A true jewel in the world of books!

Sacred Freedom: Western Liberalist Ideologies In The Light Of Islam by Haneef Oliver is an invaluable compendium of highly researched ancient scriptural documentation analyzing pluralism, atheism, humanism, and secularism. Granting the reader an invaluable reference and comprehensive grasp of the ideologies guiding humankind and the probable results of a pluralistic concept, Sacred Freedom insightfully and engagingly informs its readers of an uncompromisingly exclusive universal perception. Sacred Freedom is very strongly recommended to all non-specialist general readers with an interest in the philosophy and interpretation of a subject that has not been greatly studied or received much public exposure.

Click to expand...

In this slim, well-written volume, Oliver presents an Islamist view of the world that should be read widely by people of all faiths for a greater understanding of Islam. Oliver has used passages from the Qur’aan to illustrate points of view that are poorly, if at all, understood by Westerners; his careful work has resulted in an excellent book, eminently readable and clear.

While Western readers will be uncomfortable with many of his assertions, and even some Muslims may disagree with some of what he says, he has done an exceptional job of highlighting the flawed logic in use in religious arguments today on all sides of the issue of faith. However, the Qur’aan allows for no faith but Islam (as the New Testament allows for no faith but Christianity). This will make nonbelievers as uncomfortable as they would be in reading a similarly oriented text in the Christian faith, or, indeed, any other faith, since many religions claim to be the exclusive “One True Path to God.” The doctrine of exclusivity is convincing only to a faith’s own members.

That said, Oliver cites the Qur’aan first to explain how Islamist believers regard the world, and then to support his criticism of Western nations that seek to conquer civilizations they deem inferior. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s assertion, in particular, that “Islaamic civilization ‘is stuck where it was 1,400 years ago’” is ridiculous, since the Islamic world was long revered for its advances in astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Oliver also criticizes democracy in particular, citing “a Western thinker” as stating that “Democracy is ‘a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.’” Many of his rebukes are all too true – a civilization that “spreads” freedom by conquering other peoples and enforcing its own ways upon them is hardly superior – yet it could as easily be said that the faults of the West are the result of Westerners not following the dictates of their own faiths. After all, one who loves his brother as himself will not make war upon his brother.

Muslims are not exempt from Oliver’s examination, as he declares, through supporting verses of the Qur’aan, that “Muslims will only find relief from the calamities they are facing when they return to their religion in the manner that their Creator has ordained for them.”

Ironically, many “liberalist” thinkers in the West will agree with much of what Oliver says about such issues as freedom, charity, and the need to treat one’s fellow human beings with respect – as well as his criticisms of those who go to war to enforce their own principles and way of life upon others. Those who will argue most strongly against him are those whose religious beliefs allow for no deviation from their own “one true path,” and they will fail to see the wisdom contained within these pages.

Click to expand...

Thank you Haneef Oliver!
By datepalms6/5/2006

Pros:
This book is the very opportunity for those of us who have been spoon fed to realize what we have been digesting may have never even tasted good...

In Sacred Freedom, Democracy is put in a practical petri dish. I realized while reading it how much of my little white western existence I have come to accept as good and true without knowledge of its origin or without questioning its validity. This is truly an encouraging work; one that supports those who want to re-evalute not WHAT they stand for but what they WANT to stand for. As the author illustrates, it is more than possible we have bought into a system that is consistently flawed, despite the fact we call it "freedom."

Another distinctive point Oliver makes is that any one of us who believes in God as the All Encompasing Creator has to come to terms with the fact that not one of us created beings can come up with a better solution or legislation for mankind than the one who created us. After all, who knows better: a man who forgets or the All Knowing One?

When will we (and I mean westerners) understand that just because our parents, our teachers, our brothers, our sisters, our relatives, our neighbors, our close friends, our founding fathers, our ancestors, our clergy men, our service men, our reporters, our newscasters, our baby sitters, our bus drivers, our congressmen, and our country did it, said it, saw it, lived it, wrote it, shared it, learned it, reported it, supported it, lobbied it, passed it, controlled it, conspired it, conceived it, acheived it, exemplified it, extorted it, and exported it DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT!!!

And especially in the case of Silvio Berlusconi; if he said it, then well... you'll have to read the book.

Cons:
This has actually turned out to be another pro- After finishing the book I was forced to reconcile what I thought was a Christian upbringing with a truly Godless subsistence.

Comments:
There is a lot of this book that Muslims can appreciate, though it appeals to a much wider audience of non Muslims.
"Who hears the Verses of Allâh (being) recited to him, yet persists with pride as if he heard them not...." (Al-Jathiyah - 45:8)

Click to expand...

On a daily basis, we are being inundated with different kinds of manmade liberalist ideologies in the mainstream media. Because of the sheer volume and almost monotone voice of many media outlets, people are given the impression that these ideologies must be accepted by every living individual and society in the world today, and that the validity of these ideologies is not open to question.

At present, Westerners and liberalists in general are intrigued as to why people are still turning to Islaam for enlightenment in this modern age. This is particularly intriguing for those who are convinced that Islaam is something that impedes progress, and that Islaamic civilization has proven to be inferior to other civilizations as a result of its adherence to Islaam. This subject has been addressed in this book as a response to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's remark that Islaamic civilization is "stuck where it was 1400 years ago" 1.

I have also analyzed the two main reference points in Western humanist thinking throughout the book. The first of these is the belief that people are free and responsible for deciding their own actions, and therefore, that God should only have a personal, marginal place in their lives. The other important point of reference for Western policy and societal orientation is the belief that the opinion of the majority should act as mankind's principle criterion in shaping human behavior and legislation.

One of the major points of contention that liberalists have with Islaam is the reluctance the Muslim world has shown in embracing these two principles. Some liberalists take a more militant approach in trying to spread these two principles in the Muslim world, while others censure these tactics, hoping that more temperate policies will win the Muslims over to contemporary humanist values. Whatever the method, the message remains the same: Muslims must change their beliefs and eventually conform to this ever-changing series of humanist values.

After reading this book, the reader will be able to judge whether the devotion that people have towards these two principles is deserved, and whether there is any basis for people's opposition to the principles of Islaam.
............................................................................................
1 Berlusconi: The West must conquer Islam, Associated Press: Salon, September 26, 2001.

Click to expand...