Islam Books

Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER''A stunning blockbuster'' Robert Fisk''A brilliant tour de force of revisionist scholarship and thrilling storytelling'' Simon Sebag Montefiore''A compelling detective story of the highest order'' Sunday Times''Tom Holland has an enviable gift for summoning up the colour, the individuals and animation of the past'' IndependentIn the 6th century AD, the Near East was divided between two venerable empires: the Persian and the Roman. A hundred years on and one had vanished forever, while the other seemed almost finished. Ruling in their place were the Arabs: an upheaval so profound that it spelt, in effect, the end of the ancient world. In the Shadow of the Sword explores how this came about. Spanning from Constantinople to the Arabian desert, and starring some of the most remarkable rulers who ever lived, he tells a story vivid with drama, hTrade ReviewIt takes courage and intellect to confront such complexity and sensitivity. Written with flamboyant elegance and energetic intensity, Holland delivers a brilliant tour de force of revisionist scholarship and thrilling storytelling with a blood-spattered cast of swashbuckling tyrants, nymphomanaical empresses and visionary prophets... Unputdownable * The Times *A great achievement... A compelling detective story of the highest order, In the Shadow of the Sword is also a dazzlingly colourful journey into the world of late antiquity. Every bit as thrilling a narrative history as Holland's previous works, In the Shadow of the Sword is also a profoundly important book. It makes public and popular what scholarship has been discovering for several decades now; and those discoveries suggest a wholesale revision of where Islam came from and what it is * Sunday Times *Tom Holland is a writer of clarity and expertise, who talks us through this unfamiliar and crowded territory with energy and some dry wit... The emergence of Islam is a notoriously risky subject, so a confident historian who is able to explain where this great religion came from without illusion or dissimulation has us greatly in his debt * Spectator *This is a book of extraordinary richness... Tom Holland has an enviable gift for summoning up the colour, the individuals and animation of the past, without sacrificing factual integrity... He is also a divertingly inventive writer with a wicked wit... This is a history of history as it were... wonderfully hard-hitting analysis, elegantly tied into the unfolding narrative of events, with each religious establishment exposed in all its glory and treacherous realpolitik... a spell-bindingly brilliant multiple portrait of the triumph of monotheism in the ancient world * Independent *Holland's new book traces the process by which the world of the first millennium came to be dominated by one God, three religions and an innumerable succession of emperors -- Dan Jones * Daily Telegraph *It is difficult not to be bedazzled by a cast that includes ulcerated Christian holy men, Zoroastrian priests obsessed with dental hygiene, demonic emperors, barbarians with self-inflicted cranial deformities and Arab ambassadors stinking of camel -- Richard Miles * Financial Times *Sweeping and perceptive. His major achievement is to set out just how uncertain is our grasp on the immediate setting of Muhammad's life, and on the formation of the Koran. At this moment in world history above all, it should be required reading * Professor Sir Fergus Millar *Holland is a restless wanderer across the ancient world, both geographically and intellectually... A dazzling range of characters... Holland is a skilful and energetic narrator, and while he guides us along the more intricate twists and turns of the period, he also keeps our eyes on the bigger story -- Anthony Sattin * Observer *Holland leaves almost no aspect of the traditional story of Islam intact as he charts its rise to global power from the ashes of the Roman and Persian empires -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *A work of history, trying to tell the truth, as modern historians understand that fraught concept... A gripping, colourful book -- Charles Moore * Daily Telegraph *A handsome volume, tackling an important question from a novel perspective, backed by useful notes and written in an accessible and fluid style -- Michael Scott * Sunday Telegraph *A brave and valuable attempt to train the lens of popular history upon an exceptionally contentious field of study... elegant and entertaining... In the Shadow of the Sword stands as a useful, and sometimes provocative, starting point for anyone interested in approaching the birth of Islam from a historical, rather than devotional, perspective -- Thomas Ashbridge * Literary Review *Elegantly written and refreshingly free from specialist jargon... marshalling its resources with dexterity, it is a veritable tour de force -- Malise Ruthven * Wall Street Journal *Those unwilling to struggle through academic texts have long needed a guide to the story of Islam as it's understood by those with the fullest access to the latest linguistic and archaeological evidence. Now at last in Tom Holland's In the Shadow of the Sword, they finally have it -- David Frum * Daily Beast *A stunning blockbuster -- Robert Fisk * Independent *A compelling detective story of the highest order, In the Shadow of the Sword is also a dazzlingly colourful journey into the world of late antiquity. Every bit as thrilling a narrative history as Holland's previous works, [it] is also a profoundly important book -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *Written with flamboyant elegance and energetic intensity, Holland delivers a brilliant tour de force of revisionist scholarship and thrilling storytelling with a bloodspattered cast of swashbuckling tyrants, nymphomaniacal empresses and visionary prophets . . . Unputdownable -- Simon Sebag Montefiore * The Times *

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Book SynopsisMedicine of the Prophet is a combination of religious and medical information, providing advice and guidance on the two aims of medicinethe preservation and restoration of healthin careful conformity with the teachings of Islam as enshrined in the Qur''an and the hadith, or sayings of the Prophet. Written in the fourteenth century by the renowned theologian Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (d. 751AH/1350AD) as part of his work Zad al-Ma''ad, this book is a mine of information on the customs and sayings of the Prophet, as well as on herbal and medical practices current at the time of the author.In bringing together these two aspects, Ibn Qayyim has produced a concise summary of how the Prophet''s guidance and teaching can be followed, as well as how health, sickness and cures were viewed by Muslims in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The original Arabic text offers an authoritative compendium of Islamic medicine and still enjoys much popularity in the Muslim world. This English translation is a more complete presentation than has previously been available and includes verification of all hadith references.Medicine of the Prophet will appeal not only to those interested in alternative systems of health and medicine, but also to people wishing to acquaint themselves with, or increase their knowledge of, hadith and the religion and culture of Islam.

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Book SynopsisIslam has been one of the most powerful religious, social, and political forces in history. Over the last 1400 years, from origins in Arabia, a succession of Muslim polities and later empires expanded to control territories and peoples that ultimately stretched from southern France, to East Africa and South East Asia. Yet many of the contributions of Muslim thinkers, scientists, and theologians, not to mention rulers, statesmen and soldiers, have been occluded. This book rescues from oblivion and neglect some of these personalities and institutions while offering the reader a new narrative of this lost Islamic history. The Umayyads, Abbasids, and Ottomans feature in the story, as do Muslim Spain, the savannah kingdoms of West Africa and the Mughal Empire, along with the later European colonisation of Muslim lands and the development of modern nation-states in the Muslim world. Throughout, the impact of Islamic belief on scientific advancement, social structures, and cultural development is given due prominence, and the text is complemented by portraits of key personalities, inventions and little known historical nuggets. The history of Islam and of the world's Muslims brings together diverse peoples, geographies, and states, all interwoven into one narrative that begins with Muhammad and continues to this day.Trade Review'A great read . . . An excellent brief history of the driving force that made Islamic civilisation the greatest of its time and then the factors behind its decline.'--Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan'Presenting 1,400 years of Islamic civilisation in a comprehensive, easy to follow manner is no small feat . . . the book is valuable not only for its insights into lesser-known aspects of Islamic history, but also a general introduction to the subject.'

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Book SynopsisThe West and Islam--the sword and the scimitar--have clashed since the mid-seventh century, when, according to Muslim tradition, the Byzantine emperor rejected Prophet Muhammad''s order to abandon Christianity and convert to Islam, unleashing a centuries-long jihad on Christendom.Sword and Scimitar chronicles the significant battles that arose from this ages-old Islamic jihad, beginning with the first major Islamic attack on Christian land in 636, through the occupation of the Middle East that prompted the Crusades and the far-flung conquests of the Ottoman Turks, to the European colonization of the Muslim world in the 1800s, when Islam largely went on the retreat--until its reemergence in recent times. Using original sources in Arabic, Greek, Latin, and Turkish, preeminent historian Raymond Ibrahim describes each battle in vivid detail and explains the effect the outcome had on larger historical currents of the age and how the military lessons of the battle reflect the cultural faultlines between Islam and the West.The majority of these landmark battles are now forgotten or considered inconsequential. Yet today, as the West faces a resurgence of this enduring Islamic jihad, Sword and Scimitar provides the needed historical context to understand the current relationship between the West and the Islamic world, and why the Islamic State is merely the latest chapter of an old history.

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Book SynopsisA sweeping history of the often-violent conflict between Islam and the West, shedding a revealing light on current hostilities

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Book Synopsis'Remarkable . . . Infidel shows that a determined woman can change more history than her own' Christopher Hitchens, Sunday Times 'If there is one book that really addresses the existential issues of our civilisation, then Hirsi Ali's autobiography is it' Michael Burleigh, Sunday Telegraph Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of today's most admired and controversial political figures. She burst into international headlines following the murder of Theo van Gogh by an Islamist who threatened she would be next. An international bestseller, her life story INFIDEL shows the coming of age of this elegant, distinguished – and sometimes reviled – political superstar and champion of free speech. Ultimately a celebration of triumph over adversity, Hirsi Ali's story tells how a bright, curious, dutiful little girl evolves into a pioneering freedom fighter. As Western governments struggle to balance democratic ideals wi

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Book Synopsis Revive Your Heart is a call for spiritual renewal and an invitation to have a conversation with one of the world’s most recognizable voices on Islam, Nouman Ali Khan. This collection of essays is disarmingly simple, yet it challenges us to change. To revise our actions, our assumptions and our beliefs so we can be transformed from within, as well as externally. It aims to help modern Muslims maintain a spiritual connection with Allah and to address the challenges facing believers today: the disunity in the Muslim community, terrorists acting in the name of Islam, and the disconnection with Allah. These challenges and more are tackled by Nouman Ali Khan, with his profound engagement with the Qur''an, in his trademark voice that is sought out by millions of Muslims on a daily basis. About the Author Nouman Ali Khan is a Muslim speaker and the CEO and founder of Bayyinah Institute, an Arabic studies educational instit

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Book SynopsisGai Eaton''s Islam and the Destiny of Man is a wide-ranging study of the religion of Islam from a traditional point of view. Covering all aspects that a reader would wish to know about Islamincluding the Qur''an, the life of the Prophet, Islamic history, Islamic law, art and mysticismIslam and the Destiny of Man explains what it means to be a Muslim and describes how Islam has shaped the hearts and minds of Muslims down the centuries. However, in Islam and the Destiny of Man, Gai Eaton is concerned not simply with Islam in isolation, but with the very nature of religious faith, its spiritual and intellectual foundations and the light it casts upon the mysteries and paradoxes of the human condition.

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Book SynopsisExplores essential elements and teachings of the world's predominant faiths. This book emphasizes the inner - rather than the institutional - dimensions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It conveys the appeal and gifts of each of the traditions and reveals their hold on the human heart and imagination.

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Book SynopsisAcclaimed worldwide as the definitive biography of the Prophet Muhammad in the English language, Martin Lings' Muhammad: His Life Based to the Earliest Sources is unlike any other. Based on Arabic sources of the eighth and ninth centuries, of which some important passages are translated here for the first time, it owes the freshness and directness of its approach to the words of men and women who heard Muhammad speak and witnessed the events of his life.Martin Lings has an unusual gift for narrative. He has adopted a style which is at once extremely readable and reflects both the simplicity and grandeur of the story. The result is a book which will be read with equal enjoyment by those already familiar with Muhammad's life and those coming to it for the first time.Muhammad: His Life Based to the Earliest Sources was given an award by the government of Pakistan, and selected as the best biography of the Prophet in English at the National Seerat Conference in

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Book SynopsisPrior accounts have portrayed Islamic Spain either as a paradise of enlightened tolerance, or as the site where civilisations clashed. Award-winning historian Brian A. Catlos taps a wide array of original sources to paint a more complex picture, showing how Muslims, Christians, and Jews together built a sophisticated civilisation that transformed the Western world, even as they waged relentless war against each other and amongst themselves. Religion was often the language of conflict, but seldom its cause--a lesson we would do well to learn in our own time. Kingdoms of Faith rewrites Spain's Islamic past from the ground up, evoking the cultural splendour of al-Andalus and the many forces that shaped it.Trade Review'A rich narrative account of al-Andalus . . . a reminder that Islam in Europe is set in stone - in marble and mortar - and it cannot be chiselled away.' -- Financial Times'Catlos has produced a substantial new synthesis . . . a gripping, colourful and humane account of a period that ought to be better known.' -- History Today‘Catlos imparts an intimate sense of how members of different ethnic and religious communities negotiated subtle alliances and engaged in long-lasting cultural exchanges.' -- The New Yorker‘The ambition of Brian Catlos in this excellent new account is to provide not just a thoroughly up-to-date history but one that resists the narrative tug of both Right and Left. . . . he has forged a tight synthesis of the latest research in a fresh portrait of nearly a millennium of history.’'A lively, engaging history.' -- Library Journal‘A richly layered tapestry . . . Catlos knows how to tell a story.’ -- Asian Review of Books'A brilliant narrative history of the rise and fall of Muslim Spain... a balanced, lucid, and myth-breaking account of a unique society that has too often been demonised, romanticised or simplified.' -- Matt Carr, author of Blood and Faith: The Purging of Muslim Spain, 1492–1614‘A lively … account of medieval Spain and Portugal which steers away from the usual stereotypes and gives us a new, and much more nuanced account of relations and interactions between the various communities and faith groups in the peninsula.’ -- Hugh Kennedy, Professor of Arabic and author of 'Caliphate: The History of an Idea', SOAS, University of London‘In Kingdoms of Faith, Brian A. Catlos takes us through the kaleidoscopic interplay of Muslim-Christian relations, bringing clarity to a complex narrative. His deft analysis illuminates the forces brought to bear in creating both the myth and reality of life in “Moorish” Spain.’ -- Thomas F. Glick, Emeritus Professor of History, Boston University and author of 'Islamic and Christian Spain in the Early Middle Ages'‘Spirited, probing and original, this is a key history of Muslim Spain. It’s unique perspective illuminates the vexed issue of religious, political and cultural interaction between Christians, Jews and Muslims, underlining the complexity and ambiguity of medieval Spain and revealing its vital importance to the history of modern Europe too.’ -- Elizabeth Drayson, author of 'The Moor’s Last Stand: How Seven Centuries of Muslim Rule in Spain Came to an End', University of Cambridge‘Mediterranean studies have been shaped in an informative and innovative way by Brian Catlos’s contributions in the recent decades. His incursion now into the history of a specific region and polity — that of al-Andalus (Medieval Iberia under Muslim rule) — brings to the fore the same qualities that characterize his previous work: an inquisitive and incisive mind that homes in on perceptive questions, combined with the ability to recreate past events in an appealing manner for a wide audience.’ -- Maribel Fierro, Research Professor, Institute of Languages and Cultures of the Mediterranean, CSIC, Madrid‘'Kingdoms of Faith' constitutes a fresh and original contribution to the history of al-Andalus, rooted in the author’s profound knowledge of medieval Iberian history. Brian Catlos has managed to produce a very well-written and lively narrative that provides an up-to-date synthesis of the most recent developments in this field of history.’ -- Alejandro García Sanjuán, University of Huelva

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Book SynopsisAl-Ghazali on Patience and Thankfulness is a translation of the thirty-second chapter of The Revival of the Religions Sciences (Ihya'' ''Ulum al-Din). This chapter falls in the section dealing with the virtues or what is conducive to salvation. Ghazali here presents definitions for patience and its different forms; the need for patience; the degrees of patience; and why patience is considered to be half of faith.The second part of this chapter deals with thankfulness, and again Ghazali gives us definitions for thankfulness, its nature and its blessings. In addition to the translation, Dr Henry Littlejohn provides an extensive introduction which illustrates the importance of the topics of patience and thankfulness in Islam throughout the centuries.In this new edition, the Islamic Texts Society has included a translation of Imam Ghazali''s own Introduction to the Revival of the Religious Sciences which gives the reasons that caused him to write the work, the structure of the whole of the Revival, and places each of the chapters in the context of the others.

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Book Synopsis A stunning, luxurious journal and planner with elegant gold foiling and ornate cover design - undated so you can use it any year. The perfect gift for Ramadan, for those wanting to get the most out of the holy month this year.Organise and focus your Ramadan with this 30-day planner, for tracking daily prayers, goals, fasting, reading of the Quran, and to-dos. With daily duas and free journaling space, you can reflect on your progress and end each day with gratitude. With this journal, you can:- Organise your life around the things that truly matter- Set, plan and track progress towards your goals- Reflect on what you learn and what you can do to continue your worship after Ramadan- Prepare and plan for Eid al-Fitr with your loved onesIt''s also undated, so it can be used any year. Motivating and practical, this journal is the perfect companion for a fulfilling and productive Ramadan.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis is a bracing, erudite, and compelling account of the moral, political, and structural features of Islamic governance and the modern state, as well as of the multiple incongruities that hamper any attempt to establish one in terms of the other. Wael Hallaq delivers a welcome rejoinder to much of the dogmatic bluster swirling around the subject of shari'a and the Islamic state. At the same time, he brings into sharp focus the often overlooked resources for reconceptualizing 'the modern project' from within both Islamic and Euro-American traditions of moral and political thought. The historical, theoretical, and political richness of this account makes The Impossible State a new standard against which any claims about the possibility of establishing Islamic governance in the contemporary world must now be evaluated. -- Roxanne L. Euben, Wellesley College A provocative and wide-ranging rumination by one of the leading scholars of Islamic law, this book poses tough questions to champions and critics of shari'a alike. Wael Hallaq makes a powerful argument for the relevance of shari'a as a moral discourse while remaining critical of its compatibility with the modern state. The Impossible State is bound to elicit debate among scholars of Islam, moral philosophy, and modernity across the Western and non-Western divide. -- Saba Mahmood, author of Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and the Feminist Subject It is an important contribution to understanding the role and potential of the shari'a in the modern world. -- Mark D. Welton Middle East Journal A philosophical and rhetorical tour de force. Choice A refreshing take on the modern state and Islamic governance. Middle East Media and Book Reviews This book brings a detailed and impassioned exploration of key debates in Islamic law and governance into sustained conversation with canonical texts in Western political and legal theory... The Impossible State makes an important theoretical contribution. -- Iza Hussin Perspectives on Politics An important, bold, and courageous intervention that stands out not just in contemporary debates on the Shari'ah in the West and the Muslim world, but in all modern writing about the subject. American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Wael Hallaq skillfully navigates through the dominant philosophical and sociological arguments... The book is a must read for anyone even remotely dealing with conceptualisations of modernity, the state and Islamic governance. Political Studies Review An important book by a well recognized scholar on an extremely important and difficult topic. Religious Studies Review In the light of the ongoing events in the Arab world today... it is difficult to imagine a more relevant and timely contribution. Islam and Christian-Muslim RelationsTable of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Premises 2. The Modern State 3. Separation of Powers: Rule of Law or Rule of the State? 4. The Legal 5. The Political Subject and Moral Technologies of the Self 6. Beleaguering Globalization and Moral Economy 7. The Central Domain of the Moral Notes Glossary of Key Terms Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisM. A. S. Abdel Haleem's acclaimed translation of the Qur'an is now published with the original Arabic text to give a greater appreciation and understanding of the holy book. The traditional Arabic calligraphic pages are displayed alongside the English translation; the text is accompanied by an invaluable introduction, notes, and an index.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition ''[Haleem] transforms the Holy Book's complex grammar and structure into smooth, contemporary English mercifully free from archaisms, anachronisms and incoherence. The result it both accessible and compelling...a remarkable achievement' (on the English translation)' * New Statesman *a refreshing, very useful and interesting new translation ...one of the best to have appeared in recent times. * Muslim News *[Haleem] has managed to transform the complex grammar and structure of the holy book into a form of modern English which reads easily and flows smoothly without taking liberties with the inviolable text. * The Economist *[Haleem] knows the text by heart, and his intimacy with it shows in the brevity and intuitive intelligence of his solutions. * Times Literary Supplement *accurate, sensitive, well-annotated English translation of the Qur'an. * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisIn this work, here presented in a complete English edition for the first time, the problem of knowing God is confronted in an original and stimulating way. Taking up the Prophet''s teaching that ''Ninety-nine Beautiful Names'' are truly predicated of God, Ghazali explores the meaning and resonance of each of these divine names, and reveals the functions they perform both in the cosmos and in the soul of the spiritual adept. Although some of the book is rigorously analytical, the author never fails to attract the reader with his profound mystical and ethical insights, which, conveyed in his sincere and straightforward idiom, have made of this book one of the perennial classics of Muslim thought, popular among Muslims to this day.This volume won a British Book Design and Production Award in 1993.

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Book SynopsisThe Road to Makkah describes the happiness and sense of reality brought to one man by the Muslim way of life. The author does not wish to preach or to convert. He speaks only of his own unique experiences upon the road he has travelled.

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Book SynopsisWhatever our situation may be in this life, a life of struggle or comfort, our inevitable fate is the same as the life of this world is temporary. O believer, this world is not meant to be your paradise, but knowing that Paradise awaits, makes this journey so much more bearable and rewarding. Remember that every difficulty is a right, after all your struggles, all your tests, and trials know that your eternal sanctuary awaits. Jannah, that is built by your deeds and decorated by your du'as. Chalets of crystals sparkling on the horizon for a soul that gave up sin, tree trunks of green emerald and branches of gold for a simple word of remembrance. Each of your shuddering breaths, every second of discomfort you faced, and every one of your sacrifices, all have been accounted for, repaid with sights and rewards unimaginable and the company of the Most High. Build your eternal home, decorate your eternal home. Long for your eternal home...Table of Contents1. Jannah is Waiting for You2. The Moment You Enter Jannah3. Your Heavenly Welcome4. Your Home in Jannah5. How to Build Homes in Jannah6. The Fragrance of Jannah7. The Gardens of Jannah8. How to Plant Trees in Jannah9. The Four Rivers of Jannah10. Food and Drink in Jannah11. Your Clothing in Jannah12. Making a Wish in Jannah13.Your Family in Jannah14. Your Friends in Jannah

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Book SynopsisThis inspirational collection of prayers and reminders is the perfect companion for anyone who wishes to connect to the Divine. Shaykh Omar Suleiman provides us with thirty short prayers taken from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the early generations, each with a short reminder to deepen the impact of the prayer in our lives. Prayers of the Pious provides spiritual gems that serve as valuable wisdom and practical advice for the soul. By reading this short work with an attentive heart, the reader can cultivate love for God and His Messenger and live life with gratitude and contentment. The author has directed that 100% of the royalties from the sale of this book be donated to Yaqeen Institute, a US based nonprofit research institute, supporting their research and activities for the global Muslim community.Trade Review"In this concise work, Sh. Omar Suleiman has collected many precious gems from the du`as of the righteous. The reader cannot help but get swept away in the spiritual earnestness that these beseechers felt. Animated by these timeless invocations, I pray that all of us can not only use these classical prayers ourselves, but be inspired to produce our own, from the depths of our hearts, so that our du`as, too, can be heard by the Almighty." Yasir QadhiTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Best of my Days 2. His Door is Always Open 3. A Covenant with Allah 4. The Enormity of my Sins vs. His Mercy 5. The Hand that Kills Me 6. The Highest Companionship 7. O Allah, You Know that I Love You 8. The Precious Prayer of a Mother 9. The Greed of the Soul 10. A Prayer More Powerful than the Wind 11. Don’t Punish a Tongue of Praise 12. Don’t Make an Example out of Me 13. A Station of Patience without Trial 14. My Evil vs. His Good 15. The Prayer of a Tree 16. A House on Fire 17. His Prayer Amazed the Prophet 18. A Reminder of my Illness 19. Make Me Better 20. Don’t Ask Allah for Patience 21. Death after Fajr 22. Your Perfect Light 23. My Sincerity to Your Creation 24. Your Beautiful Veil 25. Oh, Teacher of Abraham 26. Your Greatness vs. My Insignificance 27. My Love for You 28. Record Me among the Blessed 29. Beautify my Character 30. Show us Guidance and Error My Prayer Journal

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Book SynopsisAN INDEPENDENT BEST BOOKS ON RELIGION 2014 PICK Few things provoke controversy in the modern world like the religion brought by Prophet Muhammad. Modern media are replete with alarm over jihad, underage marriage and the threat of amputation or stoning under Shariah law. Sometimes rumor, sometimes based on fact and often misunderstood, the tenets of Islamic law and dogma were not set in the religion’s founding moments. They were developed, like in other world religions, over centuries by the clerical class of Muslim scholars. Misquoting Muhammad takes the reader back in time through Islamic civilization and traces how and why such controversies developed, offering an inside view into how key and controversial aspects of Islam took shape. From the protests of the Arab Spring to Istanbul at the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and from the ochre red walls of Delhi’s great mosques to the trade routes of the Indian Ocean world, Misquoting Muhammad lays out how Muslim intellectuals have sought to balance reason and revelation, weigh science and religion, and negotiate the eternal truths of scripture amid shifting values.Trade Review‘Lucid, learned and engaging’ * Karen Armstrong, Sunday Times *'Brown possesses formidable knowledge of premodern Muslim scholars who sought to preserve accounts of Muhammad’s teachings and practices … Misquoting Muhammad sheds light on the considerable dynamism and sophistication within the Sunni tradition.' -- Washington Post‘Exhilarating ... Brown is among the most talented and productive scholars in the field of Islamic Studies today ... He is also a practicing Muslim who has the rare ability to sit at the feet of traditional scholars from Egypt to Malaysia for hours on end and translate that knowledge into something beneficial for his American audiences.’ * Los Angeles Review of Books *'Identifies and contextualizes the larger interpretive issues at stake in the global competition between diverse traditional and Salafi Sunni voices, and is written in such an engaging manner that the reader may find it difficult to put it down.' * Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies *‘Superb… an essential read for anyone seeking to understand Islam and the Muslim world… fascinating’ * Tribune *‘Brown ably navigates the cutting edge of Hadith studies while offering his able insight, encyclopedic knowledge of Muslim textual traditions, and awareness of the political contentiousness of scholarship in Islamic studies… highly recommended’ * ALA CHOICE Magazine *‘Misquoting Muhammad is a book I wish I had the money to buy for all my friends and colleagues, because he presents readers with a guide to Islamic thought that portrays it not as a fixed entity but as a complex product of utterly human machinations... Ultimately, Brown teaches a simple, if vital, lesson: Authenticity is elusive in religion, and those who claim it tend not to be searching for the truth but grasping for power.’ * Pacific Standard magazine *'Misquoting Muhammad makes the important point that what many Muslims believe to be essential tenets of their faith are often nothing of the sort' * Independent, best books of the year *‘There aren't many books on Islam where the Prophet Muhammad and Martin Scorsese appear together… helpful for the lay reader’ * Independent *‘an inside view into how key controversial aspects of how Islam took shape’ * Asian Art Newspaper *‘Erudite and provocative… compelling’ * Literary Review *'Eminently qualified... Brown eloquently parses Islam's rich interpretive tradition.' -- Kirkus Reviews‘An accessible yet erudite intellectual history of how the sayings and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad have been preserved and interpreted in Islamic history… This book is one of the best places to start with when seeking to understand the Islamic intellectual tradition.’ -- Chicago Review of BooksTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Notes on dates, transliteration, abbreviations and citations 1 The Problem(s) with Islam A world full of God Taking Islamic scripture and its interpreters seriously 2 A Map of the Islamic Interpretive Tradition The word of God, the teachings of His Prophet and the mind of man Obey God and obey His Messenger The beginnings of the Islamic interpretive tradition Abu Hanifa and the Partisans of Reason Malik and the authority of custom The power of reason: the Greek legacy and Islamic theology Shafi‘i and the beginnings of Sunni Islam The collection and criticism of Hadiths Putting reason in its place in Sunni theology and law The great convergence of Sunni Islam Legal theory and its discontents Sufism and inspiration from God The iconoclasts and Islamic revival Twilight of an era 3 The Fragile Truth of Scripture A crisis of confidence Canons and reading scripture with charity The turning over of an era Reading scripture so it’s true The Islamic science of epistemology and interpretation (Usul al-Fiqh) The language of God and the rhetoric of His Prophet The Qur’an: valid for all times and places Hadiths and interpreting the life of the Prophet Changing times and the reasons behind scriptural law The interaction of the Qur’an and Hadiths in time Into the weeds: the case of raising one’s hands in prayer The summer of the liberal age 4 Clinging to the Canon in a Ruptured World Upstarts at the end of time The treason of interpretation Heresy acceptable: ruptures in canonical communities Slay the unbelievers wherever you find them: jihad and (re)interpreting scripture Women cannot lead: historicizing scripture versus God’s inscrutable law Sex with little girls: interpreting scripture amid changing norms The ulama, the state and Shariah authenticity without scripture The court must not be political – morality and truth in a ruptured world 5 Muslim Martin Luthers and the Paradox of Tradition The paradox of interpretive control The rule of interpretation in the conflict between Sunni and Shiite Islam Tradition as governor, scripture as subject Killing one’s children: tradition betraying scripture Reconsidering the penalty for apostasy: tradition redeeming scripture Women leading prayer: should scripture trump tradition? The ‘Qur’an Only’ movement No escaping tradition The price of reformation The guide of tradition: a necessary but thankless job 6 Lying about the Prophet of God The truth, what’s that? Noble Lies and profound truths The ulama as guardians Appealing to the flesh: using unreliable Hadiths in Sunni Islam A familiar habit: assisting truth in Western scripture and historiography Seventy-two virgins: pragmatic truth and the heavenly reward of martyrs The cost of Noble Lying Muslim objections to the Noble Lie Genre versus book: reviving an old approach to authenticating Hadiths The dangers of Noble Lying for Muslims today Pragmatic truth and the beauty of Noble Lying 7 When Scripture Can’t Be True The Qur’an and domestic violence Who decides what God means? Courts have the final word Saying ‘no’ to the text and the hermeneutics of suspicion Appendix I: Marracci and Ockley on Aisha’s Marriage to the Prophet Appendix II: Hadiths on a Parent Killing His Child Ratings of the Hadith by Muslim critics Examination of individual narrations My evaluation of the Hadith Citations for Hadith of a Father Killing His Child Appendix III: The Hadith of riba and Incest Ratings by Hadith critics My evaluation of the Hadith of Riba and Incest Citations for the Hadith Appendix IV: The Hadith of the Seventy-Two Virgins Overall rating Citations for the Hadith of the Seventy-Two Virgins Notes Select Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisText in English & Arabic. This is the first English translation of Ibn 'Arabi's Hilyat al-abdal, a short work which he wrote in the space of an hour during his Meccan period as something that would be "of assistance for those on the Path to true happiness". Beginning with an anecdote concerning one of his Andalusian companions, Ibn 'Arabi proceeds to explain the exterior qualities of the spiritually transformed (abdal). He particularly focuses on the four essential prerequisites of spiritual discipline: silence, seclusion, hunger and vigilance, describing how these appear among both aspirants and the spiritually realised. One of the most popular of his short works, the Hilyat al-abdal was much copied, and this book includes the first critical edition of the text based on the best manuscripts, including one written in Malatya during the author's lifetime. In addition, it provides a substantial introduction on the abdal saints, and a translation of Chapter 53 from the Futuhat al-makkiyya, which deals with the same subject-matter. Published in association with the Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi Society.

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Book SynopsisIbn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode (Miftah Dar al-Sa''ada) is an abridgement of the first volume of Key to the Blissful Abode, a popular title by the renowned theologian and jurist Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya. In it, Ibn Qayyim focuses on the importance of knowledge and willpower, as means through which a person may attain Paradise. Willpower is the door and knowledge in particular knowledgewhich pertains to God and His Attributes, the Qur''an and the example of the Prophetis the key. Ibn Qayyim discusses the virtues and benefits of knowledge over wealth and worldly matters; the path to knowledge; the importance of pursuing knowledge and applying it in order to achieve guidance from God and protect oneself from doubts; the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper; the necessity of using knowledge and willpower as the bases for all actions if one is to achieve spiritual bliss. Ibn Qayyim then concludes Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode, by discussing the importance of contemplation and reflection in order to attain further knowledge and guidance.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Provides a discourse of charity that challenges and disrupts dominant secular and liberal notions of humanitarian aid. The book is recommended not only to anthropology and sociology students and scholars but also to ones of economics, theology, and religious studies.” * KULT Online *"Amira Mittermaier has written a marvelous book. Giving to God will be of considerable value not only to anthropologists of Islam and charitable giving, but also to historians and political scientists who seek to understand the persistence of a longstanding model of Islamic charity in the face of political, economic, and social upheaval." * Reading Religion *"A masterpiece of the anthropology of charity and the ethos of Islamic economics." * Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations *"Mittermaier has created an important study of Muslims negotiating their religious lives in the modern world." * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *Table of ContentsIllustrations Note on Transliteration Acknowledgments Introduction during the revolution 1 • Revolutions Don’t Stop Charity giving 2 • Divine Minimum Wage 3 • Caravan to Paradise receiving 4 • Performances of Poverty 5 • All Thanks Belong to God after the revolution 6 • Tomorrow Is Better Postscript Notes Glossary Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisOne of the world's foremost commentators on religious affairs on the history (and destiny) of the world's most misunderstood religion.In the public mind, Islam is a religion of extremes: it is the world's fastest growing faith; more than three-quarters of the world's refugees are Islamic; it has produced government by authoritarian monarchies in Saudi Arabia and ultra-republicans in Iran. Whether we are reading about civil war in Algeria or Afghanistan, the struggle for the soul of Turkey, or political turmoil in Pakistan or Malaysia, the Islamic context permeates all these situations.Karen Armstrong's elegant and concise book traces how Islam grew from the other religions of the book, Judaism and Christianity; introduces us to the character of Muhammed; and demonstrates that for much of its history, the religion has been a force for enlightenment that promoted liberties for women and allowed the arts and sciences to flourish.ISLAM shows how this progressive legacy is today often set aside as the faith struggles to come to terms with the economic and political weakness of most of its believers and with the forces of modernity itself.

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Book SynopsisHelps readers to create their own patterns, based on compositions from across the Islamic world. This book opens up the world of intricate Islamic patterns, allowing artists, designers and doodlers alike to learn about these works of art as they produce their own.

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Book SynopsisToday's discussions on Islam and the place religion should have in society often lead to questions about the Shari'a - Islamic law. Those who work for a political role for Islam demand that the Shari'a must be applied in their country, while those critical of Islam use the law as proof of its 'medieval' character. Islam is sometimes, not quite justly, called a 'religion of rules', and the rules of Islam are the Shari'a. But it is often hard to establish the exact nature of this law in more practical terms. Asking those who favour it or those who oppose it may only lead to greater confusion. But a rule and its exact opposite can both be said to be 'what the Shari'a says' and what God demands of the believer. It may even be questioned if there is any Shari'a at all in the work-a-day world, or whether it is just an ethical ideal, or a body whose secrets are known only to God. At the same time people may be stoned or mutilated in the name of this law. The key to understanding Shari'a is the concept of 'religious law', a term which might seem contradictory. 'Religion' is faith in a non-material force of some kind, and something we consider internal to the human soul. 'Law', on the other hand, is external to us, established by society in order to regulate the material needs of the community. The contrast between 'religion' and 'law' has been continuous throughout Muslim history. Islamic law has always existed in a tension between these two forces: God, who gave the law, and the state - the 'sultan' - representing society and implementing the law. This tension and dynamic have created a very particular history for the law - in how it was formulated and by whom, in its theoretical basis and its actual rules, and in how it was practised in historical reality from the time of its formation till today. That is the main theme of the book. Knut S. Vikor aims in this book to introduce the development and practice of Islamic law to a wide readership: students, lawyers and the growing number of those interested in Islamic civilisation. He summarises the main concepts of Islamic jurisprudence, discusses debates concerning the historicity of Islamic sources of dogma and the dating of early Islamic law; describes the classic practice of the law, in the formulation of legal rules and practice in the courts; and sets out various substantive legal rules, on such vital matters as the family and economic activity.Trade ReviewAn excellent introduction to Islamic law … It fulfils its aim of providing a rounded history of the subject, combined with studies of particular areas of the law (criminal law, family law, land and tax law) … a very important contribution to the field. -- Robert Gleave

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Book SynopsisWith a cast of characters ranging from Malcolm X to 50 Cent, Knight’s compelling work is the first detailed account of the movement inextricably linked with black empowerment, Islam, New York, and hip-hop. Whether discussing the stars of Five Percenter rap or 1980s crack empires, this fast-paced investigation uncovers the community’s icons and heritage, and examines its growing influence in urban American youth culture.Trade Review"Knight does an excellent job of presenting the movement’s founders, belief system and its history as seen by the people who live it." * Monsters and Critics *

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Book SynopsisThis edition includes 365 prayers covering the whole year. And with accompanying Arabic text, and the prayers fully referenced, this book is also an authentic and reliable compilation. Also in this series are Daily Wisdom: Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (9781847740182) and Daily Wisdom: Selections from the Qur'an (9781847740328).Trade Review"beautiful prayer book" Publishers Weekly"a nice gift, especially for students of Arabic or those interested in interfaith relations." Publishers Weekly"

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Book SynopsisThis revised and expanded edition of The Essential Rumi includes a new introduction by Coleman Barks and more than 80 never-before-published poems.Through his lyrical translations, Coleman Barks has been instrumental in bringing this exquisite literature to a remarkably wide range of readers, making the ecstatic, spiritual poetry of thirteenth-century Sufi Mystic Rumi more popular than ever.The Essential Rumi continues to be the bestselling of all Rumi books, and the definitive selection of his beautiful, mystical poetry.

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Book SynopsisThe author clearly shows the idea of Jesus as part of a Trinity was a Greek Pagan idea adopted by early Christian mission-aries to gain converts among the Greek, and did not become a widely accepted Christian doctrine until after the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.

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Book SynopsisWhat really happened in the centuries of conflict between Europe, Russia, China, America, and the peoples of the Muslim worldTrade Review“Crusade and Jihad is a challenging and interesting book, well written and provocative.”—Hugh Kennedy, Literary Review"In this magisterial treatment, William Polk cuts to the core of contemporary conflicts with the Muslim world, providing an accessible, often troubling account."—Joel Gordon,University of Arkansas, author of Nasser: Hero of the Arab Nation“A tour de force covering centuries of history from the perspective of the people who lived in the Muslim world, Crusade and Jihad offers a fresh and urgently needed angle on the present crisis in the Middle East that you will find nowhere else.”—Ilan Pappe, author of The Forgotten Palestinians: A History of the Palestinians in Israel“William Polk combines analytical powers and profound insight with a lively, accessible style. Crusade and Jihad is a pleasure for the mind.”—Uri Avnery, author and peace activist"With rigor and sympathy, William Polk has produced a masterpiece to enlighten us all. No one who reads Crusade and Jihad will put it down without an increased knowledge and understanding of the crucial relationship between the Islamic and Western worlds."— Charles Glass, author of Tribes with Flags and Syria Burning: A Short History of a Catastrophe “A brilliant study, analytical and authoritative. There are few overviews that can rival the depth and the range of this work.”— K.N. Chaudhuri, FBA Emeritus Professor of The History of European Expansion, European University, Florence, Italy

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Book Synopsis Revive Your Heart is a call for spiritual renewal and an invitation to have a conversation with one of the world’s most recognizable voices on Islam, Nouman Ali Khan. This collection of essays is disarmingly simple, yet it challenges us to change. To revise our actions, our assumptions and our beliefs so we can be transformed from within, as well as externally. It aims to help modern Muslims maintain a spiritual connection with Allah and to address the challenges facing believers today: the disunity in the Muslim community, terrorists acting in the name of Islam, and the disconnection with Allah. These challenges and more are tackled by Nouman Ali Khan, with his profound engagement with the Qur''an, in his trademark voice that is sought out by millions of Muslims on a daily basis. About the Author Nouman Ali Khan is a Muslim speaker and the CEO and founder of Bayyinah Institute, an Arabic studies educational instit

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Book SynopsisAs the Cold War faded into history, it appeared to have been replaced by a new conflict - between Islam and the West. Or so we are told. After the events of 9/11 and the advent of the 'war on terror', this narrative seemed prophetic. But, as Peter Oborne reveals in this masterful new analysis, the concept of an existential clash between the two is a dangerous and destructive fantasy. Based on rigorous historical research and forensic contemporary journalism that leads him frequently into war-torn states and bloody conflict zones, Oborne explains the myths, fabrications and downright lies that have contributed to this pernicious state of affairs. He shows how various falsehoods run deep, reaching back as far as the birth of Islam, and have then been repurposed for the modern day. Many in senior positions in governments across the West have suggested that Islam is trying to overturn our liberal values and even that certain Muslims are conspiring to take ovTrade Review'Oborne has taken up the unpopular cause of British Muslims, who feel misrepresented by politicians and the newspapers... The popular idea that there is a "clash of civilsations" between the West and Islam has resulted in failed wars abroad and shameful persecution at home... His analysis of the web of think tanks, politicians and journalists shaping the narrative around British Muslims is certainly eye-opening.' -- Sameer Rahim * Daily Telegraph *'There is plenty of interesting material here. Most readers will probably not realise that the American navy was created as a response to the depredations of “Barbary” pirates in the early 19th century. The heart, however, of Oborne’s book...represents an admirable piece of sustained investigative journalism. For those interested in the malign impact of Islamophobia in Britain, [the book] genuinely breaks new ground and deserves to be widely read and debated.' -- Dr Philip Lewis * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisMarried Ever After is a guide through the marriage process based on 20 timeless Qur''anic principles, insightful Prophetic examples and contemporary research on maintaining successful relationships. We know all relationships involve struggle, and challenges are an inevitable part of a believer''s life. Married Ever After teaches us how to pick the struggles that are worthy, rewarding and lead to the greatest pleasure.  Whether you are preparing for marriage, already in a marriage or contemplating ending one, Married Ever After is your companion, reminder and compass back to Divine pleasure at every stage.  Rooted in Islamic principles, we learn how our spiritual health impacts the wellbeing of our human relationships. The goal of Married Ever After is more important than ever. Learn how to revive the contentment at home, because successful thriving families are at the heart of a successful thriving Ummah.  

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Book SynopsisThis text covers those dimensions of Islamic rituals of worship - prayer, alsmgiving, fasting and pilgrimage - which are considered essential to inner fulfilment.Table of ContentsChapter 1 Prayer - Salat Excellent Merits of Prayer 1 Call to Prayer – Adhan 2 Five Set Prayers – Salat 3 Correct Performance – Ta’dil 4 Congregational Prayer – Jama‘a 5 Prostration – Sujud 6 Humble Adoration – Khushu’ 7 The Mosque and Place of Prayer – Masjid Internal Prerequisites: Actions of the Heart Humility and Conscious Awareness Internal States Conducive to Perfecting the Life in Prayer Awareness – Understanding – Reverence – Awe –Hope – Shame Medication Conducive to Inner Serenity Inner States at Each Stage of Prayer The Call to Prayer – Ritual Purity – Covering Private Parts – Facing the Qibla – Standing Upright – Intention – Takbir – Opening Invocations – Reciting the Quran – Bowing Down – Prostration – Sitting and Testifying – End of Supplication – Salutation Stories of the Humble Chapter 2 Almsgiving – Zakat 1 Understand the Purpose and Significance Testing the Degree of Love for God – Elimination of Miserliness – Expression of Gratitude 2 Payment at Proper Time 3 Give in Secret 4 Give Openly 5 Avoid Taunting and Hurting 6 Adopt Humility 7 Give the Best and the Dearest 8 Seek the Worthy and Deserving Chapter 3 Fasting – Sawm Three Grades Inward Requirements See not what displeases God – Speak not... – Hear not... – Do not... – Avoid Overeating – Look to God with Fear and Hope Importance of Observing Inward Aspects Chapter 4 Pilgrimage - Hajj Its Excellences and Its Merit The Pilgrimage The Ka’ba and Makka the Ennobled Residing in Makka Madina the Radiant 3 Fine Points of Propriety; Internal Conduct Purity of Intention and Means – Shunning Unlawful Taxes – Moderation in Expenditure – Forsaking Evil Conduct – Going on Foot – Modesty and Simplicity of Transport – Shabbiness in Dress and Appearance – Kindness to Beasts of Burden – Sacrificing Animals – Equanimity Inner States at Various Stages of Hajj Understanding – Yearning – Resolve – Severing Ties – Provisions – Transport – Purchase of Ihram – Leaving Home – Crossing the Desert – Putting on Ihram and Crying ‘Labbayk’ – Entering Makka – Seeing the Ka’ba – Circumambulating the House (Tawaf) – Touching the Black Stone – Standing at Multazam – Running between al-Safa and al-Marwa (Sa’y) – Standing at ‘Arafat – Casting Pebbles (Ramy) – Sacrificing Animals – Visiting Madina – Visiting God’s Messenger Conclusions Chapter 5 Night Vigil – Qiyam al-Layl Quranic Verses – Traditions of the Prophet – Traditions of the Companions and Their Followers Chapter 6 Invoking Blessings upon God’s Messenger Chapter 7 The Merit of Seeking Forgiveness – Istighfar

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