Inside Islam Book Review

Another book review that I inadvertently disappeared during site maintenance.

Inside Islam
A Guide for Catholics
100 Questions and Answers

By Daniel Ali & Robert Spencer
Ascension Press 2003
179 Pages; US$11.99
ISBN 9780965922852

As the title notes, this book has an intended audience. This book is apologetic in nature, and as such primarily compares and contrasts Catholic doctrines with Islamic ones. However, that is not to say this book is unusable by non-Catholics. This book is a good, basic introduction to Islam. It covers:

• The Confession of Faith (shahada)
• The Five Pillars of Islam
• The Six Articles of Islamic Faith
• History of Islam
• Differences between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims
• Jizya tax on dhimmis

and many other topics. Pulls no punches whatsoever. Probably not the work to refer to before meeting a new Muslim friend, but very informative. Useful as a quick reference guide. Not a deep or sympathetic investigation of the spiritual practice or theology of Islam.