A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF WAFA SULTAN'S A GOD WHO HATES: AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Wafa Sultan's A God Who Hates is among the contemporary works that present a critical portrayal of Islam, the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and Islamic civilization. The book has generated considerable debate due to its critique of Islamic doctrines and its interpretation of religious history. This study critically examines the major arguments advanced in A God Who Hates from an Islamic academic perspective. Employing a qualitative and analytical research methodology, the study evaluates the author's claims in the light of classical Islamic sources, contemporary scholarship, and established principles of Islamic thought. Particular attention is given to issues concerning the concept of God, the status of women, jihad, freedom of belief, and selected historical narratives discussed by the author. The findings indicate that many of the book's arguments are based on selective interpretation, generalized assumptions, and insufficient engagement with the broader Islamic intellectual tradition. The study concludes that a balanced academic evaluation requires contextual reading of Islamic primary sources together with critical engagement with modern debates on religion and society.