The Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World - Hardcover

by Mustafa Akyol (Author)

A theological and historical exploration of the connection between Islam and Judaism through the single most-mentioned character in the Quran: Moses.

There is one human mentioned in the Quran more than any other: Moses. Why is it that the Jewish prophet dominates the Islamic scripture? Because he is the role model for Muhammad, Islam's own prophet. Because Islam, just like Christianity, is deeply intertwined with Judaism -- although surprisingly little attention has been given to this fascinating connection between the two religions.

Author and journalist Mustafa Akyol takes readers on a theological and historical walk through that much-neglected side of the Abrahamic triangle: the Judeo-Islamic tradition. Using Moses' presence in the Quran as a jumping-off point, Akyol explores the first historical encounter between Muslims and Jews, the creative symbiosis and mutual enrichment that occurred between the two belief systems in medieval times, and the modern emergence, development, and perception of the two religions.

At a time of bitter conflict in the Middle East, The Islamic Moses dives into the older, deeper, and often unexpectedly brighter story of Jews and Muslims. Readers of any background will be surprised by the common historical and theological ground that exists between the two religions, and will come away with a better understanding of both.

Author Biography

MUSTAFA AKYOL is a senior fellow on Islam and modernity at the Cato Institute, and a senior lecturer at Boston College. For eight years, he was a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, covering Islam and contemporary affairs. His earlier books, Reopening Muslim Minds (2021), The Islamic Jesus (2017), and Islam without Extremes (2011) have been reviewed and praised by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and the Economist. Islam without Extremes was long-listed for the 2012 Lionel Gelber Prize literary prize, while being banned in Malaysia for challenging the "religion police."