Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women

By Soft Skull Press

In this groundbreaking collection, American Muslim women writers sweep aside stereotypes to share their real-life tales of flirting, dating, longing, and sex. Their stories show just how varied the search for love can befrom singles' events and college flirtations to arranged marriages, all with a uniquely Muslim twist.

These heartfelt tales are filled with passion and hope, loss and longing. One follows the quintessential single woman in the big city as she takes a chance on a Muslim speed-dating event. Another tells of a shy student from a liberal college town who falls in love online and must reveal her secret to her conservative family. A third recounts a Southern girl who surprises herself by agreeing to an arranged marriage, unexpectedly finding the love of her life.

These compelling stories of love and romance create an irresistible balance of heart-warming and tantalizing, always revealing and deeply relatable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Soft Skull Press
• Release date: Feb 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781593764739

Reviews for Love, InshAllah

[honeysucklepie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just have to say, it's nice to read real stories, of all types. Nice to feel a little romantic "zing" from reading stories I can relate to as well.

[mariamsultana · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very diverse depiction of Muslim women, which I appreciated. Brings up some "taboo" topics like homosexuality and premarital sex -- things that need to be discussed more within the Muslim community instead of ignored.

[purplehena · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was quite a diverse collection! Some of these stories really touched me, others left me lukewarm, and others to be honest made me recoil a bit. Let's just say that I identify more with the punk than with the polygamist :) But overall I'm glad I read this, and to know that there are others like me out there (as well as others who are nothing like me :)).

[mochimama · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just have to say, it's nice to read real stories, of all types. Nice to feel a little romantic "zing" from reading stories I can relate to as well.

[mkboylan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

These two editors have pulled together essays by Muslim American women about their love lives, although it is about much more than that.  Don't be put off by the subtitle, The Secret Love Lives of Muslim American Women.  It is about much more than that, and the contributors are serious authors.  A broad range of attitudes and ways of practicing Islam are found here, from conservative to progressive and everything in between.  That is what makes this book so heartening.  (This is my perspective as a non-Muslim.)  Multiple "races" and ethnic backgrounds are included e.g. Pakistani, Indian, African, and others.  The issues addressed are finding mates, whether arranged or not.  A good understanding is shown regarding abilities to refuse arranged partners and the greater family participation that  is common in many cultures, but unseen by those of us unfamiliar with the process.  A broad range of success/failure is also shown in these stories. There is quite a bit of info about divorced Muslim women which I found interesting and helpful.  One of the most interesting sections to me was the one about couples who meet online.  It is an interesting topic to address regarding how the relationships develop with the focus taken off of the physical.  I did get a little tired initially as it seemed I was only going to hear a bunch of little love stories, but things deepened as the book progressed and I was glad I stayed with it.  Another one of those stories where we can see how much more alike we all are than we are different.  Four stars.