Product Description

This literary release seeks to engage readers in meaningful dialogue, communal reflection, and social and spiritual change. Scattered Pictures is an anthology of essays that discuss difficult and oftentimes controversial topics. In these turbulent times, these are issues that if left unaddressed, could continue to spiral downwards into serious political, social and religious discord. This shining new book will appeal to all readers interested in critical solutions for a harmonious understanding across divides in humanity and is an innovative guide for students at both the high school and college levels.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #799486 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-23
• Released on: 2007-11-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 186 pages

Review

"On the issue of civilization, one has to remember that Islamic Civilization is a very important episode in our history of mankind, and someone like Zaid Shakir is a student of it and knows the literature and what it has achieved. And many of the big, loud-mouthed voices in modern politics pretend to speak for Islam and don't speak for that civilization at all. They have lost all contact with the philosophers and the poets".

Dr. Scruton also said, he was "encouraged" by his exchange with Imam Zaid, and saw signs of hope in the ongoing engagement of Muslims and the West. -- British political philosopher - Dr. Roger Scruton, author of "Culture Counts: Faith and Feeling in a World Besieged".

"Imam Zaid Shakir is one of the towering principle voices not only in contemporary Islam, but in American society." -- Dr. Cornel West, author of "Democracy Matters", #1 Best Seller

Outstanding Brilliance in literature! It truly Speaks out Volumes for Itself! -- An Intellectual Genius, a homeowner, 08/21/2007 - 5 Stars

describes Imam Zaid Shakir as a "leading intellectual light", a gifted scholar, author and lecturer, is fast becoming one of the most influential voices for Islam in the West, as well as a compelling force for the improvement of race relations in America. -- The New York Times

Great Book! I think that Imam Zaid Shakir is a great speaker and the book has a lot influence on the young generation like me. He is a great outspoken down to earth person. I really think that the youth should really get this book it's great. -- Anna, someone who loves books, 12/02/2006 - 5 Stars

Remarkable, Insightful, Intellectually stimulating and uplifting, Policy-making Approach to Literary Brilliance! This Book not only covers the whole life of An American African Muslim living in America but also provides the solutions to the ills faced by all western thinking muslim students of thought and non muslims alike. Nothing makes better reading! Also recommended: The Heirs Of the Prophets by Zaid Shakir -- Yasmin, A reviewer, 01/27/2007 - 5 Stars

From the Author
Scattered Pictures originated from a desire to share with a wider audience a traditional Muslim perspective on many of the critical issues that are part of the evolving socio-political discourse shaping our world. I felt that in many instances people who were unqualified to comment on current affairs were being given an audience that they were undeserving of--both Muslim and non-Muslim. As a result in many instances more harm than benefit resulted from their articulations.

Many of the issues I discuss in the book were on my mind for a long time. Over a period of about two years, from 2003 to 2005, I was able to articulate most of them in the form of a series of essays, most of which were published on the website of the Zaytuna Institute, currently based in Berkeley, California. The idea of printing them in a single volume was motivated by the desire to make them accessible to a wider audience, and to present them in a medium that had more permanence.

I think that the book is a culmination of my long years of studying Islam and express ideas that are rooted in two worlds, that of Islam and the modern west. My studies, and both of those worlds gives me a unique perspective that cannot be gained except after many long years of travel down the diverse roads this life presents to the earnest traveler.

From the Back Cover
"This collection of Zaid Shakir's essays is long overdue. For some years now he has brought a clarity of mind and feeling to substantive issues challenging Muslims today. It is good to see some of his fire-fly, lightning bolt thinking captured in words and put between covers." - Michael Wolfe, author of The Hadj: An American's Pilgrimage to Mecca

"Imam Zaid Shakir has compiled in this volume a number of his articles which address some of the burning issues that challenge all religious men and women in the United States of America and beyond. What is remarkable about this text is its message of hope. Deeply rooted in the Western and Islamic traditions, and bent on reconciling and profiting from both of them, Imam Shakir has written a text that could serve as a useful model for younger Muslims coming from a similar background. His reflections in this text have made it clear to me that the person who wrote this book is a man whose mental furniture has been properly re-arranged by his encounter with the Qur'an and the legacy of Prophet Muhammad. Muslims and non-Muslims will find much inspiration from teh messages that are beautifully packaged for those who think seriously and critically." - Sulayman S. Nyang, Ph.D., Howard University

"The clarity with which Imam shakir delves into issues such as the true nature of jihad and the relationship between Islam and the African American struggle leaves the reader with new insights and imparts him or her a satisfying resolution to many unspoken issues and hardened realizations common to man Muslims today." - Yahiya Emerick, author of Muhammmad (Critical Lives series)

Customer Reviews

A must read for all
Imam Zaid Shakir is one of the most brilliant thinkers of our time. His writings prove to be a source of clarity in a time of confusion for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It is quite rare to find an individual who is well versed in both the Islamic and the Western traditions. In Scattered Pictures he has compiled some of his most thought provoking essays from the past few years. He has dealt with both traditional issues such as the true meaning of Jihad to the more contemporary issues such as the challenges faced by American Muslims after September 11th. This book will give you a glimpse into Islam, which is rarely seen in today's world. I highly recommend this book.

Listen in to American Muslim Discourse
Scattered Pictures, a compilation of Imam Zaid Shakir's articles, is a welcome contribution to the emerging discourse on the American Muslim experience. While the essays selected for this volume are tailored toward an audience that shares Imam Zaid's religion, they can also benefit readers from other perspectives who hope to listen in on the internal Muslim conversation. Imam Zaid Shakir is one of the leading voices in contemporary American Islam.

Scattered Pictures is an inspiration
In his book Scattered Pictures: Reflections of An American Muslim, Imam Zaid Shakir confronts a myriad of provocative issues facing the contemporary muslim. His elegant style in writing his essays convey the insight and clarity sought by muslims confused on how to define Jihad, or how to define Human Rights within the Islamic tradition. In short, this is a great book that provides the inspiration for religious minded individuals in America and abroad.