How to Be a Muslim

An American Story

By: Haroon Moghul

Narrated by: Kamran R. Khan

A searing portrait of Muslim life in the West, this “profound and intimate” memoir captures one man’s struggle to forge an American Muslim identity (Washington Post)

Haroon Moghul was thrust into the spotlight after 9/11, becoming an undergraduate leader at New York University’s Islamic Center forced into appearances everywhere: on TV, before interfaith audiences, in print. Moghul was becoming a prominent voice for American Muslims even as he struggled with his relationship to Islam. In high school he was barely a believer and entirely convinced he was going to hell. He sometimes drank. He didn’t pray regularly. All he wanted was a girlfriend.

But as he discovered, it wasn’t so easy to leave religion behind. To be true to himself, he needed to forge a unique American Muslim identity that reflected his beliefs and personality. How to Be a Muslim reveals a young man coping with the crushing pressure of a world that fears Muslims, struggling with his faith and searching for intellectual forebears, and suffering the onset of bipolar disorder. This is the story of the second-generation immigrant, of what it’s like to lose yourself between cultures and how to pick up the pieces.

will be waiting for more books from Haroon

this entire book was so mesmerizing that I would listen to it every time I can , so many points were relatable and you could connect emotionally with the author. I would 100% recommend it

amazing! heartwarming and inspiring!

Incredibly well written! Really shows the American Muslim challeges of today & the deep psychological study that results in triumph

Confusion with no solution

With the historical transition taking place in the Muslim world , I always appreciate young Muslims growing up in the west who reflect on their experience as practicing Muslims in our modern time and share it with others.
What I don’t appreciate is when they turn it into sharing nothing but confusion without offering any hints to solutions, and when they look down at their faith and community as if the problem is always the corruption outside but not the weakness within.

Monotonous story telling that detracts from the actual story

The narrator does not do a good job of telling this story. Had a hard time trying to get through all the thoughts and ideas young Haroon was grappling with because of how dry the tone was the whole time.