Back to Basics [Trying to be Muslim]

Trying to be Muslim #2

by Norhafsah Hamid

The book, 'Trying to be Muslim - Back to Basics' is a continuation of a real account of the journey of a Muslim woman who realised that she was not a Muslim in the true sense of the world. She set out to re-learn about her chosen religion. She examined the fundamental tenets of Islam and tried to make sense of it, in her own unique way. This book highlights issues that are considered 'taboo' by many Muslims. This book also offers a different and refreshing explanation of the religion through the eyes of a common person.

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Norhafsah Hamid was born in 1973 and received primary and secondary education in Malaysia. She then proceeded to pursue her studies in United Kingdom until she graduated with a law degree from Reading University, United Kingdom. She completer her Bar in Malaysia and went back to United Kingdom to work for a year. She then came back to Malaysia to commence her practice as an Advocate and Solicitor, specializing in civil litigation matters. She completed her Diploma in Syariah & Legal Practise and has been handling various Syariah matters.

Currently she has taken a break from civil practise and co-founded an NGO called 'Nadi Anissa Muslim Women Organisation. she now dedicates her time to her family and Islam.

Reviews

[Hasanah HM · Rating 4 out of 5]

An impactful book that I can relate to in so many ways, especially coming from a Malay, Muslim-majority country. If you are a born Muslim, a Malay girl, a late bloomer, a knowledge seeker and someone who just wants to know what is it truly like to become a Muslim, then this book is perfect for you. Although the author's style of writing is more inclined to catering to the female readers, it is still a good read for the opposite gender.

The book can be seen as lightweight but it definitely holds some weight in its substance :)

[Huaaa97 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for the lost soul who is re-learning about Islam.

[Zunaid Hassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salam. I bought this book from Kinokuniya book store in KLCC, Malaysia for RM 33.00.



Well, this will be tough.

This book is the sequel to Trying to be Muslim. This book just adds some more topics to discuss and adds further details to the previous topics discussed in the first book. This is a great book for light reading. The writer tries to incorporate humour in her articles which works, most of the times. Sometimes the jokes she makes about herself gets a bit too much. But those can be easily ignored with Sabr (patience).

The writer frequently refers to two anonymous characters who are close to the writer. She gives them the alias "The Wise Old Man"and "The Wise Owl". I presume they are either scholars, friends, or a family member of the writer. Either way, it is interesting to see how they answer the writer's different questions.

In the end, I believe this book will benefit everyone even a little bit. Especially sisters. May Allah guide us all and give us Jannah.

[Siti Nur Izzati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book as it is a continuation of my favorite book, Trying to be Muslim.

Can you relate as I do?
🕛 Out of 24 hours or 1440 minutes in a day, we only do sujud 17 minutes, so that means it is only 1.2% of the time in our daily lives, is for Allah SWT.

😭 One year, I found that I had completely lost my spirit of Ramadan. I physically fasted but other than that, I didn't do anything different.

📒 One of the reality slaps I received years ago was the fact that I did not know the contents of a miraculous book called Quran.

Since this book involves her quest in re-learning Islam, she wrote it in first point of view. I can easily relate with her idea. I love this book and looking forward to re-read before next ramadan.
Thank you so much dear author.

[Rafidah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing. Love the author's zany and candid perspectives. Witty sarcastic remarks ..

[th. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars (since it's my first book of the year and a continuation of my last book of 2022 which was the prequel of this book, I'm rounding this up :D)

In all honesty though, this could've been combined with Trying to be Muslim. With ruthless editing that is very much needed. There were a bit more repetition (both from inside the same book AND from previous book) and also typo and grammar errors.

Regardless, the reasons why I liked B2B is similar to TBM; the author's points made me think, these reminded me of knowledge I already know but conveniently forgot, and the author is humanly relatable = she gets angry, she gets inquisitive, she has a lot questions and I feel validated that we CAN ask those questions and not be titled as someone trying to go against the religion. I'm grateful that she gave us the answers from her research/reading (and of course, her advices received from both Wise Owl/Old Man) for us.

There are some views that we are not aligned with at the moment, but I believe that I can change my mind someday, may Allah guide me towards the straight path Amiin!

Here's to me going back to basics for 2023 :)

[Azhanisradzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book answer my questions. This book talk to me. Such an easy words to understand why this and this things happened in our life.

I am very sure that every of us might experienced of losing friends. I faced it. I tought that they were walk away from me or i did bad things to them. I cried, a lot. I dont know why.

Later when i bought this book, I know why its happened.

[Amal Jamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likes:
I love the fact that the author relates and reflects her own experiences (ie stories) based on Quranic ayāh & Prophet Muhammad’s hadith. Going through this book felt more like conversing with the writer rather than reading.

Dislikes:
Based on my understanding, the chapters aren’t organised according to any coherent structure; making me felt a bit lost sometimes. She sometimes would digress from her original points too.

[Ieza · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring book, an eye opener that there a lot of things in life need our attention and action. Especially in relation to our deen, our believes and practices in Islam..

[Aishah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not really that over the moon of the style of her writing but 4 stars for content. Well researched and straightforward. Excellent for a light and go-to read.

[Anis Zulkifli · Rating 4 out of 5]

good for my reflection as a muslim

[Fatin Azira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy it so much — it feels very personal because I can relate it to it a lot.

[Hakimah Saidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kinda love this book. All the topics are very interesting. For me, how the author's clarify each topic and related it with qur'an code and hadith are very interesting. I should read the 1st volume first.

[Della Nadzri]

continuation from trying to be muslim.

[Rayhaanah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful read!