This is an excellent primer in jihad for those who know very little about Islam. Since the author was a devout Muslim before converting to Christianity, he writes with much love and compassion toward Muslims, while objectively exploring what Islam actually teaches about jihad.

I loved the background information on Islam in general, as I think many people lack a basic understanding of how Islam functions.

"To answer whether Islam truly is a religion of peace, we must consider what Islam teaches, not just what Muslims practice." (p.28)

"To assume that Muslims must live a certain way because the Quran or hadith command it misses a crucial step in the Islamic worldview, the distillation of sharia through Muslim authorities. If jurists and imams say that surah 9 does not apply to a Muslim's life today and that they should live peacefully with their Jewish, Christian, and polytheist neighbors, then it is entirely appropriate for a Muslim to follow his imam and live peacefully." (p. 59)

I especially appreciated the section on ISIS, Al-Qaida, and Boko Haram, as I've had a difficult time finding concise explanations of what exactly is going on overseas with these particular groups. Qureshi's information was incredibly helpful.

Though he doesn't offer specific "solutions," Qureshi repeatedly asserts that Christians loving Muslims with Christ's love is our best response to jihad.

The book is written in a question-and-answer format with 18 questions total:

1. What Is Islam?
2. Is Islam “a Religion of Peace”?
3. What Is Jihad?
4. Is Jihad in the Quran and the Life of Muhammad?
5. What Is Sharia?
6. Was Islam Spread by the Sword?
7. What Is Radical Islam?
8. Does Islam Need a Reformation?
9. Who Are Al-Qaida, ISIS, and Boko Haram?
10. Who Are the True Muslims—Violent or Peaceful Muslims?
11. Why Are Muslims Being Radicalized?
12. Are Muslims Trying to Take Over the West with Sharia?
13. Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?
14. Why Do Some Christians Call God “Allah”?
15. How Does Jihad Compare with Old Testament Warfare?
16. What Does Jesus Teach about Violence?
17. How Does Jihad Compare with the Crusades?
18. What Does Jesus Have to Do with Jihad?

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

This i a great book! It explores the subject of Jihad with a soft and polite intent but still is very clear. I learned a lot, not only about Jihad but also about Islam and the difference between Islam and Christians. I really recommend it if you have questions about Jihad, radicalization and Islam.

Ps. Though the book is divided into 18 questions and you can read only the ones that interest you. I would still recommend to read it from cover to cover since that gives you a great curve of understanding. ( )

This book provides a deeper understanding of Islam, and is set up in an easy to follow question-and-answer format. It's informative and thought provoking, and I found myself highlighting and engaging with the text throughout. I was expecting a dry, pedantic read, but I encountered a book that was apparently written with a broad audience in mind, a book that covers not only the history and teachings of Islam but also what that means for us today as we try to make sense of and move forward in a climate that is often rife with ignorance, fear, and misunderstanding.

Reading this book has given me a functional understanding of the religious and historical foundations of radical Islam. For groups like ISIS and Boko Haram, jihad is often a violent physical struggle for a much higher spiritual purpose, which is why actions deemed evil by the West are, to their way of thinking, actually divine. We are talking about two very different world views that will probably never be able to peaceably coexist in the long term because they are so incredibly disparate. To radicals, nothing less than strict adherence to sharia law is permissible, and there can be no peace outside of worldwide submission to "pure," fundamental Islam, an Islam that goes back to the religion's roots and is free from any outside influence.

However, three points stand out clearly from the beginning of Answering Jihad: the author understands that not all Muslims believe or practice the same, just as not all Jews or Christians practice the same within their faiths; the author feels that any religion should be defined by the characteristics that set its initial adherents apart from nonbelievers, so an understanding of the history and foundations of Islam are vital; and the author strongly believes that one must love Muslims, even if and while criticizing Islamic teachings. Qureshi isn't calling for war; he's calling for understanding, compassion, and love.

For some Muslims, Islam is a religion of peace, whereas for others, a religion of violence. According to the author, neither the Quran nor the teachings and traditions of Mohammed ever define Islam as a religion of peace, and, in fact, they prove otherwise. Qureshi states that some Muslim scholars actually consider proclamations that Islam is a religion of peace to be an "effort by the West to emasculate Islam." Clearly, peace is in the eye of the beholder.

This is an important book, well written and thoroughly researched, and though it provides some difficult truths, it is a book that must be read by anyone who hopes to understand why radical Muslims believe and behave as they do; it is, in fact, because of the truths presented herein that this book deserves to read, considered, and carefully digested. ( )

This was a fascinating book to read. I would strongly recommend it to everyone. It will help to clear up most misconceptions people have about Islam and Muslims as a whole. Most people have only the barest idea of Islam, most of it hype and fear induced.

This book centers around 18 questions that most of us have wondered about. It is written in a open factual way, without being biased and inflammatory.

It is a very short abbreviated book, but gives so much information that is not commonly known. I was quite surprised by many of the facts mentioned. What I also appreciated was the fact that [a:Nabeel Qureshi|7216902|Nabeel Qureshi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1398562025p2/7216902.jpg] wrote compassionately about Muslims and throughout the book encouraged fostering friendship and dialogue between Muslims and other faiths.

Thank you Netgalley and Zondervan for allowing me to read and review this book. ( )

The author is a Christian who was converted from Islam. While he is knowledgeable about Islam and has researched jihad, his final conclusions are faulty. I appreciated his exposition of Islamic history but found myself disappointed with his proposal of Christianity as the solution to Muslin radicals. ( )