The Atheist Muslim

A Journey from Religion to Reason

By: Ali A. Rizvi

Narrated by: Neil Shah

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

In much of the Muslim world, religion is the central foundation upon which family, community, morality, and identity are built. The inextricable embedment of religion in Muslim culture has forced a new generation of nonbelieving Muslims to face the heavy costs of abandoning their parents' religion: disowned by their families, marginalized from their communities, imprisoned, or even sentenced to death by their governments.

Struggling to reconcile the Muslim society he was living in as a scientist and physician and the religion he was being raised in, Ali A. Rizvi eventually lost his faith. Discovering that he was not alone, he moved to North America and promised to use his new freedom of speech to represent the voices that are usually quashed before reaching the mainstream media - those of Atheist Muslims.

The Atheist Muslim recounts the journey that allows Rizvi to criticize Islam - as one should be able to criticize any set of ideas - without demonizing his entire people. Emotionally and intellectually compelling, his personal story outlines the challenges of modern Islam and the factors that could help lead it toward a substantive, progressive reformation.

©2016 Ali A. Rizvi (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"By demanding a space for questioning Islam openly that does not devolve into attacking individual Muslims, the work pushes towards the possibility of a cultural Islam that maintains family and ethnic traditions without requiring belief." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great book

Engaging and made me think differently about my religion. Excellent narration. Embolden my belief in my faith reformation

Beautifully written and read.

This book is deeply engaging, balanced, brave, honest and informative. I learned a great deal and will refer back to it often. Dr. Rizvi has a gift for narrative. Mr. Shah reads with emotive clarity. I highly recommend!

A New Perspective

I learned so much about what it means to be Muslim. I am hopeful that theist hear this book. You will some insightful perspectives.

A very courageous book

It took a lot of courage for a former Muslim to write such a book. The clarity of thought and fairness of presentation really stand out. It is a very moving account of Dr. Rizvi's personal spiritual journey.

Excellent!

A must read for any #ExMuslim or those in a relationship with them. Empowering, empathetic, and enlightening, this book does an excellent job of explaining the issues with Islam (the ideas), the genuine good of Muslims (the people), and the reform so desperately needed.

Having grown up in the religion and having left it more than a decade ago—as I embarked on a lifetime of learning and a career in science and technology—I found this book gave me the words to describe what I intuited as wrong with the religion. Further, it helped me resolve the dichotomy of why I love my family so much, while abhorring their beliefs.

I will certainly be recommending this book to all those I know and reading it again for years to come :)

P.S. The eulogy in Chapter 9 nearly brought me to tears and is an excellent example of overcoming the last vestiges of the necessity of religion.

Excellent reading!

What an insightful and interesting book! A well written and engaging discussion of one of the most important issues of our day. Ali speaks from the viewpoint of one perfectly placed to offer a deep insight into the plight of one of the most persecuted minorities on the planet, the apostate Muslim. More than this, he gives the thousands if not millions around the world who are in that position the assurance that they're not crazy, broken or dammed. This is how the kind of change that tangibly makes the world a better place happens.

Rational & Poignant

Well argued case for secularism and liberalism for Muslims. Also, a breadth of information for non-Islamic readers/listeners.

Amazing book!

Well written with great insight and meticulous support. A must read for everyone, especially young Muslims.

Incredibly important book

Such an important book that could apply to anyone of faith, but especially Muslims who are at any stage of asking questions. Very thorough and informative, but well-paced and clear. It also does well to keep a historical context in mind.

Finally! The book I’ve been waiting for.

Deliciously written introduction to a secular view of Islam. Now there are Five Horsemen. Rizvi joins Dawkins, Harris, Hitch, Dennett.