Islamic life and practice Books

Book SynopsisThis is the first work in the English language to deal specifically with the subjects of equity and fairness in Islamic law. Prof M H Kamali takes these concepts back to their origin in the Qur''an, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad and the era of the Companions of the Prophet in the first two centuries of Islam. This is followed by discussions of equity as a basis for the formulation of Islamic law and a comparison between it and other concepts essential for law making such as general consensus, analogical reasoning and considerations of public interest. Part Two of Equity and Fairness in Islam is an attempt to apply the concepts of equity and fairness to certain issues of contemporary concern and especially to commercial transactions. The issues raised here are related to Islamic banking, sale transactions, charitable endowments, pensions funds and other long-term saving accounts. Equity and Fairness in Islam can be read in conjunction with M H Kamali''s titles especially Islamic Commercial Law.

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Book SynopsisOffering insight into the Islamic perspective, this volume covers two subjects that have never before been discussed as separate topics in Islamic jurisprudence?citizenship and the accountability of government. Tracing the origins of the two concepts in the Qur?an, the Sunnah of the Prophet, and the practice of the first four caliphs, it follows their integration under different branches and explores the rights and obligations of Muslims in Islamic law, applying these to the modern world. Topics include: the definitions of citizenship; the rights of citizens; the duties of citizens; citizenship laws; the concepts of dar al-Islam (abode of Islam), dar al-harb (abode of war) and the dar al-''ahd (abode of treaty); the ummah and the nation-state; government as a trust; the selection of officials; the relationship between authority and citizens; corruption and the misuse of public funds; despotism and dynastic misrule; the right of complaint; the limits of obedience; impeachment of officials and heads of state; and the foundation of institutions of accountability.

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Book Synopsis“A ‘self-help’ book for Muslims, which seeks both to inspire Muslim women, but also to educate those outside the faith” – Dr Myriam FrancoisSince her conversion to Islam in 2002 Mathilde Loujayne has crossed paths with women from all walks of life on a common spiritual journey to discover Islam from a feminine perspective. Fuelled by a desire to find the right words to explain to her mother her choice to embrace Islam, this guide was born. Through Mathilde Loujayne's personal experiences - grief, high school, moving abroad, work, marriage, and motherhood - she addressses women's common concerns as they take the big, little steps towards finding a balanced lifestyle and a glowing heart in Islam.Trade ReviewBig Little Steps breaks down a woman's journey to Islam in big little pieces. — Grazia Middle EastThis is a book full of heart. New Muslims and those who are newly committed to their religion will find much useful information conveyed with common sense and compassion. — Dr. Ingrid Mattson, London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University College (Canada)Big Little Steps is a holistic and feminine take on the ins and outs of Islam, written by a young French lady. It is an easy to understand and useful guide to anyone wanting to become Muslim, especially brave women! I wish I'd had a book like this when I embraced Islam in 1995. — Kristiane Backer, author of From MTV to IslamBig Little Steps is a heart-warming journey of an intelligent woman seeking the peace of Allah. Full of practical advice and insightful thoughts, this is one book that every Muslimah should be talking about. — Quake Books“Mathilde weaves her own personal story of conversion to Islam, into this accessible manuscript in which personal anecdotes mix with more formalistic descriptions of religious practise.” — Dr Myriam Francois, taken from the prefaceTable of ContentsIntroduction — Epiphany Chapter 1 — Faith Who is God? Understanding Islam The five pillars of Islam Chapter 2 — A Way of Life Fasting benefits for the body Natural medicine Praying: a physio-spiritual practice Beauty secrets Animal welfare ‘Bon appetit! Bismillah’ Mental health Chapter 3 — Womankind The creation of (wo)mankind The role of women in a muslim society Women’s rights Modesty Chapter 4 — Prayer The sweetness of faith Ablutions? Enlighten me The Mosque Get connected: special occasions Chapter 5 — Togetherness Soul sisters Citizens of the world Let the festivities begin! Death Love Leap of faith Terminology Notes References Index

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Book Synopsis‘LaYinka, if you died today, what would your children have to say about you?’ This was the question LaYinka Sanni asked herself when she hit rock bottom many years ago. It was this question — and the uncomfortable answer that followed it — that inspired her to embark on a deeply personal journey of self discovery, learning and, ultimately, homecoming. Honest, tender and wise, A Beautiful Homecoming is a self-help book for every Muslim woman who has become buried beneath her labels — mother, wife, daughter, sister, employee — and who wants to reconnect with who she is and finally embrace all parts of herself. Drawing on her work as a transformation coach, her own personal experiences and her faith, LaYinka Sanni has penned a powerful love letter from one striving woman to another, an invitation to step into a new internal reality, and a practical guide that will change the way you view the world — and yourself — forever.

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Book SynopsisAt its core, Home Sweet Home is about relationships: the power it has over one’s sense of peace and self and how knowing one’s rights and duties can empower one to confidently set boundaries. Most importantly, it discusses issues and conflicts that may exist within the home and how to ensure they are not mismanaged and handled disproportionately. It emphasizes the need to reflect and ponder over the origins of conflict and aims to make its readers more cognizant of the Islamic principles related to every relationship and interaction. In particular, there is a focus on the positive impact faith can have on smoothing out many common problems. This is underpinned by psychological concepts, the Qur’an and Hadith literature. By taking into account the various issues faced by many and the different types of relationships, a holistic understanding can be crucially obtained. Through the insights provided by this book, there is hope that it leads to better and more confident decisions being taken in the home so that family members can thrive together and support each other.

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Book SynopsisThis spiritual guide to the self is a handbook of tazkiyah or ''self-purification''. Not only does it illustrate the maladies of the human spiritual condition, it recognises the struggles and insecurities we all succumb to from time to time, and offers up the remedies too. The antidotes to our ailments are drawn from Qur''anic verses and authenticate ahadith (Prophetic sayings), inspiring mindfulness of the Almighty Cherisher (SWT) and His Beloved Prophet (PBUH). This guidebook, drawing on the 11th and 12th Century works of the ''Proof of Islam'' and the wondrous sage, Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali can be applied to our busy lives in the modern, hi-tech era, and will prove accessible to people of all ages, all denominations: believers and non-believers alike. 

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Book SynopsisThoughtful and challenging, this book argues for a reassessment of the role historically played by Islam in Africa, and offers new hope for in creased mutual understanding between African people of different faiths. Drawing on a wealth of sources, from the colonial period to the most up-to-date scholarship, the author challenges the widely held perception th at, while Christianity oppressed and subjugated the African people, Islam fitted comfortably into the indigenous landscape. Instead, this penetrating account reveals Muslim settlers to be as guilty of enforcing slavery and conversion as those of their more maligned sister tradition. Only with an acknowledgement of the true roles of both faiths in African history, suggests Azumah, can the people of both traditions move themselves and their continent towards a new future of tolerance and self-awareness.Table of Contents1. A glance at Post-Colonial Assessment of the Western-Christian and Arab-Islamic Legacies in Tropical Africa; Definition of the Problem; A Critique of Prevailing Approaches and Perceptions; Methodology, Outline and Sources. 2. Indigenous Africa as a Cultivating Ground for Arab-Islam; Introduction; The Introduction of Islam to Tropical Africa; The Indigenous African Environment and Conversion to Islam; Conclusion. 3. Muslim Jihad and Black Africa; Introduction; Sunni Muslim Doctrine of JihadJihad - Theories and Campaigns in Africa; Interpreting the Jihad Tradition in Africa; Evaluating the Jihadists' Shari`a Rule; Conclusion. 4. Muslim Slavery and Black Africa; Introduction Slavery in Muslim Africa - Indigenous or Islamic Stimuli?; Classical Muslim Ideology of Enslavement; Muslim Slavery and the Slave Trade - The Arab-Oriental; Dimension; Muslim Slavery and the Slave Trade - The African Dimension; The Various Roles of Slaves in Muslim Lands; The Condition of Slaves in Muslim Lands - Theory versus Practice; Encountering the Encounters - Arab-Islamand Black African Experience; Introduction; Truth, Dialogue and Confessional Loyalty; The Need to Rethink Arab-Islam in Light of the African; Experience; The Arab Factor in Sunni Islamic Orthodoxy.

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Book SynopsisAs the founder of Islam Muhammad is one of the most influential figures in history. The furor surrounding the Satanic Verses and the Danish cartoon crisis reminded the world of the tremendous importance of the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Learning about his life and understanding its importance, however, has always proven difficult. Our knowledge of Muhammad comes from the biography of him written by his followers, but Western historians have questioned the reliability of this story in their quest to uncover the ''historical Muhammad''. As modern controversies have shown, whatever the truth about Muhammad''s life, his persona has taken on numerous shapes and played a crucial role in Muslim life and civilization. This Very Short Introduction provides an introduction to the major aspects of Muhammad''s life and its importance, providing both the Muslim and Western historical perspectives. It also explains the prominent roles that Muhammad''s persona has played in the Islamic world, from the medieval to the modern period.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Review'This is an excellent introduction to the life of Muhammad. Dr Brown is providing the reader with a rigorous study based on the classical Islamic tradition, yet well balanced between elements of faith and rational discussions, useful for Muslims and non Muslims alike. Very easy to read, profound and interesting to study.' * Tariq Ramadan *'This is a masterful treatment...informed by first rate scholarship yet engaging, accessible, and distinctively different from previous books on Muhammad' * John L. Esposito, Georgetown University, and author of 'The Future of Islam'. *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. The Life of the Messenger of God ; 2. Shaping Muhammad in History ; 3. Muhammad in Islamic Civilization ; Further Reading

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsTranslators’ Preface · Notes on the English Translation · Glossary Preface to the French Edition Note on Transliteration Note to the Reader (French Edition) Introduction to the French Edition Acknowledgments (French Edition) Important dates and milestones (1st/7th-4th/10th centuries) (Translated by O. Mir-Kasimov) PART ONE: Religion of the Divine Word Made Man Chapter I At the Beginnings of the History Chapter II - The Religion of the imam II-1. Some specific features of the Shi?i spirituality II-2. At the heart of the doctrine of the imam: the concept of walaya Chapter III - About some historical imams (Translated by O. Mir-Kasimov) Chapter IV - The Proof Beyond Time III-1. From the Origin of the World and its Development III-2. The End of Times (Eschatology) · The Collective Dimension · The Personal Dimension Chapter V - The Proof’s Dual Nature V-1. The Imam as a Religious Scholar V-2. The Imam as the Master of Initiation and as Thaumaturge V-3. The Imam as the Locus of God’s Manifestation Chapter VI – The Continuity of Prophecy VI-1. The Need for Discretion VI-2. Perpetual Communication between God and Mankind VI-3. ‘The Sealing of the Prophecy’ and its Meaning (Translated by M. De Cillis) PART TWO: The Mystical Nature of the Imam in The Book of the Proof Chapter I - Brief Remarks on Shi?i Holy Scriptures I-1. The Qur’an according to Shi?ism I-2. Shi?i Hadiths Chapter II - Al-Kulayni and the Book of the Proof II-1. The Historical Context in Several Important Cities II-2. A Quest for Knowledge in Iran and Iraq II.3 Al-Kulayni’s Works Chapter III - Excerpts from the Book of the Proof III-1. Some Remarks on Our Translation III-2. The Book of the Proof (Kitab al-?ujja): Translated and Commented Excerpts (Translated by O. Mir-Kasimov) Epilogue Return to History: Between Mystical Wisdom and Political Temptation 1. Legacy of the Antique Gnosis 2. Shi?is at the heart of the Abbasid Empire 3. Consolidation of the Jurist-Theologians’ Power 4. The State Religion in Iran 4.1. Rationalist Current and the Temptation of Political Power 4.2. Loyalty to the Origins (Translated by O. Mir-Kasimov) Appendices Table I: The Banu Hashim (major protagonists) and the Prophet’s Family Table II: The Banu ?Abd Shams (major protagonists) Table III: Genealogy of the major Imams and the main divisions in Shi?sm Bibliography and Abbreviations General Index Index of Qur’anic Citations

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Book SynopsisThe emancipation of women cannot be complete unless it is coupled with the emancipation of men. This can only be accomplished by drawing our social values from the Qur’an and the sunnah. In this volume, the author shows that mixed social life was the pattern in the early Muslim society established by the Prophet. This author's study of authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad will illustrate the status of the Muslim woman that is greatly different from what is assumed in most Muslim societies today.Table of ContentsChapter One: Women in Professional Work i) Aspects Relating to Women’s Professional Work in Modern Society ii) Islamic Principles Relevant to Women’s Work in Our Times Chapter Two: Women’s Participation in Social Activity i) Women’s Social Role in Contemporary Society ii) Social Work in Modern Society iii) Islamic Principles Relevant to Women’s Social Work in Our Times Chapter Three: Political Participation by Muslim Women i) In the Land of Disbelief. ii) In the Muslim State iii) Social Aspects Relevant to Women’s Political Activity in Contemporary Society iv) Principles Relating to Women’s Political Activity in Contemporary Society A Testimony of a Contemporary Experience

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Book SynopsisIbn Taymiyya remains one of the most controversial Islamic thinkers today because of his supposed influence on many fundamentalist movements. The common understanding of his ideas have been filtered through the bits and pieces of his statements, which have been misappropriated by alleged supporters and avowed critics alike. However, most people still have limited access to his beliefs and opinions as expressed in his own writings. Epistle on Worship: Risalat Al-''Ubudiyya, aims to fill this gap by presenting an annotated translation of one of Ibn Taymiyya''s most important epistles on the theology behind the concept of worship. The introduction gives the reader an overview of his biography and situates Ibn Taymiyya in the broader world of Islamic intellectual history by explaining his methodological arguments and theological opinions. The annotated translation captures the immediacy of his ideas as they impacted his world as well as the relevancy they have for our times.

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Book SynopsisImam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti composed the Work of Day and Night (''Amal al-yawm wa''l-layla) as a guide to correct conduct and worship in accordance with the example of the Prophet and the Pious Predecessors. This book contains some of the most beautiful prayers in Islamic devotional literature, and Suyuty has provided guidance about nearly every situation that one is likely to encounter day-to-day. In it the reader will find: the prayers said upon awakening, before eating and when dressing; the acts carried out at various times of the day and between prayers; and much else. A special section is dedicated to prayers that are recommended for reading at times of need due to their widely recognised protective qualities. Work of Day and Night is invaluable for learning the Sunna of the Prophet and integrating it into one''s life, as Suyuti took great care to explain precisely how to perform each of the daily practices in accordance with the example of the Prophet Muhammad.It is hoped that this bilingual volume will enable a wider English-speaking audience to access one of the treasures of traditional Islamic knowledge and practice, and that it will provide Muslim readers with a source of inspiration in everyday life. A selection of the most beautiful and useful prayers has been transliterated and included in an appendix so that all worshippers may benefit by reciting themregardless of Arabic ability. There is also a glossary of the most important religious terms.

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Book SynopsisMuslims are required to pray five times a day, but for too manyof us these are little more than physical movements devoid of anyspirit or divine connection? In contrast, the Prophet characterised prayer as the spiritual ascent(mi''raj) of the believer. In a modern world of constant distraction,how are we to achieve the communion with the Divine that prayer issupposed to be? How can we reach the state of the Prophet who wouldask his Companion Bilal to give the call to prayer with the expression:Give us repose through it, O Bilal.The present short but valuable work provides us with the answer.Dr Bassam Saeh, a scholar of the Arabic language, casts a refreshingnew perspective on prayer in the modern context. With practicalexamples, and in contemporary idiom, he charts a path for theseeker of God's pleasure to attain a deeper sense of consciousnessand devotion in prayer. The short chapters of this work are designedto be read and reread as constant reminders for us to renew ourcomTrade Review"I read this book on a train journey and every five minutes I looked up from the book to share ... bits from [it]. There were so many gems" — gildeddunya.com "From the one who struggles to do their daily Salah to the one who never misses them, we all still struggle to make each and every Salah meaningful and full of khushu. This book is great for both kinds of people." — gildeddunya.comTable of ContentsCONTENTS Supplication1. An Appointment with God2. ‘And this, indeed, is a hard act...’: But Why?3. From Duty to Privilege4. The Satisfaction of Waking up Early for Prayer5. The Joy of Patient Perseverance6. Why Do we Pray?7. The Rhythm of Prayer and the Rhythm of Life8. Variety: The First Lesson in Civilisation9. The Call to Prayer and its Ten Wonders10. The Two Ritual Ablutions11. Communal Prayer:The Key to Advancement and Civilisation12.The Friday Khutbah (Sermon): A Course in Development13. The Five Lines of Prayer14. Red Key No. 1: ‘God is Greater’15. Reading, Reciting and Chanting16. The New Language of the Qur’an17. Open Language and ‘Fertile Spaces’18. The Role of the Fatihah19. Red Key No. 2: ‘You alone do we worship, and unto You alone do we turn for aid’20. The Centrality of Bowing and Prostration21. Red Key No. 3: ‘Blessed Greeting to God’22. Red Key No. 4: ‘Peace be upon us…’23. A Session for Supplication and Private Worship24. Computing Profits and Losses25. Let Your Whole Life be a PrayerEndnotesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe Routledge Handbook of Global Islam and Consumer Culture is an outstanding inter- and transdisciplinary reference source to key topics, problems, and debates in this challenging research field. The study of Islam is enriched by investigating religion and, notably, Islamic normativity (fiqh) as a resource for product design, attitudes toward commodification, and appropriated patterns of behavior. Comprising 35 chapters (including an extended Introduction) by a team of international contributors from chairholders to advanced graduate students, the handbook is divided into seven parts: Guiding Frameworks of Understanding Historical Probes Urbanism and Consumption Body Manipulation, Vestiary Regimes, and Gender Mediated Religion and Culture Consumer Culture, Lifestyle, and Senses of the Self through Consumption Markets These sections examine vibrant debates around consumption, frugality, Islamic ju

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsContents 1. Glorifying Allah SBT: A Collection of His Names and Qualities2. Praising Allah3. Invocations of Peace and Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ4. The Precious Gems5. Invocations for ForgivenessEnd Prayers

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Book SynopsisShah Wali-Allah had a deep understanding of Qur’an, Hadith and Fiqh. This book is unique as it focussing on Shah Wali-Allah’s life as well as thought from an economic perspective.Table of ContentsIntroduction by Professor Khurshid Ahmad Preface: 1 Overview of the Muslim Situation during Shah Wali-Allah’s Time 1.1 The World and the Muslim situation in 12th century AH/18th century CE 1.2 Important Muslim regions 1.3 Mughals and the emerging Indian Sultanates 1.4 Khanates in Central Asia 1.5 Muslim states in Far East Asia 1.6 The economic front 1.7 Awakening among the Ottomans 1.8 India of Shah Wali-Allah’s time 1.9 Medina becomes the foundation for revival and renovation 2 Shah Wali-Allah Dihlawi: Life and Times 2.1 Times and environment 2.2 Life 2.3 Areas of major contributions 2.4 Political role 2.5 His death and resting place 2.6 Impact of Shah Wali-Allah 2.7 Shah Wali-Allah—a parallel to Ibn Taymiyyah 3 Intellectual and Academic Heritage 3.1 Shah Wali-Allah’s syllabus—an academic legacy 3.2 Sources of Shah Wali-Allah’s thought 3.3 Was Shah Wali-Allah influenced by Ibn Taymiyyah and his student Ibn al-Qayyim? 3.4 Introducing Shah Wali-Allah’s works 3.5 The impact of Shah Wali-Allah’s ideas—factors that led to the fast and vast spread of his works 4 Economic Ideas of Shah Wali-Allah Dihlawi 4.1 Economic ideas in Shah Wali-Allah’s works 4.2 Study of applied economy 4.3 Theoretical economic ideas 4.4 Economic activities in an Islamic framework 4.5 Measures to avoid disputes in economic transactions 4.6 Some major contributions 5 Tadbīr al-Manzil (Household Management) 5.1 Origins of tadbīr al-manzil 5.2 Tadbīr al-manzil in the Islamic tradition 5.3 Shah Wali-Allah on tadbīr al-manzil 5.4 The subject matter of tadbīr al-manzil 5.5 Other areas of tadbīr al-manzil 5.6 The present discipline of economics and the Greek oikonomia 5.7 Market versus ‘family’ 6 Shah Wali-Allah on Money and Interest 6.1 Money as seen by the Greek philosophers 6.2 Money in the early period of Islam 6.3 Difficulties of the barter system 6.4 Functions of money 6.5 Is it must to use gold and silver as money? 6.6 Interest—an ill-use of money 6.7 Ribā (interest proper) 6.8 Is the charging of interest prohibited from the poor only? 7 Public Finance 7.1 The subject of public finance—first to attract attention 7.2 Public revenue 7.3 Economics of zakah 7.4 Public expenditure 7.5 Public borrowing 7.6 Concern for the poor 8 Shah Wali-Allah on the Stages of Socio-Economic Development 8.1 Early Muslim scholars’ holistic approach to development 8.2 Development role of the state 8.3 Ibn Khaldun’s cyclical model of development 8.4 Shah Wali-Allah’s theory of socio-economic development 8.5 Irtifāqāt: a natural process in human development 9 Conclusion: Comparison and Evaluation Bibliography Arabic References Other Languages Indexes Names Subjects

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Book SynopsisThis book explores the diversity and dynamism of Islam in Southeast Asia through the concept of adab, or beautiful behavior. Amid the complexity of Islamic civilization, adab provides Muslims with a shared sense of sacred history, identity, and morality. In the context of Islamic ethics, adab defines the rules of personal and public etiquette: good manners, proper conduct, civility and humaneness. Featuring the interdisciplinary research of nine prominent scholars of Islam, the book offers new perspectives on adab''s multiple meanings and myriad applications for Muslim communities in Malaysia and Indonesia. The chapters examine a wide range of texts, spotlighting the writings of prominent Muslim thinkers, and contexts, focusing on the everyday experiences of lay Muslims. Drawing on a variety of theoretical and methodological lenses, the essays reveal how beautiful behavior impacts local institutions, cultural practices, and religious imaginationsTrade ReviewThe importance of this book is twofold: it is both a scholarly and a moral endeavor. The contributors assert an important interpretation of the Islamic world of Southeast Asia, yet also suggest the possibility for a shift in the Western perspective of Islam more generally. This book creatively lays the groundwork for what must become a fresh beginning in Islamic studies * Mark Mancall, Emeritus Professor of Modern World History, Stanford University, USA *This is a timely and important collection on a theme that is under-discussed in Southeast Asian studies on Islam. * Eric Tagliacozzo, Professor of History, Cornell University, USA *Table of ContentsContributors List of figures Introduction, Beautiful Behavior in Practice: Expressions of Adab in Southeast Asian Islam, Robert Rozehnal (Lehigh University, USA) Part One: Texts and Contexts 1. The Interplay Between Adab and Local Ethics and Etiquette in Indonesian and Malaysian Literature, Muhammad Ali (University of California, Riverside, USA) 2. "Young People are Seeking their Blessings": Islamic Life Courses, Explorative Authority, and the Possibilities of Worldly Adab in Rural Aceh, Daniel Andrew Birchok (University of Michigan-Flint, USA) Part Two: Politics and Law 3. Adab and the Culture of Political Culture, Thomas Pepinsky (Cornell University, USA) 4. Sharia, Adab and the Malaysian State, Timothy P. Daniels (Hofstra University, USA) Part Three: Piety and Authority 5. Women's Adab in the Pesantren: Gendering Virtues and Contesting Normative Behaviors, Nelly van Doorn-Harder (Wake Forest University, USA) 6. Politicians, Pop Preachers, and Public Scandal: A Personal Politics of Adab, James B. Hoesterey (Emory University, USA) Part Four: Performance and Experience 7. Adab and Embodiment in the Process of Performance: Islamic Musical Arts in Indonesia, Anne K. Rasmussen (College of William and Mary, USA) 8. Smoke, Fire and Rain in Muslim Southeast Asia: Environmental Ethics in the Time of Burning, Anna M. Gade (University of Wisconsin, USA) Index

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Book SynopsisThe Prophet ﷺ said that there is no deed better in the sight of Allah SWT, or more greatly rewarded than a good deed that is done in the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. This sacred month brings great opportunities and rewards yet sometimes we fail to realise and appreciate the importance of these special days. This short, yet informative book will take you on a journey to understand the hidden gems that one can avail from during the blessed month of Dhul-Hijjah  

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Book SynopsisThe Muslim mum is the most fertile political symbol of our times - heralded as both the solution and cause to many of the issues that erroneously come to define Muslim communities in our now globalised world. Muslim mums who are continuously spoken down to, at, or for, and very rarely conversed with in a language that sees and understands us beneath the suffocating extraneous layers of media sensationalism and political discourse. In the first of its kind, A Cool Girl’s Guide to Being a Muslim Mum looks at the blessed and fraught experience of mothering when Muslim in contemporary political times. Amidst the textures of an accelerating digital age, ubiquitous Islamophobia and an increasingly commercialised cultural climate that impacts us in ways obvious and untold. 

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

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Book SynopsisHomosexuality is anathema to Islam – or so the majority of both believers and non-believers suppose. Throughout the Muslim world, it is met with hostility, where state punishments range from hefty fines to the death penalty. Likewise, numerous scholars and commentators maintain that the Qur’an and Hadith rule unambiguously against same-sex relations. This pioneering study argues that there is far more nuance to the matter than most believe. In its narrative of Lot, the Qur’an could be interpreted as condemning lust rather homosexuality. While some Hadith are fiercely critical of homosexuality, some are far more equivocal. This is the first book length treatment to offer a detailed analysis of how Islamic scripture, jurisprudence, and Hadith, can not only accommodate a sexually sensitive Islam, but actively endorse it.

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Book SynopsisA Collection of Sufi Rules of Conduct (Jawami'' Adab al-Sufiyya) was written by one of the foremost early masters of Sufism and is considered as the first work devoted to the description of the way of life and the customs of the Sufis. It represents an early attempt to illustrate the conformity of Sufi beliefs and manners with the Qur''an and the example of the Prophet (Sunnah). A Collection of Sufi Rules of Conduct is therefore not only a pioneering work of ethics and mysticism, it is also a summary of the views of Sufis up till the eleventh century. It was a major influence on the development of Sufism from the eleventh century onwards.The translation by Dr Elena Biagi includes an introduction that places the author in his historical, literary and religious context, and a general glossary of Sufi technical terms.

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Book SynopsisCitizenship and Accountability of Government: An Islamic Perspective is the final volume in Prof. M. H. Kamali''s series on fundamental rights and liberties in Islam. It includes discussions of: the definitions of citizenship; the rights of citizens; the duties of citizens; citizenship laws; the concepts of dar al-Islam (abode of Islam), dar al-harb (abode of war) and the dar al-''ahd (abode of treaty); the ummah and the nation-state; government as a trust; the selection of officials; the relationship between authority and citizens; corruption and the misuse of public funds; despotism and dynastic misrule; the right of complaint; the limits of obedience; impeachment of officials and heads of state; the foundation of institutions of accountability.In addition to the topics of citizenship and accountability of government, this volume contains a discussion of freedom of movement in Islam, which is the last of the fundamental rights in Prof. M. H. Kamali''s series.

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Book SynopsisBandit Saints of Java is a work of nonfiction that delves deep under the surface of modern Indonesia, exploring personalities and stories in the wacky world of local pilgrimage. It paints an astonishing portrait of Islam as it is practised today - largely invisible to journalists, scholars and tourists - by many of the 130 million people of Java.

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Book SynopsisAn essential guide to understanding the divide that has come to define Islam and the Muslim world and how this divide has the capacity to result in violence across the Arab and Muslim worldTrade Review`A Concise History of Sunnis and Shi'is is an important corrective ... provides the reader not just with all the historical background he or she could want, in an accessible and comprehensible fashion, but also employs this sound knowledge to a clear-headed appraisal of the modern Middle East.' Times Literary Supplement; 'In lucid and accessible prose, John McHugo shows that there is nothing inevitable about the so-called Sunni-Shi'i divide.' Madawi Al-Rasheed, author of A History of Saudi Arabia; `This book will be widely read.' InterLib; `John McHugo takes us through the Sunni-Shi`i divide over 1400 years of Islamic history with good judgement in balancing the various accounts, and a great clarity of expression.' Moojan Momen, author of Shi`i Islam: A Beginner's Guide; `It is no mean feat to cover over 1400 years of history ... Masterful and fascinating' The Jordan Times; `Excellent ... McHugo is a lucid interpreter of complex events.' Law Society Gazette; `A timely book ...It is to be hoped that a reading of John McHugo's densely informative narrative will encourage Western leaders to hesitate, before taking sides in a struggle that is not their own.' Irish CatholicTable of ContentsCHAPTER ONE: In the Beginning - before there were Sunnis and Shi'is p.3; CHAPTER TWO: How Internal Strife came to Islam p.18; CHAPTER THREE: Of Umayyads and Abbasids - The Political Background to the Split between Sunnis and Shi'is p. 33; CHAPTER FOUR: The Split between Sunnis and Shi'is p. 48; CHAPTER FIVE: Of Ismailis, Asassins, Druze, Gnostic Shi'is, Alawis and Sufis p. 68; CHAPTER SIX: How Iran became Shi'i p. 80; CHAPTER SEVEN: The Ottoman Empire, India and the Muslim Reformation p.98; CHAPTER EIGHT: The long Nineteenth Century and the Coming of Western Dominance p.110; CHAPTER NINE: Between the two World Wars p.132; CHAPTER TEN: Tides ebb and flow p.158; CHAPTER ELEVEN: 1979 p. 183; CHAPTER TWELVE: From the Iranian Revolution to the Invasion of Iraq (2003) p. 198; CHAPTER THIRTEEN: The Disaster with many Fathers p. 224

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Book SynopsisIn Queer Companions Omar Kasmani theorizes saintly intimacy and the construction of queer social relations at Pakistan’s most important site of Sufi pilgrimage. Conjoining queer theory and the anthropology of Islam, Kasmani outlines the felt and enfleshed ways in which saintly affections bind individuals, society, and the state in Pakistan through a public architecture of intimacy. Islamic saints become lovers and queer companions just as a religious universe is made valuable to critical and queer forms of thinking. Focusing on the lives of ascetics known as fakirs in Pakistan, Kasmani shows how the affective bonds with the place’s patron saint, a thirteenth-century antinomian mystic, foster unstraight modes of living in the present. In a national context where religious shrines are entangled in the state’s infrastructures of governance, coming close to saints further entails a drawing near to more-than-official histories and public forms of affect. Through varTrade Review“A lyrical and moving meditation on Islamic saints, Sufi intimacies, and affective histories of contemporary Pakistan. Through encounters with fakir life stories, Omar Kasmani offers us an exquisitely written ethnography on the queerness of religion, region, and belonging. Queer Companions pulls us in, moving us toward more radical modes of the social life of the intimate.” -- Anjali Arondekar, author of * For the Record: On Sexuality and the Colonial Archive in India *“Queer Companions presents the reader with perceptive observations that illustrate how desire not only works, but worlds. How striving for saintly companionship puts certain futures within your reach, while this orientation alienates you from other normative ways of life.” -- Max Schnepf * Hypotheses *“By engaging with the ways in which fakirs in Sehwan encounter and experience affective bonds with the more-than-human and more-than-living, Kasmani ingeniously illustrates a form of queer world-making in unexpected places. For those who ruminate on questions pertaining to queerness, Islam, affective encounters with more-than-human entities, and/or religion-state relations, Queer Companions is an essential book and it will truly bloom as a companion in the time to come.” -- Febi R. Ramadhan * Reading Religion *Table of ContentsNote on Orthography ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction. On Coming Close 1 1. Infrastructures of the Imaginal 36 2. Her Stories in His Durbar 60 3. In Other Guises, Other Futures 84 4. Love in a Time of Celibacy 107 5. Worlding Fakirs, Fairies and the Dead 130 Coda. Queer Forward Slash Religion 152 Notes 165 Glossary 181 References 185 Index 201

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Book SynopsisIslam is the only major world religion that resists the juggernaut of alcohol consumption. In many Islamic countries, alcohol is banned; in others, it plays little role in social life. Yet, Muslims throughout history did drink, often to excess—whether sultans and shahs in their palaces, or commoners in taverns run by Jews or Christians. This evocative study delves into drinking’s many historic, literary and social manifestations in Islam, going beyond references to ‘hypocrisy’ or the temptations of ‘forbidden fruit’. Rudi Matthee argues that alcohol, through its ‘absence’ as much as its presence, takes us to the heart of Islam. Exploring the long history of this faith—from the eight-century Umayyad dynasty to Erdoğan’s Turkey, and from Islamic Spain to modern Pakistan—he unearths a tradition of diversity and multiplicity in which Muslims drank, and found myriad excuses to do so. They celebrated wine and used it as a poetic metaphor, even viewing alcohol as a gift from God—the key to unlocking eternal truth. Drawing on a plethora of sources in multiple languages, Matthee presents Islam not as an austere and uncompromising faith, but as a set of beliefs and practices that embrace ambivalence, allowing for ambiguity and even contradiction.Trade Review'[A] sensitive and nuanced exploration of the inner lives of people with whom, though remote in time and place from us, we would have enjoyed sharing a drink.' -- Asian Review of Books‘This evocative study delves into drinking’s many historic, literary and social manifestations in Islam.’ -- H-Net'That Islamic culture makes no room for alcohol is a myth that has long clouded views of and within Islam. Rudi Matthee debunks this myth with the deftness and authority we have come to expect from one of our most accomplished scholars of Islamic cultures. Intoxicatingly good.' -- Christopher de Bellaigue, author of 'The Islamic Enlightenment' and 'The Lion House''Matthee's fascinating study of wine and wine-drinking in the Muslim world explores not only production and consumption but a rich culture of poetic ecstasy and revelry. Erudite and yet accessible, this outstanding book will find its deserved place within a growing body of sociocultural histories.' -- Abbas Amanat, William Graham Sumner Professor of History Emeritus, Yale University, and author of 'Iran: A Modern History''An excellent and important book covering the entire history of Islam and a very large part of the Islamic world. Drawing on a wide variety of sources, it is engaging and well written throughout.' -- Devin Stewart, Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Emory College of Arts and Sciences'The first comprehensive engagement with the history of alcohol in the Islamic world, from the early days of the revelation to the nuances of contemporary alcohol policy and practice in major Muslim-majority countries. A novel, timely and compelling contribution.' -- Maziyar Ghiabi, Senior Lecturer in Medical Humanities and Politics, University of Exeter

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Book SynopsisDocuments the rarely-heard voices of Muslims who live in secular democratic countries and who are gay, lesbian, and transgender.Trade Review"As is the case with followers of other religious traditions, Muslims today are engaged in a passionate debate over gender and sexuality. Kugle provides an indispensable chapter in this saga by redirecting our attention to the voices and lived experiences of Muslim people who are living out this debate in the context of their everyday lives." -- Omid Safi,University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill"An excellent contribution to the emerging literature on LBGTQ Muslims. Living Out Islam provides fascinating biographies of Muslims facing both homophobia and Islamophobia in the context of modern secular democratic nation-states and creates a platform for LBGTQ Muslims to speak for themselves about their lives and struggles. I was riveted in following the details of their efforts to overcome the conflict of competing identities." -- Amina Wadud,Starr King School for the Ministry"Kugle's careful attention to the lived experiences and multiple contexts of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims makes this a highly valuable and much needed contribution to the religious studies and gender and sexuality studies areas." * Sex Roles *"Persistently and helpfully rooted in Islamic texts, traditions and juridical practices, Kugles work . . . is clearly anchored to specifically Islamic communities and practices. The careful, knowledgeable, and conscious location of arguments buffers against a possible critique of being too & Western, or too & modernist, and subsequently that it cannot easily & fit into the study of Islam and Muslim societies. The experiences of Kugles research participants indicate clearly that even within conservative religious social spheres, some Muslims reconcile their identities as both queer and Muslim. This work is well-worth the read and should be suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate study as well as for those generally interested in gender activism, and complications that gender and sexuality bring to religious debate." * Sociology of Islam *"[] I applaud Kugles commitment to articulating the voices of this under-studied and much misunderstood minority. The 15 stories this book tells constitute a unifying narrative about the human capacity for positive meaning-making, as well as personal and socio-political change." * Sociology of Religion *"An interesting, well-researched book; easy reading." * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Engaging Religious Tradition 2. Challenging Family and Community 3. Adapting Religious Politics 4. Adjusting Secular Politics 5. Forging Minority Alliances 6. Journeying toward Individual Identity ConclusionAppendix Glossary of Terms Notes Bibliography Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisThe foremost U.S. authority on Islam and, Seyyed Hossein Nasr discusses today’s hot button issues—including holy wars, women’s rights, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, and the future of Moslems in the Middle East—in this groundbreaking discussion of the fastest-growing religion in the world. One of the great scholars in the modern Islamic intellectual tradition, and the acclaimed author of books such as The Garden of Truth and The Heart of Islam, Nasr brings incomparable insight to this exploration of Muslim issues and realities, delivering a landmark publication promoting cross-cultural awareness and world peace.

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Book SynopsisA first-ever collection of contemporary Muslim women’s khutbahs (sermons) drawing on their social, religious, and spiritual experiences and framed by original reflections on an emerging Muslim feminist ethicsTrade Review“These bold, tender, and fierce women are not asking for permission to preach: they are marching ahead with a luminous presence. The diversity of these preachers is astonishing, as is their integrity, brilliance, and shared commitment to the life of the spirit, love, and justice. This book will uplift, transform, and inspire readers.”—Omid Safi, Duke University“An excellent addition to the field of Islamic studies, this book illustrates beautifully and persuasively the diverse types of new female religious actors and the ways in which they are transforming religious authority.”—Mulki Al-Sharmani, University of Helsinki“By turns inspiring and poignant, insightful and incendiary, the sermons collected here are a treasure-trove of wisdom from an impressive and impressively diverse array of scholars and community leaders. The Women’s Khutbah Book is an essential resource.”—Kecia Ali, editor of Half of Faith: American Muslim Marriage and Divorce in the Twenty-First Century“Shaikh and Seedat interweave inspiring sermons by present-day Muslim women with the eloquent voices of historical women, bringing intersecting experiences of injustice to the center of Muslim ethics. The result—an original and transformative feminist theology—is a pleasure to read.”—Ziba Mir-Hosseini, author of Journeys Toward Gender Equality in Islam“This delightful, inspiring book enables ‘ordinary’ women (and men) to transcend the limits of the private and reshape Muslim publics. The khutbahs collected here have created a world not seen before, embodying, in the beautiful words of their editors, ‘a tafsir of possibility.’" – Gabeba Baderoon, Pennsylvania State University

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Book SynopsisWhat does it mean to be young, modern, and Muslim? Documenting everyday life in Lamu (Kenya), this book explores the mundane practices of behavior and speech that create moral personhood. In elaborating everyday practices of Islamic pluralism, the book shows how Muslim societies critically engage with change while sustaining a sense of integrity and morality.Table of ContentsPreface | ix Introduction | 1 Interlude 1: Mila Yetu Hufujika (Our Traditions Are Being Destroyed), by Mahmoud Ahmed Abdulkadir | 41 1. “This Is Lamu”: Belonging, Morality, and Materiality | 46 2. Dialects of Morality | 76 Interlude 2: kiSwahili, by Mahmoud Ahmed Abdulkadir | 114 3. “Youth” as a Discursive Construct | 121 4. Reframing Morality through Youthful Voices | 153 Interlude 3: Tupijeni Makamama (Let’s Embrace), by Mahmoud Ahmed Abdulkadir | 187 5. Senses of Morality and Morality of the Senses | 191 Epilogue | 233 Appendix: Note on Language | 247 Acknowledgments | 257 Notes | 261 Bibliography | 271 Index | 293

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Book SynopsisA short, stimulating introduction for Christians to Islam and to the main themes of Muslim culture.Trade Review"Absolutely brilliant", R. T. Kendall, from his foreword "This is a remarkably interesting, kind, fair, and biblically-wise guide for Christians seeking to understand and relate to our Muslim friends", Wayne Grudem "Quite outstanding", Andrew White (Vicar of Baghdad)Table of ContentsContentsForeword by Dr R. T. Kendall 9Introduction 11Part 1 Map-reading: What is Islam, and who are Muslims?1. Stories and histories 172. Identity 233. Beliefs 254. Cultures and practices 325. Politics and justice 356. Demographics 387. Before folding the maps away… 42Part 2 Developing open-hearted friendships: Tips for connecting with Muslims8. Why focus on open-hearted friendships? 469. Addressing the fear factor 4910. Cultivate a posture of welcome and acceptance 5211. Show by your actions that you welcome and accept Muslims 5512. Level with your Muslim friends 5913. Keep welcoming Muslims as they come to follow Jesus 63Part 3 Seeing Jesus afresh: Outlines to help Muslims14. Starting from echoes of truth in Islam:Outline A – Arabia is important 6915. Starting from echoes of truth in Islam:Outline B – Jesus is good news 7116. Starting from echoes of truth in Islam:Outline C – Is Jesus just a prophet? 7417. Tips for Bible study with a Muslim 7918. Starting from the Bible:Outline D – Adam and Eve 8119. Starting from the Bible:Outline E – Abraham 8320. Starting from the Bible:Outline F – Moses 8521. Starting from the Bible:Outline G – the Samaritans 8722. Starting from the Bible:Outline H – the parable of the tenants 8923. Starting from the Bible:Outline I – Resurrection appearances 9124. Starting from festivals:Outline J – Why Christmas? 94Part 4 Hot potatoes: Some questions arising for Christians on aspects of Islam25. Should Christians call God “Allah”? 10026. When should baptism happen? 10427. Is it OK for Christians to eat halal meat? 107Conclusion 111Glossary of terms 112Appendices1. Study guides 1162. Useful resources 1353. Further guidance for preachers: Use stories and be mindful of non-Western perspectives 1424. Further guidance for church leaders: Decide the level of riority that Muslim outreach has and will have in your church 144Notes 146Index 157

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Book SynopsisAn insightful study of the role of gender in establishing the limits of interpretation and flexibility in the Islamic traditionThe Islamic tradition has always been flexible, changing over time and constantly adapting to the different societies Muslims find themselves in. Few Muslims today would abide by the fatwa against the printing press under the Ottomans. Moreover, although Islamic law legislates for slavery and child marriage, only a vanishing minority of Muslims consider these practices acceptable today - and some will even argue that Islam never permitted them. Yet some issues, like the prohibition on female-led prayer and female interfaith marriage seem curiously impervious to change. Why is that? Through a mixture of interviews with ordinary Muslims in Texas and critical analysis of contemporary and historical scholarship, Shehnaz Haqqani demonstrates the gendered dimensions of change and negotiation in Islamic tradition. She argues that a reliance on a mostly-male scholarly consensus means that the ‘tradition’ preserves male privilege at the expense of justice for Muslim women.

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Book SynopsisThe Routledge Handbook of Halal Hospitality and Islamic Tourism provides a greater understanding of the current debates associated with Islamic tourism and halal hospitality in the context of businesses, communities, destinations, and the wider socio-political context. It therefore sheds substantial light on one of the most significant travel and consumer markets in the world today and the important role of religion in contemporary hospitality and tourism.The book examines halal hospitality and lodging, Islamic markets, product developments, heritage, certification, and emerging and future trends and issues. It integrates case studies from a range of countries and destinations and in doing so emphasises the significant differences that exist with respect to regulating and commodifying halal, as well as stressing that the Islamic market is not monolithic. Written by highly regarded international academics, it offers a range of perspectives and enables a comprehensive Table of Contents1. Introduction to Halal Hospitality and Islamic Tourism. Halal Hospitality and Lodging. 2. Understanding Halal Hospitality. 3. Attributes of Muslim-friendly hospitality service in a process-based model. 4. Malaysian Accommodation Providers' Understanding of Halal Hospitality. 5. Explaining the competitive advantage of Islamic Hotel concepts: Insights from Malaysia. 6. Shariah-compliant hotel operations practices (SCHOP). 7. Islamic Tourism: The Practices of a Shariah-Compliant Hotel in De Palma Hotel, Malaysia. Halal Markets and Developments 8. Halal Service Provision—Understated, but Not Undervalued: A View From Oman. 9. Exploring Muslim millennials’ perception and value placed on the concept of ‘halal’ in their tourism preferences and behaviours. 10. Islamic Ziyara and Halal hospitality in Palestine: Al-¿uds 'Jerusalem', al-K_h_alil 'Hebron' and Bayt La¿m 'Bethlehem' between 2011 and 2016. 11. Marketing Europe to Islamic Heritage Tourists. 12. The Muslim-friendly option: Tunisia’s (Mass) tourism in times of crisis. 13. Brunei halal tourism outlook. 14. Meeting the Needs of Muslim Tourists: The Case of Singapore. 15. Strategies for Attracting Muslim Tourists Without Obtaining Halal Certification: A Case Study of Takayama City in Japan. Heritage Tourism 16. Urban renewal, cultural tourism, and community development: Sharia principles in a non-Islamic state. 17. Is this sacred or what? The Holy Place and Tourism Destination at Jabal Haroun, Petra Region, Jordan. 18. Muharram in Iran: A Religio-Cultural Festival. Emerging Issues and Relationships in Certification 19. Halal Food Certification in China. 20. Food Certification: The Relationships Between Organic and Halal Certification in Malaysian Food Retailing. 21. Halal logistics: empowering competitive advantage and sustainability. Issues and Challenges 22. The Challenge of the Halal/Pork Binary for Muslim Immigrants in Spain. 23. Meanings in everyday food encounters for Muslims in Australia. 24. Halal Certification Uproar: The Muslim Scapegoat as National Safety Valve. 25. Commodified Religion: The Keys to Halal Food? Emerging and Future Issues 26. Emerging and Future Issues in Halal Hospitality and Islamic Tourism

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Book SynopsisUnparalleled in its range of topics and geographical scope, this volume provides a comprehensive overview of Muslim culture and society since 1800. With topics ranging from religious thought, Islamic law and modern politics to the arts, cinema and new media, the volume highlights the diversity and richness of Islamic civilization.Table of Contents1. Introduction: Muslims and modernity: culture and society in an age of contest and plurality Robert W. Hefner; Part I. Social Transformations: 2. New networks and new knowledge: migrations, communications and the refiguration of the Muslim community in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries R. Michael Feener; 3. Population, urbanisation and the dialectics of globalisation Clement M. Henry; 4. The origins and early development of Islamic reform Ahmad S. Dallal; 5. Reform and modernism in the middle twentieth century John O. Voll; 6. Islamic resurgence and its aftermath Saïd Amir Arjomand; 7. The new transnationalism: globalising Islamic movements Peter Mandaville; 8. Muslims in the West: Europe John Bowen; 9. Muslims in the West: North America Karen Isaksen Leonard; 10. New frontiers and conversion Robert Launay; Part II. Religion and Law: 11. Contemporary trends in Muslim legal thought and ideology Sami Zubaida; 12. A case comparison: Islamic law and the Saudi and Iranian legal systems Frank E. Vogel; 13. Beyond Dhimmihood: citizenship and human rights Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im; 14. The : scholarly tradition and new public commentary Muhammad Qasim Zaman; 15. Sufism and neo-Sufism Bruce B. Lawrence; Part III. Political and Economic Thought: 16. Islamic political thought L. Carl Brown; 17. Women, family and the law: the Muslim personal status law debate in Arab states Lynn Welchman; 18. Culture and politics in Iran since the 1979 revolution Nikki R. Keddie; 19. Modern Islam and the economy Timur Kuran; Part IV. Cultures, Arts and Learning: 20. Islamic knowledge and education in the modern age Robert W. Hefner; 21. History, heritage and modernity: cities in the Muslim world between destruction and reconstruction Jens Hanssen; 22. Islamic philosophy and science S. Nomanul Haq; 23. The press and publishing Ami Ayalon; 24. The modern art of the Middle East Venetia Porter; 25. Cinema and television in the Arab world Walter Armbrust; 26. Electronic media and new Muslim publics Jon W. Anderson; Glossary; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most contentious topics in modern Islam is whether one should adhere to an Islamic legal school or follow scripture directly. For centuries, Sunni Muslims have practiced Islam through the framework of the four legal schools. The 20thcentury, however,witnessed the rise of individuals who denounced the legal schools, highlighting cases where they contradict texts from the Qur''an or Sunna. These differences are exemplified in the heated debates between the Salafi ?adith scholar Mu?ammad Na?ir al-Din al-Albani and his Traditionalist critics. This book examines the tensions between Salafis and Traditionalists concerning scholarly authority in Islam. Emad Hamdeh offers an insider''s view of the debates between Salafis and Traditionalists and their differences regarding the correct method of interpreting Islam.He provides a detailed analysis of the rise of Salafism, the impact of the printing press, the role of scholars in textual interpretation, and the divergent approaches to IsTrade Review'This important and timely book not only helps us understand what al-Sisi is referring to but also explains to the reader the roots and history of a clash that has just begun to materialize.' Hussam S. Timani, Reading ReligionTable of ContentsPart I. History: 1. Traditionalism and Salafism; 2. A controversial Salafi; 3. Gatekeepers of knowledge: self-learning and Islamic expertise; Part II. Islamic Law: 4. Can two opposing opinions be valid? Legal pluralism in Islam; 5. Qur'an and Sunna or the Madhhabs?; Part III. Hadith: 6. The pursuit of authencity: reevaluating weak Hadith; 7. Challenging early Hadith scholarship.

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Book SynopsisINTRODUCED BY WILLIAM ATKINS, author of The Immeasurable World ''I am merely an eccentric, a dreamer who wishes to live far from the civilized world, as a free nomad.''Isabelle Eberhardt''s writing chronicles, in passionate prose, her travels in French colonial North Africa at the turn of the 20th century. Often dressed in male clothing and assuming a man''s name, she worked as a war correspondent, married a Muslim non-commissioned officer, converted to Islam and survived an assassination attempt, all before dying in a flash flood at the age of 27.Desert Soul brings together her ''Wanderings'' and ''The Daily Journals'', detailing the ecstatic highs and the depressive lows of her short but unique and extraordinary life.

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Book SynopsisA trillion dollar financial industry is revolutionising the global economy. Governments and corporations across the Islamic world are increasingly turning to finance that complies with Sharia law in order to fund economic growth. Even in the West, Islamic finance is rapidly becoming an important alternative source of funding at a time when the conventional finance industry is reeling from the effects of the financial crisis.From its origins in the seventh century, Islamic finance has sought to develop core ethical principles that are based in the foundations of Islam and Shari'a. By engaging critically with the complexities of international finance, it has evolved and adapted into a world emerging from the economic and moral aftermath of a global financial crisis. But with an increasing Western interest, is it able to remain true to the principles of its faith? Can it maintain its ideals of social justice? Or is Islamic finance guilty of the very dangers it seeks to avoid?Trade ReviewIrfan uses his own professional and personal experiences to weave together an accessible and interesting story -- Monica Siddiqui, The Daily TelegraphIn the aptly-titled Heaven's Bankers, Harris Irfan weaves together personal anecdotes with explanations of some of the crucial aspects of the subject - and its controversies * Financial Times *Heaven's Bankers [is] more than just a good read and will become a major primary source for historians and financiers in researching and understanding this fascinating area * The Huffington Post *[Irfan opens] a window into this fascinating world * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisThis groundbreaking book explores resistance against the harsh policing of sexuality in some Muslim societies. Many Muslim majority countries still use religious discourse to enforce stigmatization and repression of those, especially women, who do not conform to sexual norms promoted either by the state or by non-state actors. In this context, Islam is often stigmatized in Western discourse for being intrinsically restrictive with respect to women's rights and sexuality. The authors show that conservative Muslim discourse does not necessarily match practices of believers or of citizens and that women's empowerment is facilitated where indigenous and culturally appropriate strategies are developed. Using case studies from Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, Israel and India, they argue persuasively that Muslim religious traditions do not necessarily lead to conservative agendas but can promote emancipatory standpoints. An intervention to the construction of 'Muslim women' as uniformly subordinate, this collection spearheads an unprecedented wake of organizing around sexualities in Muslim communities.Trade ReviewThis exciting collection provides an important contribution to understandings of sexualities and gender, focusing our attention on processes of negotiation, subversion and resistance and challenging assumptions about "Muslimness". With its diversely located studies and rich ethnographic insights, this fascinating book deserves to be widely read. * Andrea Cornwall, professor of anthropology and international development, University of Sussex *This is one of the most exciting collection of essays to emerge in a long time. Too many popular writings on Islam reinforce stereotypes about Muslim women, and few discuss sexuality at all, let alone with such diversity. This collection challenges the tired stream of books that equate Islam with terrorism and women with claustrophobic veils. A must read for any serious scholar of sexuality, Islam, and women's rights. * Chitra Raghavan, professor of psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice *This riveting book sheds new light on women's strategies for resisting sexual repression in a variety of majority Muslim societies in Asia and the Middle East. Complicating contemporary understandings of "Muslimness" , it demonstrates that women in these societies are highly diverse in their attitudes towards and experiences of sexuality. Clear, cogent and compelling, the book will be of interest to activists and academics alike and is certain to become a key text for years to come. * Marc Lafrance, professor of sociology, Concordia University *The authors of this pathbreaking book provide a new and much-needed angle to the study of sexual identities, rights, and claims in Muslim-majority societies. Going beyond the vexed "western vs authentic" dichotomy, this excellent volume should be praised for its ability to widen our understanding of how hegemonic norms of sexuality and sexual behaviour are challenged and contested by diverse actors across religious, secular and sexual orientations. A crucial book for scholars of gender, Islam, rights and sexuality. * Ruba Salih, chair of the Centre for Gender Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London *The authors are to be congratulated for this excellent volume on sexualities and "Muslimness" in all its diversities. The book captures the challenges of bodily rights, religion and culture for Muslim women's lives in a wide range of nuanced studies that illustrate exactly why sexuality is key to gender equality and human rights. * Wendy Harcourt, Erasmus University, winner of the FWSA 2010 Book Prize *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Policing gender, sexuality and 'Muslimness' - Anissa Hélie PART I: Tools of policing: the politics of history, community, law 1. The politicization of women's bodies in Indonesia: sexual scripts as charters for action - Vivienne Wee 2. Iranian women and shifting sexual ideologies, 1850-2010 - Claudia Yaghoob 3. Moral panic: the criminalization of sexuality in Pakistan - Hooria Hayat Khan 4. The promise and pitfalls of women challenging Muslim family laws in India and Israel - Yüksel Sezgin 5. Sexuality and inequality: the marriage contract and Muslim legal tradition - Ziba Mir-Hosseini PART II: Sites of contestation: reclaiming public spaces 6. Purity, sexuality and faith: Chinese women ahong and women's mosques as shelter and strength - Maria Jaschok with Shui Jingjun 7. Veiled transcripts: the private debate on public veiling in Iran - Shadi Sadr 8. Kicking back: the sports arena and sexual politics in Iran - Homa Hoodfar 9. Morality policing and the public sphere: women reclaiming their bodies and their rights - Homa Hoodfar and Ana Ghoreishian 10. 'Living sexualities': non-hetero female sexuality in urban middle-class Bangladesh - Shuchi Karim 11. Risky rights? Gender equality and sexual diversity in Muslim contexts - Anissa Hélie

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Book Synopsis‘Abd al-Jabbar ibn Hamdis (1055–1133) survives as the best-known figure from four centuries of Arab-Islamic civilisation on the island of Sicily. There he grew up in a society enriched by a century of cultural development but whose unity was threatened by competing warlords. After the Normans invaded, he followed many other Muslims in emigrating, first to North Africa and then to Seville, where he began his career as a court poet. Although he achieved fame and success in his time, Ibn Hamdis was forced to bear witness to sectarian strife among the Muslims of both Sicily and Spain, and the gradual success of the Christian reconquest, including the decline of his beloved homeland. Through his verse, William Granara examines his life and times.Trade Review‘An intriguing and original approach that brings together historical events and verses of the Siculo-Arab poet Ibn Hamdis. The author offers a wholehearted evocation of the life of a great human being and the difficult times of wars and political transitions he lived through.’ -- Francesca Maria Corrao, Professor of Arabic Language and Culture, LUISS University Rome‘Erudite and beautifully written… Granara has charmingly translated Ibn Hamdis’s poetry, which is distinguished by novel meanings, a profound lyrical sense of nostalgic longing, and audacious and memorable metaphors… It is a must-read for students of Arabic culture, Mediterranean studies, and medievalists.’ -- Maher Jarrar, Professor, American University of BeirutTable of Contents1 BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN The Kalbids of Sicily Muslim Sicily Unraveling Born in Syracuse, Becoming a Poet Education in an Early Jihadi Frontier The Rise of an Indigenous Muslim-Sicilian Culture Poetry in Muslim Sicily, From Philology to Art and Politics Crafting a Poetics of ‘Homeland’ 2 DILEMMA: TO REMAIN OR DEPART Sojourn in Sfax: Maintaining the Ifriqiya-Sicily Connection Asad ibn al-Furat: Muslim Sicily’s Founding Father Ibn Hawqal’s Sicilian Chapter In the Shadow of the Norman Conquest 3 THE FIRST DESERT CROSSING Ifriqiya: A Divided and Turbulent Motherland The Zirid Dynasty of Ifriqiya The ‘Arabs’ of Eleventh-Century Ifriqiya On the Desert Highway: Traveling with Arab Companions 4 LA DOLCE VITA IN SEVILLE The ‘Abbadid Kingdom of Seville Muslim Spain and Muslim Sicily: A Comparative View Elegy to a Father Serving the Patron: The Political Panegyric Court Poet as Court Functionary The Looming Threat of the Christian Reconquest Poetic Sparring: Poet as Client, Poet as Competitor 5 FROM THE DARK CLOUDS OF AL-ZALLAQA TO A SECOND EXILE Confrontation at Badajoz: Enter the Almoravids The Battle of al-Zallaqa The Fall of the ‘Abbadids of Seville 6 1091: ANNUS HORRIBILIS AND THE SECOND DESERT CROSSING Intermission at Qal‘at Bani Hammad Return to Mahdia Connecting to the Zirids: Praise and Blame for Tamim Vigilant Eye on the Norman Conquest Ode to a Falling Homeland Back to the Family in Sfax: Mourning the Loss of an Aunt and a Wife 7 THE POETICS OF JIHAD: AT THE ZIRID COURT IN MAHDIA At the Court of Yahya ibn Tamim Revolt and Murder at the Zirid Palace Breaking Ranks in Gabes From Seville to Nicotera and Mahdia: The Almoravids Move East Victory at al-Dimas The Almohads on the Horizon 8 TIME OF REFLECTION: ASCETIC VERSES AND ARABS AT THE NORMAN COURT Retreat into Devotional Verse Arabs and Muslim Culture at the Norman Court in Palermo 9 TWILIGHT: BLINDNESS, LOSS, AND DEFEAT Losing Sight Sicily Forever on the Mind Elegy to a Nephew and Family History Mourning a Daughter, Mourning a Homeland Death and Burial Ibn Hamdis’s Legacy in History and Literature

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Book Synopsis'Another India' tells the story of the world's biggest religious minority. Weaving together vivid biographical portraits of a wide range of Indian Muslims--elite and subaltern, secular and clerical, activist and apolitical--it brings the experience of the country's Muslims under a single focus; and, by throwing light on the Indian Muslim condition during the first thirty years of independence, reflects on the true character of democratic India. What we have here is a rather different picture from received accounts of the 'world's largest democracy'. Challenging traditional histories of Nehru's India, Pratinav Anil shows that minority rights were neglected right from independence. Despite its best intentions, the Congress regime that ruled for three decades was often illiberal, intolerant and undemocratic. Muslims had to contend with discrimination, disadvantage, deindustrialisation, dispossession and disenfranchisement, as well as an unresponsive leadership. Anil demonstrates how the Muslim elite encouraged depoliticisation, taking up seemingly noble but largely inconsequential causes with little bearing on the lives of ordinary members of the community. There was no room for mass protests or collective solidarity in this version of Muslim politics. Another India explores this elite betrayal, whose consequences are still felt by India's 200 million Muslims today.Trade Review'['Another India'] successfully punctures the myth that the secularism of Nehru's India was a golden age for Indian Muslims.' -- The Spectator'A devastating demolition of the myth created by dominant historiography that Nehru was the "generous and magnanimous torch-bearer of secularism."' -- Frontline‘Anil’s book raises… important questions that are worth answering.’ -- Open Magazine‘An eye-opener.’ -- The Indian Express‘Provides a unique perspective on the history of India’s Muslim minority following the tumultuous decades following the country’s independence in 1947.’ -- International Journal of Asian Studies'Meticulously researched, engaging and fun to read, Another India revokes the myth that Muslims were merely objects of Indian history. It is rare to come across writing brimming with this level of analytical clarity, insight and humour.' -- Adeel Hussain, Assistant Professor of Legal and Political Theory, Leiden University, and author of 'Revenge, Politics and Blasphemy in Pakistan''Anil's powerful intervention demolishes the caricature of the Indian Muslim's voice as an essay on victimhood. This richly textured analysis restores authorship to Indian Muslims in the complex story of their engagement with what ought to constitute the priorities of the minority community.' -- Pallavi Raghavan, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Ashoka University, and author of 'Animosity at Bay: An Alternative History of the India-Pakistan Relationship''An important and ambitious study unpacking the idea of Muslim agency to make sense of the complex history of postcolonial Muslim politics.' -- Hilal Ahmed, Associate Professor, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, and author of 'Muslim Political Discourse in Postcolonial India''Anil details convincingly the story of Indian Muslims before and after Partition, exploring their (unsuccessful) struggle to secure political and cultural rights as well as recovering Muslim agency in the story of postcolonial India. A must-read.' -- Katharine Adeney, Professor of Comparative Politics, University of Nottingham, and author of 'Federalism and Ethnic Conflict Regulation in India and Pakistan'

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Book SynopsisSharia Law in the Twenty-First Century consists of concise, detailed analytical studies on current critical discussions of Sharia in the Western and Muslim legal traditions. Contributors to this volume are well-known academics in their fields and have been at the forefront of critical studies on various aspects of Islamic law. Breaking new ground for understanding the dynamics of law and society, most contributors in this volume have influenced current academic discourse on Sharia. The chapters contained within this volume find that globalism and Sharia have been posing challenges to one another. These respective challenges are studied from the perspectives of theory, history and the diverse contexts in which Sharia developed during the twenty-first century. The approach in this book is overall contextual with reference to time and place. For accessibility, unlike other books on Islamic law, Sharia Law in the Twenty-First Century has minimal footnotes and reduced diacritical marks, but offers an essential glossary in an appendix.Table of ContentsAbout the Editors; About the Contributors; Introduction; Theoretical Perspectives: Contesting Sharia in Postcolonial and Geopolitical Contexts (Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im); Between Separation and Unity: The Interplay of Law and Morality in Islamic Jurisprudence (Mohammad Hashim Kamali); Sharia and the Capabilities of the Soul in Mulla Sadra's Early Thought (Rula Jurdi Abisaab); Islamic and Christian Theology in Legal Hermeneutics: In Search of a Theology of Law (Julio César Muñiz Pérez); Historical Perspectives: Legal Authority and Interpretation in Islamic Law (Knut S Vikør); Fiqh and Legislation in the Middle East and Africa (Delfina Serrano-Ruano); The Politics of Torture (Kathleen A Cavanaugh); The Islamic Institutions: Role and Application (Hana Jalloul Muro); Contextual Perspectives: The Moroccan Family Law between Tradition and Modernity (Mohammad Dahiri); The Place of Religious Law in Western Societies (Mathias Rohe); God as Sovereign; Sovereign as God: An Archaeology of the Iranian Constitution (Fatemeh Sadeghi); Private Inequality and Public Religion: A Comment on Shayara Bano, India's Triple Talaq Decision (Vrinda Narain); Constitutionalism and Sharia in Pakistan: A Debate on the National Narrative and the Identity of the State (Ana Ballesteros Peiró); Learning from the Sharia Debates (Muhammad Khalid Masud); Glossary; Index;

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for The Telegraph's Sports Book Awards - Autobiography of the Year, 2019Longlisted for the Specsavers National Book AwardsOne of the Daily Mail's and the Observer's Books of the Year, 2018The match-winning superstar of the England cricket team finally shares his remarkable personal story in this eagerly-awaited autobiography.Moeen traces his journey from backyard cricket to the county game and his first-class debut as a teenager, through to his international debut at the relatively late age of 27 and the golden summer of 2017, when he was anointed Player of the Series against South Africa with thousands of England fans chanting his name.But cricket is just one part of Moeen's life. His upbringing in the tough Sparkhill neighbourhood of Birmingham and the awakening at eighteen that led him to become a devout Muslim have given him a social conscience unusual for an elite athlete but have also attracted controversy. Here, for the first time, Moeen tells his side of the story.Talented, tenacious and thoughtful, Moeen Ali is a true all-rounder.

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