Islam Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of the Financial Times' Best Books of the Year: Critics' Picks""One of Asian Review of Books' Books of the Year (Biography & Memoir)""In Robert Irwin, Ibn Khaldun has finally found a biographer and interpreter almost as versatile and learned as he was himself."---Eric Ormsby, Wall Street Journal"A compelling new account of the 14th-century Arab historian and polymath. . . . Irwin has produced an exemplary work."---Gavin Jacobson, Financial Times"As an introduction to Ibn Khaldun’s fascinating life and times, his ideas, and how they have been understood and misunderstood over the centuries, you could hardly wish for something better."---Thomas Small, Times Literary Supplement"Irwin wears his immense erudition lightly and gives an often very funny account of how orientalists, historians and modern Arab nationalist have interpreted Ibn Khaldun’s most famous work. . . . Irwin offers his readers a superb work of intellectual recovery, one which presents Ibn Khaldun as a creature of his time. . . . He has resurrected for us the medieval Muslim mind."---Francis Ghilès, The Spectator"Ibn Khaldun: An Intellectual Biography is both an introduction to his work and an intervention into Ibn Khaldun studies."---Sameer Rahim, Prospect"The great merit of Ibn Khaldun: An Intellectual Biography is that it encourages us to treat the intellectual history of the Islamic world not as a battleground for contemporary ideological struggles but as a subject worthy of investigation in its own right."---Fitzroy Morrissey, Standpoint"Irwin’s book lives up to its name. . . . [It is] a work that will be of interest not only to students of Islamic intellectual history, but also to students of historiography, sociology, and anthropology. Irwin’s writing is accessible to all levels of readership. Well suited for seminar discussions, as it offers much to debate."---T.M. May, Choice"Irwin’s portrait of the philosopher is beautifully written, intriguing, stimulating and movingly intimate."---Doris Behrens-Abouseif, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society"In his highly readable appraisal of Ibn Khaldun’s life and work, Robert Irwin sets out to demythologize and, at the same time, remystify a man whose mind was formed far from the seminar rooms of 20th-century social science. . . . [C]oncise and compelling."---Nile Green, Los Angeles Review of Books"I did enjoy this style of biography as Irwin brought the mind of Ibn Khaldun into focus and showed the genius that [is] worthy of standing with other ‘well-regarded’ thinkers of the past."---Gaele Hince, I am, Indeed blog"The book is entertaining and thought-provoking in itself; it is not the last word but provides a fascinating guide to further reading."---Patrick Manning, Connections"Irwin's book is very informative and well-argued in addressing the life and works of Ibn Khaldun in both historical and intellectual contexts."---Fadi Zatari, Insight Turkey"This book engages the mind in a positive way and provides an academic but highly accessible introduction to a complex topic."---Abdullah Drury, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations"A noteworthy contribution to this ever-growing literature about Ibn Khaldun’s life, ideas and scholarly influence."---Prof Dr Oktay F. Tanrisever, Rest Journal"Irwin’s book is useful, engaging, commendable, and important. Given how Ibn Khaldun used to be misread, Irwin’s is a necessary book."---Ephraim Nissan, Quaderni di Studi Indo-Mediterranei

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Book SynopsisThis major philosophic work by one of the most important Muslim and Western religious philosophers of the 20th century continues to exert an important literary, religious, and political influence today.Trade Review"Given Iqbal's indisputable significance as a modern Muslim thinker, the Stanford edition of his Reconstruction will introduce his thought to a wide audience both in academe and among the general public in the West. It bids fair to become a milestone in the history of Iqbal studies."—Mustansir Mir, Youngstown State University

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Book Synopsis Allah''s are the names most beautiful. Whatever is in the heavens and earth extols His glory.—The Qur''an (Al-Hashr 59:24) Allah has 99 names. He who remembers these will certainly enter Paradise.—Prophet Muhammad (Bukharhi Hadith Kitab Ad-Dawat, 2,949) Remembering the Names of Allah is a sacred tradition in Islam. Both the Qur''an and sayings of the Prophet (Hadiths) state the importance of learning them and promise reward for reciting them in supplications and prayers. This beautiful presentation of Allah''s most revered nintety-nine names draws the reader nearer to the Divine through contemplation and reflection of Allah''s names, their meaning, and how each impacts our daily lives. They help to conceptualize Allah, Whose limitless greatness and glory is impossible to grasp. Each name is presented in the original Arabic and its translation into English. Accompanying each name is a commentary that is concise and easy to understand but rich

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Book SynopsisThe Qur'an, believed by Muslims to be the word of God, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad 1400 years ago. It is the supreme authority in Islam and the living source of all Islamic teaching. Recognized as the greatest literary masterpiece in Arabic, it has nevertheless remained difficult to understand in its English translations.Trade ReviewHaleem knows the text by heart. His intimacy with it shows in the brevity and intuitive intelligence of his solutions. * Tim Winter, Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisThe Path of Worshippers to the Paradise of the Lord of the Universe is an authoritative book and a guideline on practical Sufism (''irfan-i ''amali). It is also a mirror to the soul of its author. In this book Ghazzali speaks not only as a scholar but also as a master and sincerely shares his spiritual experiences with his readers in a simple language and an intimate tone. These qualities of the book penetrate into the depth of the heart of the reader. The importance of the book lies in the fact that its author was the most prominent theologian and jurist of his time and its teachings are as valid today as they were when the author wrote the book just before his death in 505/1111.Trade ReviewTo translate a Sufi text well into English, or for that matter into any other language, requires not only mastery of the languages involved and familiarity with Sufi teachings, but also spiritual affinity and intimacy with the reality of Sufism if something of the spiritual perfume of the original text is to be present in the translation. Fortunately, the translator of the present book combines all these qualities within himself. Not only does Mohammad Faghfoory possess mastery of Arabic and Persian and of course English, but he was brought up in a Sufi family and is himself immersed in the life of Sufism and engaged in its practices. Moreover, he has had experience in the translation of Sufi writings and has already produced English translations of other important Sufi works. The result of the conjunction of these diverse qualities in him has enabled him to produce a fine translation which is an important addition to the corpus of Sufi literature in English. -- Seyyed Hossein Nasr, University Professor of Islamic Studies, George Washington University * From The Foreword *Table of ContentsTable of Transliteration Foreword by Seyyed Hossein Nasr Translator's Introduction Introductory Remarks I. On the Valley of Knowledge (ilm) II. On the Valley of Repentance (tawbah) III. On the Valley of Obstacles (awaiq) IV. On the Valley of Accidents (awarid) V. The Valley of Inducements (bawaith) VI. On the Valley of Factors That Impair and Ruin Worship (qawadih) VII. On the Valley of Praise (hamd) and Gratitude (shukr) Index of Quranic Verses Index of Ahadith General Index

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Book SynopsisIbn al-''Arabi is still known as the Great Sheik among the surviving Sufi orders. Born in Muslim Spain, he has become famous in the West as the greatest mystical thinker of Islamic civilization. He was a great philosopher, theologian, and poet.William Chittick takes a major step toward exposing the breadth and depth of Ibn al-''Arabi''s vision. The book offers his view of spiritual perfection and explains his theology, ontology, epistemology, hermeneutics, and soteriology. The clear language, unencumbered by methodological jargon, makes it accessible to those familiar with other spiritual traditions, while its scholarly precision will appeal to specialists.Beginning with a survey of Ibn al-''Arabi''s major teachings, the book gradually introduces the most important facets of his thought, devoting attention to definitions of his basic terminology. His teachings are illustrated with many translated passages introducing readers to fascinating byways of spiritual life that would not ordinarily be encountered in an account of a thinker''s ideas. Ibn al-''Arabi is allowed to describe in detail the visionary world from which his knowledge derives and to express his teachings in his own words.More than 600 passages from his major work, al-Futuhat al-Makkivva, are translated here, practically for the first time. These alone provide twice the text of the Fusus al-hikam. The exhaustive indexes make the work an invaluable reference tool for research in Sufism and Islamic thought in general.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"The Republic Unsettled is thick, sophisticated thinking, which should unsettle the comfortable certainties of French and American secularism and monoculturalism. . . . Anthropologists like Fernando comprehend the situation most fully, and we owe it to our fellow citizens and our own societies to get the message out as widely and loudly as possible." -- Jack David Eller * Anthropology Review Database *"The Republic Unsettled is invaluable not only for anthropologists and ethnographers but also for scholars wanting to deepen their understanding of how contemporary secularism functions as a theory of politics and society, including through its contradictions, tensions, inconsistencies, anxieties, and instabilities." -- Roshan A. Jahangeer * ReOrient *“By taking the debate away from the well-worn lines of whether or not ‘Muslims’ can be or are ‘integrated’ (in other words, whether or not Muslims are an unsettling presence or not in the republic), and by instead underlining how the republic itself is inherently ‘unsettled’, this book will no doubt rile many French secular republicans and become a key point of reference in future studies of the French Republic, laı¨cite´, and ‘non-normative’ identities.” -- Natalya Vince * French Studies *“The Republic Unsettled is a crucial and stimulating read for any scholar thinking about secularism and secularity, difference politics, contemporary France and Europe, and/or Western liberalism(s) and liberal (in)tolerance. The book (and especially its vivid, emotional, and purposeful introduction) can easily find resonance across a variety of social science, religion, and history disciplines.” -- Carol Ferrara * Journal of Church and State *“That her book ends with a legitimate comparison between William Connolly's notions of critical responsiveness and agonistic respect and the way in which her Muslim French interlocutors think shows that the history of colonization, immigration and the creation of diasporas does not have to lead to a conflict of civilizations or economically reductive globalization but can produce rich and complex hybrids or mouvements aberrants that can genuinely contribute to human progress. What The Republic Unsettled manages to convey is that those who seem marginal to the present could be central to a better future, and that is indeed a very remarkable achievement.” -- Nardina Kaur * Radical Philosophy *“The Republic Unsettled is a dense, but extremely well written book that exposes and 'unsettles,' as the title indicates, secular republicanism by laying bare its numerous inconsistences and paradoxes. … In the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo shootings, which has issued in an uncritically and self-gratulatory reinvigoration of secular republicanism in France, accompanied by a dramatic increase in anti-Muslim violence, Mayanthi Fernando’s book is more timely and urgent than ever.” -- Jeanette S. Jouili * Journal of the Society for Contemporary Thought and the Islamicate World *"Because Fernando makes a lucid argument based on extended ethnography and sophisticated reading in political theory, The Republic Unsettled will surely be read widely by all those engaged in thinking about the politics of diversity in Europe." -- John R. Bowen * American Ethnologist *"I offer the highest praise for The Republic Unsettled: it is a beautifully written book that readers will be eager to continue discussing long after they finish it." -- Jennifer Fredette * Anthropos *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Introduction 1 Field Notes I: "Vive la Republique Plurielle" 29 1. "The Republic Is Mine" 33 2. Indifference, or the Right to Citizenship 69 Field Notes II: Friday Prayers 101 3. "A Memorial to the Future" 105 4. Reconfiguring Freedom 145 Field Notes III: A Tale of Two Manifestos 181 5. Of Mimicry and Woman 185 6. Asymmetries of Tolerance 221 Epilogue 261 Notes 267 References 285 Index 305

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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 Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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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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