Book-of-the-Month for February 2006

I've selected Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television as our Book-of-the-Month.

When I first glanced at it on the bookstore shelf I thought it said Four Arguments for the Elimination of Wahhabism, obviously due to subconscious wishful thinking on my part after reading some of the articles ([1][2][3]) in the new issue of Islamica Magazine, thus my initial reaction was to think, "Why only four?!?" However, after a closer reading the actual title became apparent, thus I realized that this was the book that I've heard both Sidi Hamza Yusuf and Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller recommend in some of their lessons and lectures.

So far, it's been a unique, captivating and informative read. Although the fact that it was first written in 1978 is rather apparent, it's still extremely relevant today and it's four arguments still stand. Not only do they still stand, but they are probably even more applicable to some of today's technology, such as video and computer games. In short, this book contains some pretty scary stuff that it behooves you to be aware of.

There are certainly more technologically up-to-date books that address the impact that our electronic and information age has had on not only society at large, but on the day to day lives of ordinary human beings. One of the best of this genre is supposedly A Is for Ox: The Collapse of Literacy and the Rise of Violence in an Electronic Age, by Barry Sanders, and I've heard Sidi Hamza and Shaykh Nuh recommend it as well. However, keep in mind that in spite of its age, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television remains the classic "must read" for those of us in the 21st century who have become aware of some of the disastrous side-effects of information overload, our severance from nature and the manipulation of the masses by a corporate and government-influenced mass media.

On a certain level, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television is something of an overkill for Muslims, since we only need one solid argument for not watching television: It's a big waste of precious time. Likewise, it should be understood that this book is much more than an anti-technology rant, since it really does qualify as a profoundly reflective work of modern philosophical thought...it really is that good.

Based on this, but mainly on the fact that Sidi Hamza and Shaykh Nuh have strongly recommended that Muslims—especially Muslim parents—read Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television book, I encourage them to do so as well.

Deen On...