murka akan kelalaian mereka.
Bodohnya, saya tidak benar-benar menelusuri kisah ini di Al Qur'an, karena kebanyakan penceritaan dalam kisah-kisah agama Islam pun menyebutkan demikian.
Dan ketika saya membaca buku ini.. Saya terpana.. Lang menjabarkan persepsi-persepsi yang dia dapatkan saat dia membaca Surat Al Baqarah 30-39.
"Lalu keduanya digelincirkan oleh syaitan dari surga itu dan dikeluarkan dari keadaan semula dan Kami berfirman: "Turunlah kamu! sebagian kamu menjadi musuh bagi yang lain, dan bagi kamu ada tempat kediaman di bumi, dan kesenangan hidup sampai waktu yang ditentukan.
Kemudian Adam menerima beberapa kalimat dari Tuhannya, maka Allah menerima taubatnya. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Penerima taubat lagi Maha Penyayang.
Kami berfirman: "Turunlah kamu semuanya dari surga itu! Kemudian jika datang petunjuk-Ku kepadamu, maka barang siapa yang mengikuti petunjuk-Ku, niscaya tidak ada kekhawatiran atas mereka, dan tidak (pula) mereka bersedih hati." (QS 2:36-38)
-Pasangan Adam dan Hawa diusir dari surga untuk memulai kehidupan mereka di bumi. Kita harus beranggapan bahwa mereka pasti menyesali perbuatan yang telah mereka lakukan dan mencemaskan kehidupan mereka di sebuah tempat yang tak familier. Tuhan mendekati dan menyirami mereka dengan ampunan dan kasih sayang. Dia meyakinkan mereka bahwa mereka akan selalu mendapat tuntuan Tuhan. Sebagaimana orangtua yang dengan lembut menghibur anaknya, Tuhan seolah-olah berkata kepada mereka, "Aku tahu kalian takut, dan aku pun tahu ini terasa berat bagi kalian, tetapi kalian akan selamat. Aku senantiasa akan bersama dan membimbing kalian. Bukalah mata, telinga, dan hati kalian untuk menyimak ayat-ayatKu, dan kalian tak perlu khawatir.
Bila Tuhan mengampuni pasangan itu, mengapa Dia tetap menempatkannya di bumi? Sebab kehidupan di bumi, menurut Al Quran, bukanlah hukuman.- Hal. 53
Membaca penjabaran Lang tersebut tak urung membuat saya tercenung. Allah sungguh Maha Penyayang. Dan apa yang telah saya lakukan di dunia untuk membalas kasih sayangNya? Mengapa saya terus menerus berprasangka buruk akan kejadian demi kejadian yang saya alami? Entah mengapa hati saya menjadi tenang membaca bab ini. Saya kembali diingatkan, sungguh Allah menyayangi umatNya. Kegalauan (#halah) saya pun jauh berkurang. Allah pasti punya rencana, dan saya akan dengan senang hati menanti saat saya memaknai setiap kejadiannya.
Saya menjadi semakin bersemangat menghabiskan buku ini. Saya melumatnya pelan-pelan. Lebih dari satu bulan saya habiskan buku ini.
Dari buku ini saya belajar, bahwa bertanya tentang iman itu sangatlah diperbolehkan.
-Salah satu tema pokoknya adalah bahwa orang-orang mengingkari atau mendustakan ayat-ayat Allah dan merusak agama karena mereka tidak menggunakan akal. "Mereka tidak mengerti" dan "mereka benar-benar kamu yang tidak mau menggunakan akal", demikian Al Quran menanggapi pada pencelanya. Tidakkah kamu berpikir?" tanya Al Quran pada mereka. Allah menurunkan tanda-tanda, pelajaran-pelajaran, dan ketentuan-ketentuan "agar kamu memahaminya".
Menurut Al Qur'an, akal dan iman adalah salah satu kubu, sebagaimana logika dan kepercayaan yang salah, dan Kitab ini menjelaskan perbedaan nyata di antara keduanya: "sesungguhnya telah jelas antara jalan yang benar dan yang salah". Orang-orang yang paling beruntung menurut Al Quran adalah "mereka yang berakal", "orang-orang yang mendalam ilmunya", "mereka yang berpikir", dan mereka yang mengakui bukti-bukti yang terang".- Hal. 97
Buku ini menjabarkan banyak pertanyaan kaum Muslim di Amerika. Pemuda-pemudi yang resah. Mungkin kondisi beriman di Indonesia berbeda dengan di Amerika. Tapi saya yakin, pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang ada dalam buku ini mungkin pernah terlintas dalam benak kita saat kita sedang meragukan tentang iman kita sendiri.
Sangat direkomendasikan bagi mereka yang mencari jawaban. Tapi saya pikir, jangan berhenti dengan membaca buku ini saja. Atau jangan menganggap jika tidak mempunyai buku ini, kita akan sulit mendapatkan jawaban. Karena buku berisi jawaban-jawaban yang paling lengkap, ada dalam genggaman kalian masing-masing, yaa akhi dan ukhti.. Bukalah kembali lembarannya.. Berprasangka baiklah.. Telusuri lagi kata-kata indahNya.. Dan diskusikanlah..
Semoga kita diberikan ketenangan dengan mengetahui bahwa Allah tidak menyia-nyiakan umatNa.. Amiin
*menanti waktu untuk dapat membaca buku bagian kedua*
PS: Buku ini udah susah banget dicari. Mencari bolak-balik ke toko buku online pun hopeless. Bahkan buku bagian keduanya saya musti titip ke Aki Gendengtiadatara di Bandung karena stock nya hanya ada di Gramedia Bandung, itu pun hanya tinggal 10 eksemplar. Saya lalu temukan ada e-book nya di sini
"The more I admitted my need for God's mercy and forgiveness, the more I felt them in my heart. In spite of all the weaknesses I had still to overcome, I felt the most tender and loving kindness when I turned to the only One Who really knew me."
"I was happy enough to have found faith in a sensible religion-but I never expected to be touched by such intoxicating mercy. I never knew that one could experience so tender and warm an embrace. This love, this relationship with God, should have remained my only real goal; it should have stayed the focus of all of my religious endeavors."
-
A really honest book about the author's conversion, how Islam is perceived in America, what can be done to encourage more Muslims to be more comfortable with Islam, and how to educate themselves further on it. I thought this was a really interesting book! And it's honesty was really beautiful and thought-provoking.
Reading this book is like as if I'm taking the journey to Islam alongside the author (not as an atheist, though). When stumbled upon some of his provoking thoughts, I had to take a detour for a while - out of curiosity - to research on the issues or topics that he argued about. I must say that the reading experience is a fulfilling one, and I love the fact that this book makes my reading list grows exponentially.
Jeffrey Lang was born a Christian, but somewhere in his life - just like any other fellow Americans - he became an atheist. Learning about Islam was merely an act of his curiosity, but during his journey it turned out that he found all the answers he had been asking himself when he was a Christian and an atheist.