Islam Books

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Book SynopsisAs the earliest monument of Arabian prose literature, the Sira remains a work of the first importance.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Ambitious and field-defining, Leila Ahmed’s Women and Gender in Islam laid the foundations for decades of scholarship on Muslim history and thought."—Kecia Ali, Boston University

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Book SynopsisThis humble effort is an attempt to facilitate the Tilaawah of The Holy Quran with proper Tajweed.

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Book SynopsisThe life and legacy of one of Mohammad’s closest confidants and Islam’s patron saint: Ali ibn Abi TalibTrade Review“Ali was a hugely gifted thinker and speaker, one of the earliest scribes and something of a poet. But it is hard to be objective about him. The evidence is often contradictory and he is shrouded by accretions, pious and otherwise. In The Prophet's Heir, Hassan Abbas - an enthusiast for his subject, and an objective enthusiast - pursues Ali on the ground. Fantastic.“—Tim Mackintosh-Smith, author of Arabs“An erudite and accessible biography of Ali, one that tells his life story, and discusses his teachings and values, and how his legacy continues to loom large over Muslim world.”—Vali Nasr, author of The Shia Revival"This erudite but readable book shows why the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law Ali is central to Islam today, and should be both an inspiration and a figure for reconciliation."—John McHugo, author of A Concise History of Sunnis & Shi'is

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Book SynopsisOver 800 years since his death, Saladin''s fame as the Muslim liberator of Jerusalem, the great foe of Richard the Lionheart and the paragon of justice and nobility remains as powerful as it was during his lifetime.In this new edition, the author A. R. Azzam traces the historical rise of the great Kurdish general and the dramatic events that led to his famous victory at the battle of Hattin. The author also examines how Saladin became a legend in his own lifetime and how and why the legend has continued to endure so powerfully to the present age. But in Saladin: The Triumph of Sunni Revival, the author goes beyond the myth and argues that the legend of Saladin''s chivalry has neglected his inner spiritual life and beliefs and the vital role he played in upholding religious orthodoxy. Thus, Saladin: The Triumph of Sunni Revival is not just the study of the man but also the study of the historical age in which he lived and of the profound intellectual forces that influenced his thoughts and actions so deeply. It is a study of the power of an idea and how this idea, the Sunni Revival, began to take root and flourish in the century before Saladin was born and spread rapidly across the Muslim worldfrom Baghdad to Damascus, from Damascus to Cairo and ultimately and triumphantly, thanks to Saladin, from Cairo to Jerusalem.This book starts in Baghdad with the disintegration of the Abbasid caliphate, and introduces great figures such as Nizam ul-Mulk and al-Ghazali. And although this may appear to have little relevance in a biography of Saladin, A. R. Azzam argues that Saladin was in reality a child of the Sunni Revival and that it was the ideals of this Revival which more than anything affected his beliefs and actions and constitute the foundations of the greatness of his political and spiritual vision.

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Book SynopsisAcross the Islamic world, illuminating Korans from Morocco to Malaysia, and adorning mosques, mausoleums and palaces, are hidden some of the most exquisite geometrical devices ever conceived by man. In this excellent little book, geometer Daud Sutton unravels the mystery of Islamic patterns, explaining where they come from, how to draw them, and hinting at the Divine messages they encode. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisNo Birds of Passage explores the remarkable business success of three Gujarati Muslim commercial castes: the Bohras, Khojas, and Memons. Often stereotyped as “Westernized” and as Hindus in all but name, these groups are better seen as having developed a distinctive Muslim capitalism, in which religious and commercial prerogatives are inseparable.Trade ReviewThis is an audacious scholarly conversation between received categories of classical political economy and South Asian Islam that is likely to provoke debate among specialists in the field. For the general student of history however, it is a book that demands close attention for its outstanding contributions to the craft, both in its expansive approach toward the archive as in its deft interweaving of religion, culture and politics within the complex terrain of capitalist enterprise and law. The structure, prose and narrative richness of the book are likely to ensure a life for it outside the scholarly niche of economic history. -- Madhumita Mazumdar * Telegraph India *No Birds of Passage is a brilliant and strikingly innovative contribution to the history of trade and diaspora in the Indian Ocean. Based on an impressive array of sources, it tells a compelling story about the emergence of a distinctive form of Muslim capitalism that continues to shape the region today. -- Sunil Amrith, author of Unruly WatersThe intersection of community, caste, and capitalism is a matter of abiding interest for South Asian historians of both the early modern and modern periods. Michael O’Sullivan’s well-documented and closely argued work on Gujarati Muslim entrepreneurs over two centuries is a significant intervention in this field. It merits a wide readership, and is also certain to provoke debates well beyond the confines of South Asian studies. -- Sanjay Subrahmanyam, author of Europe’s IndiaThis sophisticated and fine-grained case study is a model of how to write revisionist economic histories that resonate with the experiences of people in most of the world. No Birds of Passage succeeds precisely because its conceptual apparatus is built on giving endogenous institutions their due, bringing together a range of sources in multiple languages, and openly embracing paradoxes without which this story of Muslim capitalism would have remained illegible. This is an exciting contribution to the burgeoning global histories of capitalism. -- Mrinalini Sinha, author of Specters of Mother IndiaA major contribution to South Asian history. O’Sullivan’s sweeping account of Gujarati Muslim business communities is more than a business history. It is an impressive examination of how the Khojas, Bohras, and Memons reshaped community corporate identities through their interactions with the colonial state, Indian nationalism, Muslim politics, and postcolonial regimes. -- Douglas E. Haynes, author of Small Town Capitalism in Western IndiaThis is a landmark work of scholarship, meticulously recovering the transimperial worldviews of Gujarati Muslim business communities both before and after the age of imperial capitalism. Attentive to historical asymmetries of race and sovereignty, O’Sullivan’s dynamic and capacious study will inform future work on imperial and postcolonial economic history as well as on the social-religious logics of capital accumulation. -- Manu Goswami, author of Producing India

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Book SynopsisLearn about the history and traditions of the Islamic faith in The Islam Book.Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Islam in this overview guide to the subject, great for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Islam Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Islam, with:- Images of Islamic art, architecture, calligraphy, and historical artefacts- Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts- A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout- Straightforward text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understandingThe Islam Book is a comprehensive guide essential to understanding the world''s fastest-growing religion - aimed at self-educators after a trustworthy account and religious studies students wanting to gain an overview. Here you''ll find clear factual writing offering insight into terms like Sharia law, the Caliphate, and jihad; Sunni and Shia divisions; and Sufi poetry and music.Your Islam Questions, Simply ExplainedThis essential guide to Islam covers every aspect of the Muslim faith and its history - from the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the teachings of the Koran to Islam in the 21st century. If you thought it was difficult to learn about one of the world''s major religions, The Islam Book presents key information in an easy to follow layout. Find out about modern issues such as fundamentalism, the work of peaceful traditionalists, modernisers, and women''s rights campaigners, as well as the central tenets of Islam, such as prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage.The Big Ideas SeriesWith millions of copies sold worldwide, The Islam Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

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Book SynopsisA nuanced and highly original anarchistic interpretation of Islam, and Islamic interpretation of anarchismTrade Review'This is one of the fiercest books I've ever read. It is a call to action. It is conceptually rich and gives us new methodological tools for thinking theory and politics together. It is unrelenting in its critique of liberal assimilationist tendencies in diasporic and BIPOC knowledge production and movement organizing. Abdou is a truth-teller of the highest order. Drawing together disparate geographies and thought into a dazzling web of interconnectedness and dialogue, Islam and Anarchism proffers a kaleidoscopic vision of what could be otherwise' -- Jasbir K. Puar, author of 'Terrorist Assemblages' and 'The Right to Maim''A passionate plea for a spiritual decolonial movement. Mohamed Abdou advances a vision of Islam that is abolitionist at its core, reminding us that Islam has been and can still be a religion of the oppressed, one that is anti-capitalist, egalitarian, anti-ableist, anti-patriarchal, queer feminist and for Muslims and non-Muslims alike' -- Sherene H. Razack, Distinguished Professor and Penny Kanner Endowed Chair, Gender Studies, UCLA'An uncompromising queer-feminist vision of decolonial, abolitionist, and anti-capitalist praxis that is keyed to the pluralistic traditions of Islamic spirituality and anarchic thought' -- Iyko Day, Elizabeth C. Small Associate Professor of English and Critical Social Thought at Mount Holyoke College, MassachusettsTable of Contents1. Introduction: Panegyric Desert of the Present 2. Authoritarianism, Capitalism, & Capitalist Nation-States: Anarca-Islam's Space and Political Consciousness in Relation to Anarchism, Islam and the Capitalist-State 3. An Anti- and Non-Authoritarian Islam and an Anti- & Non-Capitalist Islam 4. (Im)Possibilities and on Becoming an Anti-Militaristic Militant 5. Conclusion: There are Only Middles, No Beginnings and No Ends: A Note On Transnational Solidarity and Standing In-Between Trump, BLM, DAPL-INM, and Tahrir

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Book SynopsisRecommended on The Rest is Politics and Empire 'A masterly engagement with the most delicate and important of subjects - filled with gentle empathy, learning and rare balance' Rory Stewart 'Rogerson is an original - eloquent and always fascinating' William Dalrymple 'Brilliant' Anita Anand 'This is not a book to be ignored' The Times At the heart of the Middle East, with its regional conflicts and proxy wars, is a 1400-year-old schism between Sunni and Shia. To understand this divide and its modern resonances, we need to revisit its origins, which go back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632, the accidental coup that set aside the claims of his son Ali, and the slaughter of Ali's own son Husayn at Kerbala. These events, known to every Muslim, have created a slender faultline in the Middle East. The House Divided follows these narratives from the first Sunni and Shia caliphates, through the medieval caliphates and empires of the Arabs, Persians and Ottomans, to the contemporary Middle East. It shows how a complex range of identities and rivalries - religious, ethnic and national - have shaped the region, jolted by the seismic shift of the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Rogerson's original approach takes the modern chessboard of nation states and looks at each through its particular history of empires and occupiers, minorities and resources, sheikhs and imams. The result is a book of wide-ranging empathy, understanding and insights.Trade ReviewA masterly engagement with the most delicate and important of subjects - filled with gentle empathy, learning and rare balance -- Rory StewartBrilliant -- Anita Anand * Empire *Rogerson is an original - eloquent and always fascinating -- William DalrympleA balanced, sweeping, hugely ambitious work that delves into the long and tangled roots of the modern Middle East * Literary Review *This digestible history of the restless region is a useful alternative to academic tracts ... it has answers to several of the basic questions: the difference between Sunni and Shia, how Turkey and Iran aren't Arab, but are important anyway, and, sometimes, just how much Britain has to answer for in the Middle East ... this is not a book to be ignored -- Richard Spencer * The Times *Impressive ... a highly readable, lovingly researched, romantic and engaging history * Spectator *This book is a tour de force. One of the best summary histories of Islam from its beginnings until today I have come across. Informative, engaging, and excitingly written, it is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the origins and development of a great world religion -- Ghada Karmi, author * In Search of Fatima *A lucid, vivid and sweeping history of the divisions within Islam and their destructive impact on the contemporary Muslim world. Barnaby Rogerson takes you to the heart of the arguments and battles, revealing some stark truths. This is history as a living entity. A dazzling achievement -- Ziauddin Sardar, author * In Search of Mecca *Rogerson is a master storyteller, equally at home sketching the intimacies of the Prophet's household as he is illuminating geopolitical trends across the world of contemporary Islam -- Matthew Teller, author * Nine Quarters of Jerusalem *Rogerson knows that things are much more complex than Sunni versus Shia. But in its depiction of the multiple cats' cradles of tensions, The House Divided is jauntily readable and thought-provoking about a Middle East still in the middle of global crises, and still, as so often, misunderstood -- Tim Mackintosh-Smith, author * Arabs: A 3,000-Year History of Peoples, Tribes and Empires *Praise for Barnaby Rogerson * : *Rogerson has a novelist's gift for filling out the characters of his main players -- Noel MalcolmRogerson is an excellent story-teller -- Norman StoneRemarkable - Barnaby Rogerson has succeeded in isolating all the different strands of North African history -- John Julius NorwichRogerson is eccentric and eclectic but always iconoclastic. He is not afraid to explore and elucidate the recondite in a way a more formal academic would not -- Ross Leckie

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Book SynopsisAs the specter of religious extremism has become a fact of life today, the temptation is great to allow the evil actions and perspectives of a minority to represent an entire tradition. In the case of Islam, there has been much recent confusion in the Western world centered on distorted portrayals of its core values. Born of ignorance, such confusion feeds the very problem at hand.In The Heart of Islam one of the great intellectual figures in Islamic history offers a timely presentation of the core spiritual and social values of Islam: peace, compassion, social justice, and respect for the other. Seizing this unique moment in history to reflect on the essence of his tradition, Seyyed Hossein Nasr seeks to open a spiritual and intellectual space for mutual understanding. Exploring Islamic values in scripture, traditional sources, and history, he also shows their clear counterparts in the Jewish and Christian traditions, revealing the common ground of the Abrahamic faiths.Nasr challenges members of the world''s civilizations to stop demonizing others while identifying themselves with pure goodness and to turn instead to a deeper understanding of those shared values that can solve the acute problems facing humanity today. Muslims must ask themselves what went wrong within their own societies, he writes, but the West must also pose the same question about itself . . . whether we are Muslims, Jews, Christians, or even secularists, whether we live in the Islamic world or in the West, we are in need of meaning in our lives, of ethical norms to guide our actions, of a vision that would allow us to live at peace with each other and with the rest of God''s creation. Such help, he believes, lies at the heart of every religion and can lead the followers of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) as well as other religious and spiritual traditions to a new future of mutual respect and common global purpose.The Heart of Islam is a landmark presentation of enduring value that offers hope to humanity, and a compelling portrait of the beauty and appeal of the faith of 1.2 billion people.Trade Review"This is exactly the right book... to counter the demonizing stereotypes of Islam proliferated by the war on terrorism" -- Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions "Professor Nasr has put the beauty and appeal of Islam into clear and readable English." -- John Shelby Spong, author of A New Christianity for a New World "This sensitive, insightful and beautifully written book comes as a ray of sunshine." -- Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God "Filled with challenge and insight...an indispensable text." -- Rabbi Michael Paley "A lasting, honest, and intimate tour of Islam's basic aspects..." -- The [New Jersey] Star-Ledger "A first-tier Islamic scholar ... it is hard to imagine a better introduction to the faith." -- Library Journal "[I]t is hard to imagine a better introduction to the faith." -- Library Journal "An illuminating new book that explores the spiritual and social values of the faith of one-fifth of humanity." -- Christian Science Monitor "The most important study of Islam in all its breadth and all its depth available in the English language." -- Gai Eaton, author of Islam and the Destiny of Man "Concise, clear, and eloquent, it has the crystalline ring of the voice of reason and cuts through layers of ignorance." -- The World & I

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Ibn Taymiyya (1263–1328) of Damascus was one of the most prominent and controversial religious scholars of medieval Islam. He called for jihad against the Mongol invaders of Syria, appealed to the foundational sources of Islam for reform, and battled against religious innovation. Today, he inspires such diverse movements as Global Salafism, Islamic revivalism and modernism, and violent jihadism. This volume synthesizes the latest research, discusses many little-known aspects of Ibn Taymiyya’s thought, and highlights the religious utilitarianism that pervades his activism, ethics, and theology.

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Book SynopsisAbdallah Azzam, the Palestinian cleric who led the mobilization of Arab fighters to Afghanistan in the 1980s, played a crucial role in the internationalization of the jihadi movement. Killed in mysterious circumstances in 1989 in Peshawar, Pakistan, he remains one of the most influential jihadi ideologues of all time. Here, in the first in-depth biography of Azzam, Thomas Hegghammer explains how Azzam came to play this role and why jihadism went global at this particular time. It traces Azzam''s extraordinary life journey from a West Bank village to the battlefields of Afghanistan, telling the story of a man who knew all the leading Islamists of his time and frequented presidents, CIA agents, and Cat Stevens the pop star. It is, however, also a story of displacement, exclusion, and repression that suggests that jihadism went global for fundamentally local reasons.Trade Review'For anyone wishing to understand the story of global jihad, understanding the life and thought of Abdallah Azzam is essential. Hegghammer provides a first-rate guidebook. Meticulously researched, this reads like a Graham Greene thriller - only it's true.' James L. Gelvin'Thomas Hegghammer's exceptional book is a detailed account of the life of Abdallah Azzam, Islamist ideologue, activist and organiser. It is a fascinating story in itself, told with forensic skill and a powerful sense of place and time. But it is also much more than this. Through this narrative of Azzam's ideas and activities we get an unparalleled insight into the many dimensions of the world of transnational Islamism.' Charles Tripp, author of The Power and the People: Paths of Resistance in the Middle East'Thomas Hegghammer's long-awaited biography of Abdallah Azzam turns out to be more than an interesting account of his life. It is about the rise of global jihadism, an entirely new phenomenon in the 20th century. Azzam's role cannot be fully appreciated without this valuable book.' Lawrence Wright, author of The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11'The Caravan deals with a highly sensitive and controversial subject, but it is evidence-based, meticulous and full of carefully judged distinctions - recent history at its finest.' Ian Black, The Observer'… Hegghammer's massive research effort makes this essential reading for all scholars studying terrorism.' S. Waalkes, Choice'The book is a remarkable scholarly achievement that adds new and provocative layers to the study of jihadism in Africa.' Sebastian Elischer, Comparative Politics'The trouble the author has taken to foolproof his conclusions, interviewing the largest cast of characters and triangulating just about every testimony, is remarkable … Hegghammer consistently fills gaps in the history of the transnational jihadist movement.' José S. Vericat, Journal of Palestine Studies'The Caravan – Abdallah Azzam and the Rise of Global Jihad is an important addition to the scholarship of jihadism and political Islam. It is not a dry academic text; it's simply a good read for anyone interested in some of the most significant developments in modern history. Hegghammer's panoramic view of jihadism makes this book a vital resource for anyone seeking to further understand the development of jihadism.' Ilan Fuchs, AMU Edge'Hegghammer's book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the origins of the global jihad movement and the soil from which al-Qaeda sprung.' A. J. Caschetta, Middle East QuarterlyTable of ContentsIntroduction; Prologue; 1. Palestinian; 2. Brother; 3. Fighter; 4. Scholar; 5. Vagabond; 6. Writer; 7. Pioneer; 8. Diplomat; 9. Manager; 10. Recruiter; 11. Ideologue; 12. Mujahid; 13. Resident; 14. Enemy; 15. Martyr; 16. Icon; Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisUtilising a pioneering theological and hermeneutic framework adapted from both classical Muslim literature and contemporary academic studies of the Qur'an, Ramon Harvey explores the underlying principles of its system of social justice.

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Book SynopsisEarly Islam has emerged as a lively site of historical investigation, and scholars have challenged the traditional accounts of Islamic origins by drawing attention to the wealth of non-Islamic sources that describe the rise of Islam. A Prophet Has Appeared brings this approach to the classroom. This collection provides students and scholars with carefully selected, introduced, and annotated materials from non-Islamic sources dating to the early years of Islam. These can be read alone or alongside the Qur'an and later Islamic materials. Applying historical-critical analysis, the volume moves these invaluable sources to more equal footing with later Islamic narratives about Muhammad and the formation of his new religious movement. Included are new English translations of sources by twenty authors, originally written in not only Greek and Latin but also Syriac, Georgian, Armenian, Hebrew, and Arabic and spanning a geographic range from England to Egypt and Iran. Ideal for the classroom and personal library, this sourcebook provides readers with the tools to meaningfully approach a new, burgeoning area of Islamic studies.Trade Review"A marvel of concision and originality; best of all, it is readily accessible to the general reader. . . . A Prophet Has Appeared is one of the most readable and exciting books in Islamic history." * Middle East Quarterly *"Indeed, Shoemaker provides one of the most cohesive alternative visions to the emergence of Islam. A Prophet Has Appeared is a pivotal piece of this vision." * Reading Religion *"This sourcebook is a valuable contribution to reliable historical data concerning theologically based approaches to the rise of Islam." * CHOICE *"This is an excellent book and essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Islam during its formative period." * Journal of Near Eastern Studies *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1 The Teaching of Jacob the Newly Baptized 2 Synodical Letter, Homily on the Nativity, and Homily on Epiphany Sophronius of Jerusalem 3 A Syriac Fragment Concerning the Believers' Invasion of Syria 4 Letter 14 Maximus the Confessor 5 Chronicle Thomas the Presbyter 6 The Armenian Chronicle of 661 attributed to Sebeos 7 The Spiritual Meadow, Appendix to the Georgian Version John Moschus 8 Homily on the End-Times Ps.-Ephrem the Syrian 9 Letter 14C Ishoʿyahb III of Adiabene 10 Edifying Tales, Homily on the Lord’s Passion, The Hodegos, and Questions and Answers Anastasius of Sinai 11 The Khuzistan Chronicle 12 The Apocalypse of Rabbi Shimʿōn b. Yohai, The Secrets of Rabbi Shimʿōn b. Yohai 13 Pirqe de-Rabbi Eliezer 30 14 The Maronite Chronicle 15 On the Holy Places Adomnán / Arculf 16 The Apocalypse of Ps.-Shenoute 17 The Book of Main Points John Bar Penkaye 18 Fourth Letter to John the Stylite Jacob of Edessa 19 The Passion of Peter of Capitolias 20 Excerpts from a Lost Seventh-Century Greek Source, The Chronicle of Theophanes, The Chronicle of Agapius, The Chronicle of Michael the Syrian, and The Chronicle of 1234 Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisWhen Madian Al Jazerah came out to his Arab parents, his mother had one question. ‘Are you this?’ she asked, cupping her hand. ‘Or are you this?’ she motioned with a poking finger. If you’re the poker, she said, you aren’t a homosexual. For Madian, this opposition reveals not who he is, but patriarchy, power, and society’s efforts to fit us into neat boxes. He is Palestinian, but wasn’t raised in Palestine. He is Kuwaiti-born, but not Kuwaiti. He’s British-educated, but not a Westerner. He’s a Muslim, but can’t embrace the Islam of today. He’s a gay man, out of the closet but still living in the shadows: he has left Jordan, his home, three times in fear of his life. Madian has searched for acceptance and belonging around the world, joining new communities in San Francisco, New York, Hawaii and Tunisia, yet always finding himself pulled back to Amman. This frank and moving memoir narrates his battles with adversity, racism and homophobia, and a rich life lived with humour, dignity and grace.Trade Review'A riveting and revealing journey of identity, politics and love in the Arab world. Brave in its honesty, and beautiful in its simplicity.' -- Rana Sweis, author of 'Voices of Jordan'; journalist for The New York Times and others'Madian Al Jazerah writes with the poetic courage of someone who has experienced both the beauty and the trauma of the world. I wish I'd had this book fifteen years ago when facing the same questions about my many identities.' -- Afshan D'souza-Lodhi, poet and playwright'A courageous, timely and humorous journey through questions often silenced in today's Arab world: sexuality, identity and belonging.' -- Ramzi Salti, Stanford University, host of the Arabology podcast and author of 'The Native Informant: Six Tales of Defiance from the Arab World''This fearless memoir, told with warmth and compassion, is an inspiration. Navigating deftly between family drama, social insight and poignant emotion, it is searingly honest and thought-provoking, driven by a desire for hopeful change. I loved it.' -- Matthew Teller, author of 'Quite Alone: Journalism from the Middle East 2008-2019''This is the story of a great man, full of emotions, pride, dignity and determination. A tale of hope in a world of colliding identities; a must-read!' -- Fadi Zaghmout, blogger and author of 'The Bride of Amman''A moving narrative of remarkable courage and sensitivity, which weaves together a tapestry of displacement and belonging, of seeking and giving refuge, and of seeing and insisting on being seen.' -- Safwan M. Masri, Columbia University'When I read this book, I felt that Madian Al Jazerah's words were my own. A story not of guilt or shame, but of a citizen of the world who still loves his home country, despite rejection and suspicion.' -- -- Asmaa al-Ghoul, award-winning Palestinian journalist, and author of 'A Rebel in Gaza'

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Brilliantly edited and introduced by Giancarlo Casale. . . . Osman’s eye-opening reflections on the dilemmas of difference and identity make this a story curiously of our time." * Times Literary Supplement *"An excellent, lively English translation by Giancarlo Casale." * The Times *"Elegantly presented and scrupulously edited by Casale. . . . The reader should undertake this trip into time and place with Osman for both his exploits and his learning." * Middle East Quarterly *"Readers will enjoy the combination of Casale’s erudition and Osman Ağa’s straightforward but exciting story." * Asian Review of Books *"With an intimacy that recalls Ibn Battuta…Prisoner of the Infidels provides a useful and entertaining window into 17th-century Europe and the Ottoman-Habsburg wars. This memoir reveals a depth, nuance, and grittiness that standard historical accounts cannot hope to convey. It centers the human experience, covering everything from mosquito bites to separations from, and reunions with, family." * Reading Religion *"Besides being a splendidly enjoyable read, The Prisoner of the Infidels is also a valuable resource for both academic research and teaching." * Critical Inquiry *Table of ContentsList of Maps Acknowledgments xi A Note on Transcription from Ottoman Turkish A Note on the Translation Introduction: On Being Osman 1. Surrender 2. Ransom 3. Crime and Punishment 4. Death and Resurrection 5. Respite 6. Bonds of Love 7. To the Capital 8. A Friend in Need 9. An Unexpected Turn of Events 10. Into the Lion's Den 11. Grifters 12. To the Border 13. The End Appendix: The Main Characters in Osman's Narrative Notes Index of People Index of Places

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Book Synopsis''Åsne Seierstad is the supreme non-fiction writer of her generation ... Two Sisters isn''t only the story of how a pair of teenage girls became radicalised but an unsparing portrait of our own society - of its failings and its joys'' Luke HardingOn 17 October 2013, teenage sisters Ayan and Leila Juma left their family home near Oslo, seemingly as usual. Later that day they sent an email to their unsuspecting parents, confessing they were on their way to Syria. They had been planning the trip for months in secret.Åsne Seierstad - working closely with the family - followed the story through its many dramatic twists and turns. This is, in part, a story about Syria. But most of all it is a story of what happens to apparently ordinary people when their lives are turned upside down by conflict and tragedy.''A masterpiece and a masterclass in investigative journalism'' Christina Lamb, Sunday Times''Meticulously documented, fulTrade ReviewHauntingly written, this book is both a masterpiece and a masterclass in investigative journalism * Christina Lamb, Sunday Times *A modern tragedy. And a universal one ... None of us truly knows what teenagers think, behind their closed doors, nor what tomorrow will bring * The Times *Meticulously documented, full of drama ... filled with smuggling, violence, ever-changing loyalties and tension ... this is a tale fluently told, and a thriller as well * Kate Adie, Literary Review *Intricate, compelling * Observer *Åsne Seierstad is the supreme non-fiction writer of her generation. Her latest work is haunting, luminously written and compelling. A brilliant book. Two Sisters isn't only the story of how a pair of teenage girls became radicalised but an unsparing portrait of our own society - of its failings and its joys * Luke Harding, author of Collusion *Two Sisters is a masterwork. Brilliantly conceived, scrupulously reported and beautifully written, this book is compulsive reading ... Seierstad fixes her lens on one of the most disturbing conundrums of our time - what leads ordinary people to become terrorists? * Jon Lee Anderson *Simply magnificent ... One of the most important books of our time * Svenska Dagbladet *

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Book Synopsis'Timely and important' THE TIMES 'Considered and nuanced ... A must-read' The Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP 'Compelling and moving' Tom Holland, author of Dominion __________________ Islam is the fastest-growing faith community in Britain. Domes and minarets are redefining the skylines of towns and cities as mosques become an increasingly prominent feature. Yet while Britain has prided itself on being a global home of cosmopolitanism and modern civilisation, its deep-rooted relationship with Islam – unique in history – is complex, threatened by rising hostility and hatred, intolerance and ignorance. There is much media debate about embracing diversity in our communities, but what does integration look like on the ground, in places like Dewsbury, Glasgow, Belfast and London? How are Muslims, young and old, reconciling progressive values – of gender equality, individualism, the rule of law and free speech – with literalist interpretations of their faith? And how is this tension, away from the public gaze, unfolding inside mosques today? Ed Husain takes his search for answers into the heart of Britain’s Muslim communities. Travelling the length and breadth of the country, Husain joins men and women in their prayers, conversations, meals, plans, pains, joys, triumphs and adversities. He tells their stories here in an open and honest account that brings the daily reality of British Muslim life sharply into focus – a struggle of identity and belonging, caught between tradition and modernity, East and West, revelation and reason.Trade ReviewTimely and important ... A compelling account -- Jawad Iqbal * The Times *Fascinating … Mr Husain makes a compelling case * Economist *Considered and nuanced, with the voices of Muslim communities across the country at its very heart. Among the Mosques is a must-read for anyone wanting to learn more about modern Britain's admirable Muslim communities -- The Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MPBracingly honest, often challenging, yet ultimately optimistic, Ed Husain goes on a road trip around Muslim Britain that is also a road trip into the country’s future. A compelling and moving read -- Tom Holland, author of DOMINIONEd Husain is a well-informed and sure-footed guide -- David Goodhart, author of HEAD HAND HEART

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Book SynopsisFOURTEEN CENTURIES AGO, the final revelation descended upon Muhammad (PBUH). This message, Islam, spread rapidly across Arabia to nearby lands, and across the world. Today, over a billion people believe in and follow his message. But who was Muhammad (PBUH) and how can we develop certainty that he was the true messenger of God?In this book, Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy shares the multitude of proof surrounding Muhammad’s  prophethood. There are abundant comprehensive rational pathways that lead to this one certain conclusion: Muhammad (PBUH) was indeed the final messenger of God to this world.Table of ContentsCONTENTSForeword viiPreface ixQuenching a Parched World ixThe Proof Within Us xiThe Multiple Forms of Proof xiv1 Humanity’s Need for Prophethood 11. The Spiritual Necessity of Prophethood 12. The Moral Necessity of Prophethood 43. The Historical Necessity of Prophethood 64. The Biblical Necessity of Prophethood 8i. A Gentile Prophet Like Moses 8ii. John the Baptist and the Awaited Prophet 10iii. God’s Servant Where Kedar Lives 10iv. Jesus and the Comforter 12v. Zamzam and the Flourishing City 132 The Prophet’s Character 171. His Honesty and Integrity 202. His Simplicity and Humility 243. His Mercy and Compassion 284. His Clemency and Forgiveness 315. His Bravery and Valour 356. His Generosity 377. His Perseverance and Trust in God 39iv The Final Prophet3 The Prophet’s Accomplishments 471. A Love Larger than Life 512. History’s Greatest Success Story 563. Restoring the Unity of God 604. Revolutionizing Human Rights 625. Molding a Model Generation 674 The Prophet’s Message 751. Pure Monotheism 772. Faith in Destiny 803. The Ritual Prayer (Ṣalāh) 834. Devotional Fasting (Ṣiyām) 875. Prohibiting Extramarital Relations 896. Prohibiting Interest-Based Lending 917. Prohibiting Alcohol Consumption 938. Healthy Eating and Personal Hygiene 979. Science and Medicine 1025 The Prophet’s Prophecies 1071. The Byzantines will Rebound 1082. The Abode of Abū Lahab 1093. The Globalization of Islam 1094. Undeterred by Time or Distance 1115. Six in Sequence 1126. Counting the Conquests 1137. Security will Prevail 1158. The Last Emperors 1169. A Whisper in His Daughter’s Ear 11610. The Longest Arm 11711. The Martyrdom of ʿUmar and ʿUthmān 11812. Inevitable Infighting 11913. Tensions Among the Prophet’s Household 12014. The Fate of ʿAmmār 12115. ʿAlī Suppressing the Khārijites 12216. Repairing the Rift 12317. Cycling Back to Virtue is Promised 124Contents v18. Asmā’ Sends a Tyrant Home 12419. Umm Ḥarām’s Date with Destiny 12520. Preempting the Questioner 12621. An Unforgettable Sermon 12722. The Emergence of Selective Textualism 12723. A Horrific Wildfire 12724. Prosperity and Hedonism Before the End Times 12825. Competing in Materialism 12926. The Unavoidability of Interest (Ribā) 13027. An Increase in Brutality and Killing 13028. The Plunge into Immorality 13229. Muslims Becoming Easy Prey 13330. The Immortality of His Nation 13531. Never Thought You Would Speak 1366 The Prophet’s Physical Miracles 1391. The Possibility of Miracles 1412. The Demonstrability of Miracles 1453. Specific Miracles Performed by the Prophet 148i. Splitting the Moon 149ii. The Night Journey 152iii. The Weeping Tree 155iv. The Talking Stones 156v. Increasing the Water Supply 158vi. Increasing the Food Supply 159vii. Answered Prayers 1637 The Inimitable Qur’an 1691. A Literary Masterpiece 170i. Muhammad or Shakespeare? 1732. Knowledge of the Inaccessible Past 178i. Pharaoh’s Body Will Survive 179ii. The Heavens Did Not Grieve for Pharaoh 180iii. Joseph’s King Wasn’t a Pharaoh 180iv. Was Muhammad Spoon-Fed Biblical History? 1833. Preserved as Promised 184vi The Final Prophet4. An Extraordinary Potency 1875. Echoes of a Prophet 192A Parting Word on the Journey of Faith 199Bibliography 203English Sources 203Arabic Sources 209Index 215

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Book SynopsisBeing the twenty-sixth book of The Revival of the Religious Sciences (Ihya' 'ulum al-din), The Book of the Censure of This World (Kitab Dhamm al-dunya) seeks to persuade its reader of the folly of worldly pleasures and possessions.To do so, al-Ghazali begins with a collection of Islamic primary-source texts that speak to the dangers of this world from a variety of angles. He then adds to this collection fourteen metaphors for this world that illustrate its perfidious nature. In a third subsection, al-Ghazali provides an original rationale for renouncing worldly enjoyments, and he furnishes his reader with a blueprint for determining what constitutes 'this world' in its most dangerous sense. In a fourth and final subsection, al-Ghazali applies a sociological theory to enumerate the essential human vocations and identify the mechanisms through which these lead people away from God.

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Book SynopsisThe tenets of Islam cannot be grasped without a proper understanding of the Qur'an. In this important new introduction, Muhammad Haleem examines its recurrent themes - life and eternity, marriage and divorce, peace and war, water and nourishment - and for the first time sets these in the context of the Qur'an's linguistic style. Professor Haleem examines the background to the development of the surahs (chapters) and the ayahs (verses) and the construction of the Qur'an itself. He shows that popular conceptions of Islamic attitudes to women, marriage and divorce, war and society, differ radically from the true teachings of the Qur'an.Trade Review'Has a breadth of reading and attention to style that readers will welcome ... Articulately presents ways in which contemporary Muslims understand their scriptures.' - Choice; 'Understanding the Qur'an is a priceless book, and I use it enthusiastically for my classes. For many of my students, Muhammad Abdel Haleem's introduction is their first contact with Qur'an interpretation, so it is really important to be able to assign them such an excellent piece of scholarship that is so easily readable and accessible.' - Natana J. DeLong-Bas, Lecturer in Theology, Boston College, and Visiting Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Brandeis UniversityTable of ContentsPreface The Qur’an Al-Fatiha: the Opening of the Qur’an Water in the Qur’an Marriage and Divorce War and Peace in the Qur’an Tolerance in Islam Life and Beyond Paradise in the Qur’an The Face, Divine and Human, in the Qur’an Adam and Eve in the Qur’an and the Bible The Story of Joseph in the Qur’an and the Bible The Qur’an Explains Itself: Surat al-Rahman Dynamic Style: Iltifat and Some Other Features Conclusion Notes Index

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Book SynopsisIn this novel perspective on a much-maligned figure, Michal Biran explains the monumental impact Chinggis Khan has had upon the Islamic World, both positive and negative. Often criticised as a mass-slaughterer, pillager, and arch-enemy of the faith, Biran shows that his constructive influence upon Islam was also considerable - his legacy apparent in Central Asia even today. Covering Chinggis Khan's early career, his conquests, the enduring power of his descendents, and the numerous ways he is presented in different Muslim contexts, this accessible book provides a fascinating insight into one of the most notorious men in history.Trade Review"Michal Biran's study is thorough and extemely thought provoking… As an introduction to its subject, it should be considered as first choice" * Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society *Table of ContentsList of Maps, Figures and Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction: Why Chinggis? 1: Asia, the Steppe and the Islamic World on the Eve of the Mongols 2: Temüjin’s Mongolia 3: World Conquest: How Did He Do It? 4: The Chinggisid Legacy in the Muslim World 5: From the Accursed to the Revered Father and Back: Changing Images of Chinggis Khan in the Muslim World 6: Appropriating Chinggis: A Comparative Approach Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe Book of Love, Longing, Intimacy and Contentment is the thirty-sixth chapter of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali''s Revival of the Religious Sciences. This was the first treatise which established not merely the possibility but the necessity for the love of God. Ghazali argues that all the virtues and spiritual stages that precede love, like repentance, patience and thankfulness, lead to love; and all the spiritual stages that follow on from love are a result of it. Out of Ghazali''s pioneering treatment would emerge not only new trends in Sufi theory and practice, but an entire body of mystical poetry including that of the great Persian poets Rumi and Hafiz. The translation is preceded by an extensive introduction which sets the work in its historical and spiritual context.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This carefully researched book provides a thorough analysis . . . [as well as] a new perspective on the study of Muhammad and makes a significant contribution to the scholarly literature. Recommended." * CHOICE *"This book should be required reading for any scholar or graduate student of early Islam or Late Antiquity." * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments The Caliphs, 632–809 Introduction: The Making of the Historical Muhammad PART I. BEFORE THE SIRAH-MAGHAZI LITERATURE 1. The Earliest Evidence Three Early Non-Muslim Testimonies to Muhammad Revisiting the Doctrina Iacobi The “Keys to Paradise” in Late Antique Religious Discourse The “Keys to Paradise” in Early Islamic Preaching The Doctrina Iacobi and the Historical Muhammad 2. Muhammad the Merchant The Earliest Depictions of Muhammad as a Merchant Muhammad’s Occupation in the Hadīth and Sīrah-Maghāzī Literature Muhammad as a Trader in Arabic Sources Muhammad and the Monk The Merchants of Mecca PART II. THE BEGINNINGS OF HTE SIRAH-MAGHAZI LITERATURE 3. The Beginnings of the Corpus The Umayyads and the Beginnings of the Sīrah-Maghāzī Tradition `Abd al-Malik ibn Marwān and `Urwah ibn al-Zubayr 4. The Letters of `Urwah ibn al-Zubayr The Chains of Transmission for `Urwah’s Letters A Translation of the Letters Attributed to `Urwah ibn al-Zubayr Letter 1. From the Persecutions in Mecca to the Hijrah to Yathrib Letter 2. Khadījah’s death and the Prophet’s marriage to `A'ishah Letter 3. The Battle of Badr Letter 4. On al-Hudaybiyah, a Gloss on Q. Mumtahinah 60:10–12 Letter 5. The Conquest of Mecca and al-Tāʾif Letter 6. On the Hums Letter 7. `A'ishah’s Accusers Letter 8. On Khuwaylah, the wife of Aws ibn al-Sāmit, a Gloss on Q. Mujādalah 58:1–4 Letter 9. On the Prophet’s Marriage to a Sister of al-Ash`ath ibn Qays 5. The Court Impulse Ibn Shihāb al-Zuhrī and the Umayyads The Corpus of Ibn Shihāb al-Zuhrī Ibn Ishāq and the Abbasids The Corpus of Ibn Ishāq PART III. LOCATING THE SIRAH-MAGHAZI LITERATURE IN LATE ANTIQUITY 6. Prophecy and Empires of Faith Prophecy and the Rhetoric of Empire The Vision of Heraclius Ibn Shihāb al-Zuhrī’s Christian Source Translatio Imperii in the Early Sīrah-Maghāzī Literature 7. Muhammad and Cædmon Cædmon’s Call and The Iqraʾ Narrative From Muhammad’s Call to Cædmon’s Call Mechanisms of Narrative Influence The Iqra' Narrative—Early, but not Historical Excursus: Alternative Accounts of Muhammad’s First Revelation Epilogue: The Future of the Historical Muhammad Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA vital resource for all those who not only have a questioning mind but also possess an intellectual curiosity to dig deeper before accepting or rejecting the faith in God outright.

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Book SynopsisWhat is so unique about Islam's scripture, the Quran? Who wrote it, and when? Can we trust its statements to be from Muhammad? Why was it written in Arabic? Does it command Muslims to fight Christians? These are a few of the thirty questions answered in this clear and concise guide to the history and contents of the Quran. Ayman Ibrahim grew up in the Muslim world and has spent many years teaching various courses on Islam. Using a question-and-answer format, Ibrahim covers critical questions about the most sacred book for Muslims. He examines Muslim and non-Muslim views concerning the Quran, shows how the Quran is used in contemporary expressions of Islam, answers many of the key questions non-Muslims have about the Quran and Islam, and reveals the importance of understanding the Quran for Christian-Muslim and Jewish-Muslim interfaith relations. This introductory guide is written for anyone with little to no knowledge of Islam who wants to learn about Muslims, their beliefs, and their scripture.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: My Earliest Encounters with the QuranPart 1: The History of the Text of the Quran1. What Is the Quran?2. What Does "Quran" Mean?3. Are There Other Scriptures in Islam?4. What Do Muslims Believe about the Quran?5. Who Is Muhammad, the Recipient and Proclaimer of the Quran?6. Did Muhammad Really Exist?7. When and Where Did Muhammad Receive the Quran?8. What Is the Most Important Feature of the Language of the Quran?9. Why and How Was the Quran Compiled?10. Did Uthman Burn False and Forged Qurans?11. What Do Shiite Muslims Believe about the Collection of the Quran?12. Do Sunnis and Shiites Have the Same Quran Today?13. What Do We Know about the 1924 Royal Cairo Edition of the Quran?14. Are There Any Other Qurans?15. Are All Arabic Versions of the Quran the Same?Part 2: Content, Features, and Themes of the Quran16. How Should I Begin Reading the Quran?17. What Are the Recurring Features at the Beginning of All Suras?18. What Is Abrogation in the Quran?19. What Are the Satanic Verses in the Quran?20. What Is the Most Important Concept for Muslims in the Quran?21. Are Jews and Christians Infidels?22. Does the Quran Really Say the Bible Is Corrupt?23. Who Is Jesus in the Quran?24. Who Are the Prophets in the Quran?25. Did Muhammad Perform Miracles?26. What Does the Quran Say about Jihad and Fighting?27. How Do Muslims Treat the Quran's Verses on Violence Today?28. Who Are "the People of the Quran"?29. What Do Today's Non-MuslimScholars Say about the Quran?30. Concluding Question: How Does This All Fit Together?GlossaryIndex

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Book SynopsisIn this comprehensive open access book, written for readers from any or no religious background, Leena El-Ali does something remarkable. Never before has anyone taken on every last claim relating to Islam and women and countered it not just with Qur’anic evidence to the contrary, but with easy-to-use tools available to all. How can a woman’s testimony be worth half of a man’s? How can men divorce their wives unilaterally by uttering three words? And what’s with the obsession with virgins in Paradise? Find the chapter on any of the seventeen topics in this book, and you will quickly learn a) where the myth came from and b) how to bust it. The methodology pursued is simple. First, the Qur’an is given priority over all other literary or “scriptural” sources. Second, the meaning of its verses in the original Arabic is highlighted, in contrast to English translations and/or widespread misunderstanding or misinterpretation. Table of ContentsPart I First the Qur’an, then Islam1. A Spiritual Journey2. Hadith Corpus3. Hadith Content4. Women and the Development of hadith LiteratureAT A GLANCE: First the Qur’an, then IslamPart II The Nature of Women5. Women Were Not Created of Inferior Celestial Material6. Eve Is Not Blamed for the Fall from Eden, Nor Are Women Guilty by Association7. Women Are Not a Constant Source of Social Discord – Nor Naturally Conniving!8. Women Were Created with the Exact Same Spiritual and Intellectual Capacity as Men, So of Course They Can Lead9. When Men Deprive Women of Their Free Will, They Are Not Protecting Anyone: They Are Obstructing God’s Plan10. God Does Not Prefer Sons Over Daughters (!)AT A GLANCE: The Nature of WomenPart III The Rights of Women11. Women Were Not Meant to Be Subordinate to Men12. Inheritance: No, Women Did Not Get the Short End of the Stick13. Nuptials: Women Do Have the Right to Choose Their Own Spouse, and How the Qur’anic Nuptial Agreement Advocates for the Bride14. Marriage: A Sublime Institution, Not Mere Social Contract15. Divorce: Men Do Not Hold all the Cards – The Qur’an Actually Levels the Playing Field Through Mandated Process and EtiquetteAT A GLANCE: The Rights of WomenPart IV Some Inconvenient Truths16. Clothing: There Is No Dress Code for Women Beyond Covering their Private Parts, as with Men17. Segregation: There Is No Restriction on Men and Women Mingling18. Witnesses: A Woman’s Testimony Is Worth the Same as a Man’s, Except in Two Cases Where It May Count for More or LessAT A GLANCE: Some Inconvenient TruthsPart V Carnal Matters19. Sexual Misconduct: What the Qur’an Tells Us About Pre-Marital vs Extra-Marital Sex20. Domestic Violence: The Qur’an Does Not Instruct Husbands to Hit Their Wives for “Disobedience” or Anything Else21. Virgins: There Are No 72 Virgins Waiting for Anyone in Paradise AT A GLANCE: Carnal Matters

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Book SynopsisPeter Adamson presents the first full history of philosophy in the Islamic world for a broad readership. He traces its development from early Islam to the 20th century, from Spain to Persia. He introduces Jewish and Christian thinkers as well as Muslim; theology, mysticism, and the history of science all feature here in this rich and lively story.Trade ReviewAdamson gives a solid introduction to this encompassing history, which clearly will help students to acquire a serious first knowledge of this rich and complex history, but also often offers the advanced reader interesting insights. * Jules Janssens, Tidschrift voor Filosofie *[Adamson's] account of philosophy in the Islamic world and the larger project of which it is a part establish a new paradigm for telling the story of philosophy. * Carlos Fraenkel, Los Angeles Review of Books *This is a well-written and interesting work . . . the author deserves credit for engaging with such a complex subject and making it accessible to the public. * Muhammad Khan, The Muslim News *From the first volume onwards, a repeated refrain has been philosophers arguing that being a philosopher is the best choice in life. These books are so engaging, instructive, and diverting, it might almost make you believe that is true. * Stuart Kelly, Scotland on Sunday *short, conversational chapters sparkling with new ideas, interpretations and a lively sense of humour. Adamson is so easy to learn, absorb, and enjoy, that all the info slips down with hardly a hiccup. * Steve Craggs, Northern Echo *bite-sized, well-indexed chapters on key philosophers, movements, and developments which took place in the Islamic world. * Daniel J. Levy, Jewish News *Table of ContentsPart I: The Formative Period 1: The Straight Path: Philosophy and Islam 2: All for One: The Mu'tazilites 3: Founded in Translation: From Greek to Syriac to Arabic 4: Philosopher of the Arabs: al-Kind=i 5: The Chosen Ones: Philosophy and Judaism 6: Reasoned Belief: Saadia Gaon 7: High Five: al-R=az=i 8: Aristotelian Society: the Baghdad School 9: The Second Master: al-F=ar=ab=i 10: State of Mind: al-F=ar=ab=i on Religion and Politics 11: Eye of the Beholder: Theories of Vision 12: Strings Attached: Music and Philosophy 13: Balancing Acts: Arabic Ethical Literature 14: Undercover Brothers: Philosophy in the Buyid Age 15: God Willing: the Ash'arites 16: The Self-Made Man: Avicenna's Life and Works 17: By the Time I Get to Phoenix: Avicenna on Existence 18: By All Means Necessary: Avicenna on God 19: Into Thin Air: Avicenna on the Soul 20: Special Delivery: al-Ghaz=al=i 21: Miracle Worker: al-Ghaz=al=i against the Philosophers Part II: Andalusia 22: Philosophy's Reign in Spain: Andalusia 23: Laying Down the Law: Ibn .Hazm and Islamic Legal Theory 24: Fantasy Island: Ibn B=ajja and Ibn Tufayl 25: Back to Basics: Averroes on Reason and Religion 26: Single Minded: Averroes on the Intellect 27: A Matter of Taste: Ibn 'Arab=i and Mysticism 28: Team Spirit: Ibn Khald=un 29: Matter over Mind: Ibn Gabirol 30: Choosing My Religion: Judah Hallevi 31: Born Under a Bad Sign: Freedom and Astrology in Jewish Philosophy 32: With All Your Heart: Ethics and Judaism 33: The Great Eagle: Maimonides 34: He Moves in Mysterious Ways: Maimonides on Eternity 35: Burnt Offerings: the Maimonides Controversy 36: Man and Superman: Gersonides and the Jewish Reception of Averroes 37: Neither the Time nor the Place: .Hasdai Crescas 38: When Bad Things Happen to Good People: Suffering in Jewish Philosophy 39: Chariot of Fire: Kabbalah 40: A Matter of Principles: Joseph Albo and Isaac Abravanel Part III: The Later Traditions 41: Golden Ages: The Later Traditions 42: All Things Considered: Ab=u l-Barak=at al-Baghd=ad=i 43: For the Sake of Argument: Fakhr al-D=in al-R=az=i 44: Let There Be Light: Suhraward=i 45: Bright Ideas: Illuminationism 46: A Man for All Seasons: Na.s=ir al-D=in al-.T=us=i 47: To Be or Not to Be: Debating Avicenna's Metaphysics 48: Eyes Wide Shut: al-R=um=i and Philosophical Sufism 49: Proof Positive: The Logical Tradition 50: By the Book: Ibn Taymiyya 51: Aftermath: Philosophy and Science in the Mongol Age 52: Family Feud: Philosophy at Sh=ir=az 53: Follow the Leader: Philosophy under the Safavids 54: To Be, Continued: Mull=a .Sadr=a on Existence 55: Return to Sender: Mull=a .Sadr=a on Motion and Knowledge 56: Subcontinental Drift: Philosophy in Islamic India 57: Turkish Delights: Philosophy under the Ottomans 58: Blind Alley: Taql=id, Sufism, and Philosophy 59: The Young Ones: Encounters with European Thought 60: The Stronger Sex: Women Scholars in the Islamic World 61: All for One and One for All: Mu.hammad 'Abduh and Mu.hammad Iqb=al 62: Iran So Far: The Heirs of Mull=a .Sadr=a

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Book Synopsis''Work for your terrestrial life in proportion to your location in it, and work for your afterlife in proportion to your eternity in it.'' This is part of the advice that the great theologian and mystic Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1058-1111 AD) put down in his Letter to a Disciple. An old disciple of al-Ghazali had studied the Islamic sciences, including the many works of his master, for most of his life. Faced with the proximity of death, he turns again to his master this time asking for a summary of all his teachings. Letter to a Disciple is al-Ghazali''s response. The emphasis in this short treatise is on religious and spiritual action and on putting into practice the knowledge that one has acquired. Letter to a Disciple can be considered as the last testament of he who is regarded as Hujjat al-Islam, the ''Proof of Islam''. This new translation is presented here as a bilingual Arabic-English edition.

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Book SynopsisIbn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Divine Wisdom and the Problem of Evil is a translation of selections from two of Ibn Qayyim''s books, Key to the Blissful Abode (Miftah dar al-sa''ada) and Remedy for Those who Question on Matters Concerning Divine Decree, Predestination, Wisdom and Causality (Shifa'' al-''alil fi masa''il al-qada'' wa''l-qadar wa''l-hikma wa''l-ta''lil). As with all his other writings, Ibn al-Qayyim''s foremost goal is to establish the wisdom of God, the primacy of the Qur''an and Sunna, and the congruity between reason and revelation. In the present selections, Ibn al-Qayyim focuses on the application of the wisdom of God to the existence of evil.Ibn al-Qayyim first discusses twenty-six wise purposes behind God creating humanity and settling them on Earth. His perspective is that whatever exists in this world is either purely or preponderantly good, or indirectly leads to a greater good. Ibn Qayyim then explores how the presence of evil allows the manifestation of many of God''s Beautiful Names, glorious attributes and compassionate actions; while, for humanity, the existence of evil provides the righteous with opportunities to strive against it, for Paradise can only be reached by ''traversing a bridge of hardships and tribulations''.The discussion of the existence of evil is followed by thirty wise purposes and secrets in God allowing people to sin. Prominent among them are that God loves repentance and loves to manifest His Attributes of forgiveness and mercy. Here, Ibn al-Qayyim also debates at length whether the punishment of Hellfire will be eternal or whether it will come to an end. He favours the latter position in accordance with the Qur''anic verse 107 of the Chapter Hud and because of God''s mercy.

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Book SynopsisUsama Ibn Munqidh (1095-1188) was a Syrian poet and warrior whose life coincided with some of the most dramatic moments in Islamic history: the invasion of the Turks into the Middle East, the collapse of the Shi'ite political power, and above all, the coming of the Crusades. Often at the frontline of such events whilst on military service representing one of his many Lords, including on occasion the legendary Saladin, Usama was nonethless best-known to his contemporaries as a poet. Covering his exquisite anthologies of Arabic poetry, his witty and well- loved memoirs, and his political adventures, this comprehensive biography examines both the literary works of the famous "Arab- Syrian Gentleman" and the tumultuous life which inspired them. With a guide to further reading, a dynastic family tree and a glossary of the principal characters encountered in the book, it offers an indispensable window into Usmama's life, times and world of thought.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1 THE YOUTH AND THE CASTLE The setting of Shayzar Childhood Hunting at Shayzar Shayzar’s bad neighbors Nizaris attack Shayzar Relations with the Franks Quiet moments Exile Service to Zangi Last days in Hama 2 THE OUTCAST AND THE KINGS Damascus (1138–1144) Usama among the Franks Trouble in Damascus Egyptian adventures (1144–1154) The lesson of Ridwan A new patron An expedition to Syria Conspiracy in Cairo The final straw Damascus and Nur al-Din (1154–1164) Calamity 3 THE POET AND THE TOMB Diyar Bakr (1164–1174) Literary output Denouement in Damascus (1174–1188) Intellectual pursuits 4 ORDER AND CHAOS God’s will and the vicissitudes of Time Usama’s Islam Pious exemplars and the miraculous Women’s honor Male honor and social status The manners and customs of animals Conclusion 5 FRANKS AND MUSLIMS Usama, ethnographer Usama and the coming of the Crusades Usama on Antioch Social relations with the Franks Medicine Frankish justice Usama and Christianity Afterword Further reading Works cited Principal people encountered in this book Simplified lists of principal dynasties and rulers in Usama’s lifetime Index

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Book SynopsisConvinced that the veil is a symbol of unjust male authority over women, in The Veil and the Male Elite , Moroccan feminist Fatima Mernissi aims to investigate the origins of the practice in the first Islamic community.

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Book SynopsisMecca and Medina are the two sanctuaries of Islam, places which every Muslim dreams of visiting at least once in a lifetime. Mecca is believed to be the very first location of human settlement and it was the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The Ka''ba, found in Mecca, was raised by the Prophet Abraham from its foundations to become the direction of prayer for believers. Medina is the city in which Islamic civilization was centralized and flourished religiously, politically, and socially. Faruk Aksoy, a BBC cameraman, took hundreds of photographs of these blessed cities from the most spectacular angles. This album includes over 160 select pictures shot by Aksoy since 1980s. He provides for us a picturesque pilgrimage experience and gives us an opportunity to share in the blessings of a lifetime journey as we browse through the pages accompanied by inspirational text by Fethullah Glen.

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Book SynopsisThis collection of Sufi poetry and songs is “an inspiring source to deepen our knowledge of Sufism by the examples and teachings of . . . beautiful and wise Sufi women” (Sufism)   The luminous presence of women who follow the Sufi Way—the mystical path of Islam—is brought to life here through their sacred songs and poetry, their dreams and visions, and stories of their efforts as they witness the Truth in many realms. These writings reflect the honor and respect for the feminine in the Sufi worldview, and they are shared in the spirit of inspiration and hope for the flourishing contributions of women to the spiritual development of humanity. Spanning the centuries, from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the present day, the selections are by or about an array of Sufi traditions in different parts of the world, from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to Europe and America—from beloved members of the Prophet’s family to the mystic Rabi’a al-Adawiyya to the modern scholar Annemarie Schimmel. Biographical anecdotes and personal memoirs provide a glimpse into the experience of great saints and contemporary practitioners alike, while providing an introduction to the principles and practices of Sufism.

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