The years following Muhammad's passing in 632 AD saw an intellectual "war of ideas" rage between rationalist, flexible schools of Islam and the more dogmatic, rigid ones. The traditionalist school won out, fostering perceptions of Islam as antithetical to modernity. However, through his careful reexamination of the currents of Muslim thought, Akyol discovers a flourishing of liberalism in the nineteenth-century Ottoman Empire and the unique "Islamo-liberal synthesis" of present-day Turkey. Only by accepting a secular state, he powerfully asserts, can Islamic societies thrive. Persuasive and inspiring, Islam without Extremes offers a desperately needed intellectual basis for the reconcilability of Islam and religious, political, economic, and social freedoms.

    At the core of every heart it reaches it creates a desire to lift the veil between the human and the Divine, not merely to believe and worship and practice, but to see, know, and be with the One who is greater than all. Sufism is a way of worship of the Divine through such direct knowledge, in the Prophetic phrase, “as though you see Him.”Sea Without Shore describes five remarkable men the author met and knew in his own Sufi path, and what he heard and learned from them first hand while living in the Near East over several decades. It is a Sufi manual taken from hearts, because God looks at them first, and they matter to the work of the Sufis more than books or literature. It offers a window upon a living tradition of experiential knowledge of the highest Reality. It is a handbook as valuable for its inside view of a centuries-old Islamic mystical order, as for its solution to the greatest mysteries at the heart of human existence: you, God, and your fate beyond the grave." -Nuh Ha Mim KellerSea Without Shore is a practical manual for those travelling the path of Sufism or Islamic mysticism, which strives, in Junayd's words, "to separate the Beginninglessly Eternal from that which originates in time," in a word, to be with the Divine without any relation.The Book opens with narratives of Sufis met by the author in Syria, Jordan, and Turkey whose lives exemplified the knowledge and practice of the Sufi path.The second part is a complete handbook of the method and rule of the Shadhili order of Susifm, transmitted to the author by his spiritual mentor, Sheikh 'Abd al-Rahman al-Shaghouri - from devotions, dhikr or 'invocation,' and metaphysical doctrine, to how a Sufi lives, marries, and earns a living in the modern world.A third part treats wider theological questions such as other faiths and mysticisms, universalism and the finality of Islam, the promise of God to Jews and Christians, evolution and religion, and divine Wisdom and Justice in the face of human suffering.The book provides an indelible portrait of a vibrant mystical tradition spanning seven and a half centuries of endeavor to know the Divine without any other.

    Edited for ease of comprehension, English-speaking readers will find this compilation both spiritually enriching and easy to understand. With 365 verses covering the whole year, this is a must for every home.An introduction to the Qur'an and its eternal message for humanity is included, giving the reader an insight into its origin, purpose, and style.Abdur Raheem Kidwai is professor of English at the Aligarh Muslim University in India and the well-known author of many works on the Qur'an and Islam.

    

    Now Blanford has written the first comprehensive inside account of Hezbollah and its enduring struggle against Israel. Based on more than a decade and a half of reporting in Lebanon and conversations with Hezbollah’s determined fighters, Blanford reveals their ideology, motivations, and training, as well as new information on military tactics, weapons, and sophisticated electronic warfare and communications systems.Using exclusive sources and his own dogged investigative skills, Blanford traces Hezbollah’s extraordinary evolution—from a zealous group of raw fighters motivated by Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution into the most formidable non-state military organization in the world, whose charismatic leader vows to hasten Israel’s destruction. With dramatic eyewitness accounts, including Blanford’s own experiences of the battles, massacres, triumphs, and tragedies that have marked the conflict, the story follows the increasingly successful campaign of resistance that led to Israel’s historic withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.Warriors of God shows how Hezbollah won hearts and minds with exhaustive social welfare programs and sophisticated propaganda skills. Blanford traces the group’s secret military build-up since 2000 and reveals the stunning scope of its underground network of tunnels and bunkers, becoming the only journalist to independently discover and explore them. With the Middle East fearful of another, even more destructive war between Lebanon and Israel, Blanford tenaciously pursues Hezbollah’s post-2006 battle plans in the Lebanese mountains, earning him newspaper scoops as well as a terrifying interrogation and a night in jail.Featuring sixteen years of probing interviews with Hezbollah’s leaders and fighters, Warriors of God is essential to understanding a key player in a region rocked by change and uncertainty.

    As Muslims, we strive to live every aspect of our lives in accordance with our Islamic beliefs, in order to earn the pleasure of Allah and reach paradise in the next life. Just how do we go about accomplishing all this, though? How do we get from where we are to where we want to be? The True Secret offers practical, step-by-step suggestions that anyone can use to evaluate his or her present situation and begin to make changes in beliefs and actions, working towards success in this life and the next. The examples, explanations and recommendations are in accordance with authentic Islamic teachings. We know that everything happens by the will of Allah, and this certainty gives us security and peace of mind, but we are still accountable for our own actions.{Verily, Allah will never change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.} (Qur’an 13: 11)Open your mind and your heart, make your intention to please Allah, then open this book and begin your journey towards unlocking your full potential. Inshallah you will be glad you did.

    This is because fasting purifies the soul and cleanses it from the evil that might cause it to become a miser and their ill behavior.

    Its 2,000 footnotes and supplemental subject index are beneficial additions. It has been highly recommended by notable personalities such as Sheik Yusuf Estes, Dr. Zakir Naik, Dr. Sabeel Ahmed, Imam Siraj Wahaj and Dr. Bilal Philips.

    He exposes errors and fallacies in their chronological framework and educated conjectures, their tainted assumptions on the religious and cultural effects of Islamization in indigenous history. In dealing with the Islamic past his critique of their empirical and inductive methods and weak logical analysis and rational estimation deserves due appreciation. In contradiction to what the historians assume as the facts of history the author demonstrates his own explanation and interpretation of the major issues and casts new light on many basic matters that have hitherto eluded inquiry

    This book has been designed for people who don't know how to pray yet or those who aren't sure whether they learned correctly or not. In this book you will learn the prayers by reading clear and simple descriptions of what to do along with pictures to make sure you understood correctly. One of the unique features of this book is that it doesn't limit itself to teaching the rituals behind the prayer only. Rather, there is an entire chapter dedicated to learning the meanings behind each statement and action in the prayer.

    On one hand is the notion that Christianity is superior to Islam and that Muslims are warmongers. On the other is the notion that all religions basically say the same thing and are peaceable. Theologian and critically acclaimed author Lee Camp argues that both these extremes are wrong. He introduces Christian and Islamic views on war and peacemaking and examines Christian and non-Christian terrorism to help readers confront their own prejudices. Camp shatters misconceptions about religious violence, arguing that American Christians often opt for an ethic that has more in common with the story of Muhammad than with the story of Jesus. This book shows readers how to respond faithfully and intelligently to Muslims in today's world as well as to the New Atheists who suppose that all religion is inherently violent. It provides balanced teaching on war and peacemaking, offering hope for reconciliation in a post-9/11 world.

    Attempted attacks like the Times Square bombing, the "underwear bombing" on a flight over Detroit, and the attack on a Christmas-tree-lighting ceremony in Oregon were all isolated plots that failed. In the words of Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano, "The system worked." Don't believe it. In The Terrorist Next Door, investigative reporter Erick Stakelbeck exposes the staggering truth about our national security: the Obama administration is concealing and whitewashing the enormous terrorist threat growing right here within America's borders. If you believe terrorism is only a problem for other countries, Stakelbeck's on-the-ground reporting will open your eyes. He has been inside America's radical mosques, visited US-based Islamic enclaves, and learned about our enemies by going straight to the source--interviewing al-Qaeda-linked terrorists themselves. In this shocking book, Stakelbeck reveals: -How Islamic radicals have established separatist compounds and even jihadist training camps throughout rural America -That an overt disciple of Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini now leads one of the largest mosques in America -How mega-mosques aren't just planned for Ground Zero--they're being built in the heart of the Bible Belt as part of a plan for Islamic domination -Program to recruit Americans into terror groups -How the Obama administration's beguiling counter-terrorism policies are increasing the threat of another 9/11 The Terrorist Next Door sounds the alarm on a growing threat to every American--one that the US government refuses to face honestly or even to name. As we struggle against a relentless and adaptable Islamist enemy that is committed to destroying our nation, we can't say we weren't warned.

    It's an experience I share with most Muslim children. And so it is that our connection to the Qur'an is infused with associations of the warmest and most enduring of human bonds.In Reading the Qur'an, Sardar--one of Europe's leading public intellectuals--laments that for far too many Muslims, the Qur'an he had learned in his mother's lap has become a stick used for ensuring conformity and suppressing dissenting views. Indeed, some find in the Qur'an justification for misogyny, validation for hatred of others, an obsession with dress and mindless ritual, rules for running modern states. Arguing passionately but reasonably against these trends, Sardar speaks out for a more open, less doctrinaire approach to reading the Qur'an. He contends that the Qur'an is not fixed in stone for all time, but a dynamic text which every generation must encounter anew, and whose relevance and implications for our time we have yet to fully discover. The words of the Qur'an imply movement: the religious life, it tells us, is not about standing still but always striving to make our life, our society, the entire world around us a better place for everyone. Sardar explores the Qur'an from a variety of perspectives, from traditional exegesis to hermeneutics, critical theory, and cultural analysis, drawing fresh and contemporary lessons from the Sacred Text. He also examines what the Qur'an says about such contemporary topics as power and politics, rights of women, suicide, domestic violence, sex, homosexuality, the veil, freedom of expression, and evolution.Ziauddin Sardar opens a new window on this remarkable Sacred Text, in a book that will engage all devout Muslims and will interest anyone curious about the Qur'an and Islam today.

    That is because they do not study the only foundation of knowledge about the true nature of Islam- Mohammed and Allah. This self-study course is based on three of the Islamic source texts: the Koran, the Sira (biography of Mohammed) and the Hadith (his traditions). If your knowledge comes from these original texts, it can be verified and your understanding is on firm ground. SECRETS REVEALED The Koran and all Islamic texts are difficult to read by design. But, when the artificial language is stripped away and replaced by simple English, the results are astounding. We learn that the Islamic ethical system is based on dualism-one set of rules for Muslims and another set of rules for non-Muslims (Kafirs). We find out that Mohammed was a slave trader, an abuser of women and a warlord. Islam as a religion was a failure. Only when Mohammed turned to jihad and politics, did he have any success. A THREE LEVEL SELF-STUDY COURSE The self-study course covers fourteen different topics about Islam from three different views. Each level can be read on its own, but there is a progression of information. This course will end your confusion about Islam. You will understand what underlies the events in the Islamic world and what this means for our civilization. This is Level 2

    They offer hope and strength to their nations and the directions they take in their lives determine the fate of their people. Understanding, addressing, and solving their problems and worries are thus of utmost importance for all members of society.In this unique and lucid booklet, the revered contemporary scholar, Shaykh Muhammad al-ʻUthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him), addresses some of the ideological and sociological challenges faced by modern youth.Starting with an astute description of the state of modern young adults, he outlines major issues hindering their progress on the straight path of Islam. He not only covers current issues such as joblessness, estrangement between the young and their elders, and keeping good company but also discusses subjects like predestination and the limits Islam places on individuals. In all instances, al-ʻUthaymeen draws on the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah to offer tangible solutions and to inspire the hearts of young people.The simplicity and straightforwardness of this work make even complicated issues easy to grasp. The wise advice the author offers is not only well-presented but practical and compassionate. This book will benefit not only the young of society but their parents and educators as well.

    It is in that spirit that I would like to convey my feelings on our beloved Prophet Mohammed, may the peace and blessings of Allah forever be upon him.I was not born into the Muslim faith and had many of the same views that many Westerners hold today. The very first time I read about the life of the last Prophet of God, it literally brought me to tears. I had read Napoleon Hill's book " Think and Grow Rich", and in the chapter entitled Persistence, Napoleon Hill says the story of Prophet Mohammed ( PBUH ) is one of the greatest examples on the power of Persistence known to man. This sparked my curiosity and I began reading as much material as I could about the Great man, and the life he led, and this led to my conversion to Islam in 1974. My hope and aim was to give a glimpse into what I found in hopes that others would come to love him and what he stood for, as much as I do. Being a Westerner I know how many view the Religion of Al-Islam and to you I would say, don't let your hatred blind you to the truth. We as human beings were given minds as thinking rational beings, we owe it to ourselves to examine even contrasting views. Don't Measure anyone through anyone's eyes but your own. Many are so full of hate towards Muslims and Islam, they have never even bothered to read about the life of the Last Prophet to the world, or the Q'uran, the last revealed word of God. The sad part is, Mohammed ( PBUH ) is not just the Prophet of Islam, but he is the last Prophet of God to the world, in a long succession of Prophet's that have lived on this earth, from Adam to Mohammed ( Peace be upon them both ). To quote brother Maulana Muhammad Ali " The real conviction is that God comes to man not by the belief that there is a God in the outer world, but by the realization of the Divine within himself".~ John Milton Lawrence ~

    More important than his achievements as a state leader was his close companionship with Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him; in fact, this relationship was so close that the Prophet referred to him as al-Siddiq, the Truthful one, due to his peerless faithfulness to the Prophet and his message. Those who had knowledge of the earlier scriptures knew not only about the awaited Prophet but also his would-be Companion Abu Bakr. He was also the second of the two mentioned in the Qur'an (Tawba 9:40), in reference to the great emigration to Medina when Abu Bakr was the only Companion who was privileged to ride alongside the Prophet in this perilous journey, a turning point in the history of humankind.

    That is because they do not study the only foundation of knowledge about the true nature of Islam—Mohammed and Allah. This self-study course is based on three of the Islamic source texts: the Koran, the Sira (biography of Mohammed) and the Hadith (his traditions). If your knowledge comes from these original texts, it can be verified and your understanding is on firm ground. Secrets Revealed The Koran and all Islamic texts are difficult to read by design. But, when the artificial language is stripped away and replaced by simple English, the results are astounding. We learn that the Islamic ethical system is based on dualism— one set of rules for Muslims and another set of rules for non-Muslims (Kafirs). We find out that Mohammed was a slave trader, an abuser of women and a warlord. Islam as a religion was a failure. Only when Mohammed turned to jihad and politics, did he have any success. A Three Level Self-Study Course The self-study course covers fourteen different topics about Islam from three different views. Each level can be read on its own, but there is a progression of information. This course will end your confusion about Islam. You will understand what underlies the events in the Islamic world and what this means for our civilization.

    I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this translation to students and others seeking to understand the essence and epitome of the Quranic message."-- Prof. T. Hargery, Director, African Studies, Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville ..".an austerely faithful translation in English...based on a close study of commentaries of the Qur' an - the work of my learned name-sake Maulvi Muhammad Ali of Lahore...The translation and the notes...all demonstrate the labour of love and devoted zeal."-- Late Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar of "The Comrade" "It is certainly a work of which any scholar might legitimately be proud."-- The Quest, London

    Combine this with the exponential advances in technology, and the result is an increasing number of ways to amuse ourselves.As a result of such advances, Muslim react in a variety of manners towards entertainment. Some label entertainment as completely forbidden. This sometimes includes parents who say no to almost everything that their young ones deem to be ‘fun’, without providing them with suitable alternatives. Others, who do not want to take this extreme approach, fall into the trap of excessive use of – and even addiction to – various sources of entertainment, without any limits.In Having Fun the Halal Way, Ismail Kamdar explores the teachings of Islam regarding entertainment. Drawing upon the Quran, the Sunnah and the understanding of the righteous scholars of Islam, he provides a detailed and balanced analysis of the topic. He not only explains the detriments of the current entertainment industry, but also suggests alternative means to have a good time with friends and family members.

    Then you discover that they have their minds filled with the "establishment" version of Islam and give you their justifications that support it. This book is written for those who want to be effective in persuading others about the true nature of Islam. You learn the powerful method of fact-based reasoning. Since 9/11 these methods have been used to change the minds of supporters of Islam from all political backgrounds. Anyone, whether they are liberals, progressives, leftists or conservatives, can all be persuaded to see the truth in light of the facts about Islam. Since the methods used in this book are based on the sacred source texts of Islam, those who have read the Trilogy of Koran, Sira and Hadith will obtain the full benefit. Others can learn from the examples, but the more facts you have, the better your results. If you want to understand the Trilogy, go to www.politicalislam.com where you can learn about Islam's doctrine with the Foundations of Islam, A Self-Study Course.

    He traces the common roots of British and American liberty, and describes how both countries are losing their inheritance as government crowds out the private sphere. He calls for a renewed commitment to the Anglosphere: the alliance of free, English-speaking nations which has preserved freedom in our time.

     The Music Made Me Do It examines this topic in light of authentic Islamic sources, in order to clarify, the prohibitions and allowances regarding music and singing. In addition, the author describes the harmful social, psychological and physical effects of music on individuals, citing well-documented contemporary research in the fields of medical and behavioural sciences. The interweaving of the two perspectives make this book a valuable asset for anyone interested in exploring Islamic issue.

    Keith Small analyzes a defined portion of text from the Qur'an with two aims in view: to recover the earliest form of text for this portion, and to trace the historical development of this portion to the current form of the text of the Qur'an. Small concludes that though a significantly early edited form of the consonantal text of the Qur'an can be recovered, its original forms of text cannot be obtained. He also documents the further editing that was required to record the Arabic text of the Qur'an in a complete phonetic script, as well as providing an explanation for much of the development of various recitation systems of the Qur'an. This controversial, thought-provoking book provides a rigorous examination into the history of the Qur'an and will be of great interest to Quranic Studies scholars.

    For too long communication between Muslims and Christians has been broken down because of fear and misunderstanding.Millions of Muslims have never read a page of the New Testament or even been invited to a Christian home. Let's change that.As you read this book, you will learn ways to help bridge the gap with your Muslim neighbor. Come, discover how God can use you to be an ambassador to Muslims and make a difference.

    Author Frances Worthington researches the three wives/concubines (Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah) of Abraham, and traces their lineage to five different religions - Christianity, Judaism, Islam, the Babi Faith, and the Baha'i Faith. Examining the scripture and traditions of these five "Abrahamic" faiths, this complex story also draws heavily from a rich variety of historical sources that provide a fascinating backdrop.

    The 10 Volumes of this publication gather in one place all relevant information needed to make the Qur'an more understandable and easier to study. This publication does this by providing the following: 1. The Arabic Text for those who are able to read the Arabic language2. Transliteration of the Arabic text for those who are unable to read the Arabic script. This will give them a sample of the sound of the original Arabic Qur'an, which they could not otherwise comprehend from reading the English meaning only.3. The meaning of the qur'an in English(translated by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali, Ph.D. and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan)4. abridged Tafsir (Explanation) by Ibn Kathir (translated under the supervision of Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri)We hope that by doing this an ordinary English-speaker will be able to pick up a copy of this book and study and comprehend The Glorious Qur'an in a way that is acceptable to the understanding of the Rightly-guided Muslim Ummah (Community).

    But learning about his life and understanding his importance has always proven difficult, as our only source of knowledge comes from the biography of him written by his followers, the reliability of which has been questioned by Western scholars. This Very Short Introduction provides a superb introduction to the major aspects of Muhammad's life and its importance, providing both Muslim and Western historical perspectives. It explains the prominent roles that Muhammad's persona has played in the Islamic world throughout history, from the medieval to the modern period. The book also sheds light on modern controversies such as the Satanic Verses, for which author Salman Rushdie was condemned for blasphemy, and the uproar over Danish cartoons of Muhammad, which triggered violent protests around the world. As these recent events show, whatever the truth about Muhammad's life, his persona still plays a crucial role in Muslim life and civilization.About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

    Included within are Hazrat’s observations on the causes of the current predicament of the Ummah, made while touring Istanbul, the land opened for Islam by the great Muslim conqueror Sultan Muhammad al-Fateh. Also contained herein are invaluable insights for those traveling the spiritual path, shared in Konya, the city of one of the greatest lovers of Allah, Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi.

    The text is written in Uthmani style and has case vowelization and dotting on the letters that are audible. Letters related to tajweed rules are distinguished within the text by the use of colors, indicating the various tajweed rules. This technique helps simplify the rules of recitation for the reader in order to encourage and facilitate correct Qur'anic recitation. The text is color-coded: grey indicates when a letter is not pronounced, red indicates letters which require expanded vocalization, green indicates nasalization and blue shows the emphatic pronunciation of the letter.This copy of the Holy Qur'an clarifies words and meanings by providing detailed explanations in the margins of the text (tafseer wa bayan).

    Discusses, one by one, the attributive names of our Lord, this book seeks to draw the reader closer to Allah by examining the names of Allah, so that we may see more clearly the magnificence of our Almighty Lord, and learn more about Him.

    Dr. Hatem al-Haj has translated and elaborated on it, noting the opinions of other schools of Islamic jurisprudence, thus giving the English-speaking student a broader base for his or her understanding of fiqh.The author has made the difficult subject of fiqh easier to learn and more comprehensible by using visual aids and a unique symbol system. This book is a must-have for the serious student of knowledge. In the author’s words:This knowledge will only be beneficial if it is sought for Allah’s sake, coupled with compassionate devotion towards Him and diligent adherence to the way of our most beloved, Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him). It will be retained only by frequent reviews, and confirmed by teaching it to those who are less knowledgeable.Worship, when devoutly observed and correctly performed, is the ultimate human function for which people were created, and the only way to attain the ultimate success, being the pleasure of our Lord (Exalted is He).

    What do we know about the world that is beyond our physical perception? What does a man's lifetime in this world amount to if compared to the universal dimension of time? If there is no god up in the sky who expects worship from people, then what is the reason behind religious and spiritual practices? What are we going to experience through and beyond death? The author discusses what the Quran and modern sciences say about these topics and more.

    This book brings to life the biography of this unique hero of Islam, the gallant lion of the fields, the standard-bearer of the heroes, and the pir, or spiritual guide, of believers. It thoroughly analyses where and how he was raised, the dynamics that formed his personality and what sort of a future destiny lay in store for him. His life has a lot to offer us today, presenting us with many examples and experiences that we can carry into our own social lives.

    Based on four published Arabic editions of the Mi‘raj and two manuscript versions, this translation is supplemented by excerpts from some of Ibn ‘Ajiba’s other works, which offer insights about the essential notions of Sufism: repentance, integrity, love, patience, gratitude, and the Eternal Wine. A comprehensive compilation, this bilingual edition—Arabic and English—celebrates Ahmad ibn ‘Ajiba’s belief that coming to know and reflect upon these notions could be, in itself, a sort of ascending meditative journey.

    At least one verse from every chapter and over one fifth of the total text of the Holy Quran is cited. It is written and structured both to be read in its totality or as individual stand-alone chapters to be sampled at will. This work is thus essential reading not only for Muslims and those interested in Islam and the Holy Quran, but for all those interested in the secrets and mysteries of love as such.‘What the world should understand when it hears the Qur’an.’—Sheikh Ali Gomaa, Grand Mufti of Egypt‘A masterwork of scholarship and of inspiration.’—H.E. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Distinguished Senior Scholar, the Library of Congress‘Prince Ghazi has produced a definitive study of love in the Qur’an.’—Professor David F. Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge, U.K.‘Love in the Holy Qur’an is bound to become a classic.’—Tamara Sonn, Kenan Professor of Humanities, College of William and MaryH.R.H. Prince Ghazi of Jordan is a Professor of Islamic Philosophy, and is well known as an interfaith activist and author. He obtained his BA from Princeton University in 1988 Summa cum laude; his first PhD from Cambridge University, U.K., in 1993, and his second PhD from Al-Azhar University in Cairo. In 1997 he founded the National Park of the Site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ; in 2001 he established the Great Tafsir Project, the largest online project for exegesis of the Holy Quran, and in 2008 he founded the World Islamic Sciences and Education University. He was the author of the historical Open Letter A Common Word Between Us and You in 2007, and the author of the World Interfaith Harmony Week United Nations General Assembly Resolution in October 2010. Love in the Holy Quran is a translation of his Al-Azhar University PhD. During the first year after its publication in Arabic, it was downloaded over 485,000 times on the Internet.

    The author’s careful choice of traditions and his sifting the original material from the earliest sources is here reinforced by the modern editors of the text and their judicious checking and assessment of the traditions cited.

    

    It includes an overview of Tabataba'i's life and transcriptions of discussions between Tabataba'i and his students. It covers history, philosophy, mysticism, theology, and the Qur'an.

    Jane Hirshfield has said, "Kazim Ali - a writer whose powers astonish in everything he puts pen to - has made in FASTING FOR RAMADAN a book that is hybrid, peregrine, and deeply, quietly revelatory. Ali's meditations on the month-long ritual fast unfold, across cultures and spiritual practices, the deep meaning of a chosen foregoing. These journal-born pages are both intimate and public, at once ecumenical, particular, daily, and eloquently learned; planted on the deep roots of tradition, they breathe this moment's air. Is it possible for a work to be at once modest and an undeniable tour de force? This book proves: it is."

    The book is the fruit of research carried out by José Miguel Puerta Vílchez, lecturer in History of Art at the University of Granada. It is an approach aimed at giving a better understanding of the uses and functions, forms and meanings of the different areas of the palace, all resulting from a refined and elevated concept of poetry as an instrument and means of perpetuation of the political and spiritual power of the Nasrid monarchs. The 2nd edition of Reading the Alhambra contains 900 photos, drawings and three-dimensional recreations, along with 16 maps, and is issued with the DVD Sentir la Alhambra, in 6 languages, containing recitals in Arabic of poems, verses from the Koran, scrolling calligraphic inscriptions and an original sound track.

    This humble version of the classic fairy tale is a gentle reminder that victory comes as much from a peaceful soul as a beautiful dress and a dramatic confrontation." - Luxury ReadingCinderella is one of the oldest, best-known, and most loved stories worldwide, with hundreds of cultural variants and re-tellings from ancient Egypt and China to the present day. In this version we follow the trials and tribulations of the sweet, gentle, and pious Zahra when her parents die and she is left at the mercy of an uncaring stepmother and stepsisters. This is a well-crafted Islamic version of the classic tale in which faith, goodness, and prayer are rewarded in the end. The charming, richly detailed illustrations of Shireen Adams, set in medieval Andalusia, help bring the text to life.

    

    This title presents a translation of this prayer.

    He offers a historical perspective on the war of Islamism against the nation-state system, looking at changes in world order from the Thirty Years' War of the seventeenth century to Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979 to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

    His writings on the interrelation of law, theology and mysticism were central in establishing Sufism as a core dimension of orthodox Islamic practice. Muslim communities all across the world today still base much of their practice of Islam on Ghazali's writings.The Forty Foundations of Religion, Ghazali s own summary of his magnum opus, The Revival of the Religious Sciences, serves as a brief and powerful summary of Islamic faith, worship, law and spirituality. It outlines the basis of Islamic belief, the foundational matters of ritual and practice, and the character traits a person must cultivate and avoid in the perfection of faith.Now you can experience the wisdom of Ghazali even if you have no previous knowledge of The Forty Foundations of Religion or Islam. This SkyLight Illuminations edition the first publication of significant portions of The Forty Foundations of Religion in English provides original translations of selected highlights accompanied by insightful commentary that makes the core message of this great spiritual master relevant to anyone seeking a balanced understanding of Islam."

    Closely examining some of the most meaningful and best preserved premodern illustrated manuscripts of Islamic cosmographies, Persis Berlekamp refutes the assertion often made by other historians of medieval Islamic art that, while representational images did exist, they did not serve religious purposes.The author focuses on widely disseminated Islamic images of the wonders of creation, ranging from angels to human-snatching birds, and argues that these illustrated manuscripts aimed to induce wonder at God's creation, as was their stated purpose. She tracks the various ways that images advanced that purpose in the genre's formative milieu--the century and a half following the Mongol conquest of the Islamic East in 1258. Delving into social history and into philosophical ideas relevant to manuscript and image production, Berlekamp shows that philosophy occupied an established, if controversial, position within Islam. She thereby radically reframes representational images within the history of Islam.

    Yet, the issue remains one of the most controversial to have afflicted the Muslim world down the centuries. It is also the source of much damaging media coverage today as Islamic jurisprudence stands accused of a flagrant disregard for human rights and freedom of expression.The subject of this book is a highly sensitive and important one. The author rightly concentrates on evidence, to examine the historical origins of the debate in rigorous detail, as well as the many moral and contextual issues surrounding it. Disputing arguments put forward by proponents of the death penalty he contends that both the Qur’an and the Sunnah promote freedom of belief including the act of exiting the Faith and do not support capital punishment for the sin of al-riddah. Note that attention is on the word sin, for there is qualification: as long as one’s apostasy has not been accompanied by anything else that would be deemed a criminal act, particularly in terms of national security, then according to the author, it remains a matter strictly between God and the individual. Of interest is the fact that the Qur’an significantly refers to individuals repeatedly returning to unbelief after having believed, but does not mention that they should be killed or punished. This work has been written at a time of great complexity and vulnerability when a true understanding of the higher intents and values of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, maqasid al-shariah, is sorely needed. The author employs a strong evidence-based approach examining in detail the Qur’an and authentic Hadith, taking into consideration traditional approaches to the study of the Islamic textual sciences and other fields of knowledge, as well as analyzing scholastic interpretation.Taking the life of a person without just cause is according to the Qur’an equivalent to the killing of the whole of mankind. It is vital therefore, that in the interests of compassion and justice, as well as freedom of belief, this subject is clearly addressed once and for all.

    In the eyes of many radical Muslims and their Western allies, these Crusades are still going on in the new form of American “imperialism.” Muslim Persecution of Christians documents the falsification of history that justifies this view. It also describe the real “crusade” now taking place – the religious cleansing of Christians in Muslim lands. This persecution has dramatically increased worldwide in the last decade and is now worse than ever. From Egypt to Nigeria, from Iraq to Pakistan, Christians in majority-Muslim countries face a grimmer present and a more uncertain future than ever, as Islamic Jihadists step up their efforts of Islamize them or drive them out of their lands – or kill them outright.

    Under the influence of intellectuals and academics in Western universities, intellectuals such as Gore Vidal, Susan Sontag, Edward Said, and Noam Chomsky, and destructive intellectual fashions such as post-modernism, moral relativism, and multiculturalism, the West has lost all self-confidence in its own values, and seems incapable and unwilling to defend those values. By contrast, resurgent Islam, in all its forms, is supremely confident, and is able to exploit the West's moral weakness and cultural confusion to demand ever more concessions from her. The growing political and demographic power of Muslim communities in the West, aided and abetted by Western apologists of Islam, not to mention a compliant, pro-Islam U.S. administration, has resulted in an ever-increasing demand for the implementation of Islamic law, sharia, into the fabric of Western law, and Western constitutions. There is an urgent need to examine why sharia is totally incompatible with Human Rights and the US Constitution. This book, the first of its kind, proposes to examine the Sharia and its potential and actual threat to democratic principles.This book defines and defends Western values, strengths and freedoms often taken for granted. This book also tackles the taboo subjects of racism in Asian culture, Arab slavery, and Islamic imperialism. It begins with a homage to New York City, as a metaphor for all we hold dear in Western culture: pluralism, individualism, freedom of expression and thought, the complete freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness unhampered by totalitarian regimes, and theocratic doctrines.

    Not only has Islam failed to follow the trajectory pursued by variants of Christianity, namely confinement to the private sphere and depoliticisation, but it has also forcefully re-asserted itself as mobilizations in its name challenge the global order in a series of geopolitical, cultural and philosophical struggles. The continuing (if not growing) relevance of Islam suggests that global history cannot simply be presented as a scaled up version of that of the West. Quests for Muslim autonomy present themselves in several forms - local and global, extremist and moderate, conservative and revisionist - in the light of which the recycling of conventional narratives about Islam becomes increasingly problematic. Not only are these accounts inadequate for understanding Muslim experiences, but by relying on them many Western governments pursue policies that are counter-productive and ultimately hazardous for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. "Recalling the Caliphate" engages critically with the interaction between Islam and the political in context of a post colonial world that continues to resist profound decolonization. In the first part of this book, Sayyid focuses on how demands for Muslim autonomy are debated in terms such as democracy, cultural relativism, secularism, and liberalism. Each chapter analyzes the displacements and evasions by which the decolonization of the Muslim world continues to be deflected and deferred, while the latter part of the book builds on this critique, exploring, and attempts to accelerate the decolonization of the Muslim Ummah.

    Their powerful voices highlight human dignity, freedom to choose how one lives out one's faith, and the inner strength it takes to do so.

    The Topography was written by a Portuguese cleric, Doctor Antonio de Sosa, who was captured by Algerian corsairs in 1577 and held as a Barbary slave for over four years while awaiting ransom. Sosa's work is a fascinating description of a city at the crossroads of civilizations, with a sophisticated multilingual population of Turks, Arabs, Moriscos, Berbers, Jews, Christian captives, and converts to Islam from across the world.In the Topography of Algiers , Sosa meticulously describes the inhabitants' daily lives; their fashions, pastimes, feasts, and funerals; their government; the landmarks of the city itself; and much more. Readers will be struck by the vibrancy of his narrative, rendered into English with crisp accuracy by Diana de Armas Wilson. The Topography is a treasure trove of amazing customs, startling behavior, and historical anecdotes that will enthrall readers. The extensive introduction by Maria Antonia Garces is a superb archival study of the Mediterranean world described by the Topography , as well as an expose of the adventurous, even scandalous, life of its author. The introduction also discusses the fraudulent publication of Sosa's Topography under another man's name.Sosa's chronicle stands out for its complexity, vitality, and the sharpness of the author's ethnographic vision. No other account of captivity in this period offers such a detailed and dynamic tableau of Algerian society at the end of the sixteenth century."Long overdue, this translation and edition of Sosa's Topografia is an absolute gem. Sixteenth-century Algiers was the Mediterranean's crossroads, a meeting point and melting-pot for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Sosa's survey literally brings this important city to life. It is all there: architecture, economy, and religion, plus pirates, renegades, slaves, marriage customs, and more. There is no better source for understanding the human complexity of the early modern Mediterranean world, and both Diana de Armas Wilson--for the translation--and Maria Antonia Garces--for the introduction and notes--deserve credit for their masterful achievement." --Richard L. Kagan, Johns Hopkins University"This is a truly significant text for all scholars of early modern Europe, worthy of their greatest interest and attention. An Early Modern Dialogue with Islam: Antonio de Sosa's Topography of Algiers (1612) marks a watershed in our understanding of the synergies of power and the nature of shifting identities along the borderlands of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Europe; this work stands as an example of interdisciplinary and cross-culture criticism at its best." --E. Michael Gerli, University of Virginia  "Maria Antonia Garces, author of the classic Cervantes in Algiers: A Captive's Tale , crowns her scholarly achievements with a true masterpiece: An Early Modern Dialogue with Islam: Antonio de Sosa's Topography of Algiers (1612). Sosa's  Topografia was formerly attributed to Diego de Haedo, but Professor Garces was able to solve the centuries-long mystery of the real authorship of the famous  Topography , thanks to her patient research in European archives. Garces's stunning discovery, furthermore, sheds new light on the life of Cervantes, for Sosa was not only his fellow captive in Algiers, but also his first biographer. As the foremost scholar on Cervantes's relationship with Algiers and the Mediterranean, Garces has joined forces with Wilson, a superb translator of Spanish texts. --Luce Lopez-Baralt, University of Puerto Rico

    Mohammad Azadpur focuses on the thought of Alfarabi and Avicenna, who, like ancient Greek philosophers and some of their successors, viewed philosophy as a series of spiritual exercises. However, Muslim Peripatetics differed from their Greek counterparts in assigning importance to prophecy. The Islamic philosophical account of the cultivation of the soul to the point of prophecy unfolds new vistas of intellectual and imaginative experience and accords the philosopher an exceptional dignity and freedom. With reference to both Islamic and Western philosophers, Azadpur discusses how Islamic Peripatetic thought can provide an antidote to some of modernity's philosophical problems. A discussion of the development of later Islamic Peripatetic thought is also included.

    Qur'an interpretation of meaning in English.

    Its features include: Comprehensive coverage of Arabic grammar and structure in current standard use (MSA), from entry level to advanced proficiency Balanced treatment of the phonological, syntactic, and morphological rules of the Arabic language An intuitive presentation of grammar rules and structures, in order of frequency and functional use Straightforward explanations with minimum linguistic jargon and terminology, explaining the key issues Packed throughout with symbols, tables, diagrams, and illustrative examples, this book is essential reading for anyone in the early years of studying the language.

    Addressing relevant and crucial contemporary issues, these new scholarly translations of the important treatises provide access to important debates on authority and reform in Islamic legal reasoning. The question of ijtihad (independent critical reasoning) versus taqlid (adherence to the classical schools and rulings of Islamic law) continues to inform contemporary discussions of how Muslims—as individuals and in their institutions and practice—can maintain fidelity and authenticity while addressing the compelling issues of the present age.

    For this reason, Ibn Khaldun has been widely regarded as the founder of sociology, or at least a precursor of modern sociology. While he was given this recognition, however, few works went beyond proclaiming him as a founder or precursor to the systematic application of his theoretical perspective to specific historical and contemporary aspects of Muslim societies in North Africa and the Middle East. The continuing presence of Eurocentrism in the social sciences has not helped in this regard: it often stands in the way of the consideration of non-Western sources of theories and concepts. This book provides an overview of Ibn Khaldun and his sociology, discusses reasons for his marginality, and suggests ways to bring Ibn Khaldun into the mainstream through the systematic application of his theory. It moves beyond works that simply state that Ibn Khaldun was a founder of sociology or provide descriptive accounts of his works. Instead it systematically applies Khalduns theoretical perspective to specific historical aspects of Muslim societies in North Africa and the Middle East, successfully integrating concepts and frameworks from Khaldunian sociology into modern social science theories. "Applying Ibn Khaldun "will be of interest to students and scholars of sociology and social theory.

    456/1064), who is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant minds of Islamic Spain. Remembered mostly for his charming treatise on love, he was first and foremost a fierce polemicist who was much criticized for his idiosyncratic views and his abrasive language. Insisting that the sacred sources of Islam are to be understood in their outward sense and that it is only the Prophet Muhammad whose example may be followed, Ibn azm alienated himself from his peers. As a result, his books were burned and he was forced to withdraw from public life. Contributors are: Camilla Adang, Hassan Ansari, Samuel-Martin Behloul, Alfonso Carmona, Leigh Chipman, Maribel Fierro, Alejandro Garc a Sanju n, Livnat Holtzman, Samir Kaddouri, Joep Lameer, Christian Lange, Gabriel Martinez Gros, Luis Molina, Salvador Pe a, Jose Miguel Puerta Vilchez, Rafael Ram n Guerrero, Adam Sabra, Sabine Schmidtke, Delfina Serrano, Bruna Soravia, Dominique Urvoy, Kees Versteegh and David Wasserstein.

    

    A book delving into the significance of fasting and power to the individual and the muslims as a community, recognising that our ultimate power lies within our spiritual core - and fasting has a strategic significance in maintaining that core.

    That is because they do not study the only foundation of knowledge about the true nature of Islam—Mohammed and Allah. This self-study course is based on three of the Islamic source texts: the Koran, the Sira (biography of Mohammed) and the Hadith (his traditions). If your knowledge comes from these original texts, it can be verified and your understanding is on firm ground. Secrets RevealedThe Koran and all Islamic texts are difficult to read by design. But, when the artificial language is stripped away and replaced by simple English, the results are astounding. We learn that the Islamic ethical system is based on dualism—one set of rules for Muslims and another set of rules for non-Muslims (Kafirs). We find out that Mohammed was a slave trader, an abuser of women and a warlord. Islam as a religion was a failure. Only when Mohammed turned to jihad and politics, did he have any success. A Three Level Self-Study CourseThe self-study course covers fourteen different topics about Islam from three different views. Each level can be read on its own, but there is a progression of information. This course will end your confusion about Islam. You will understand what underlies the events in the Islamic world and what this means for our civilization.

    Sufi Light will take you on a spiritual journey in the ocean of oneness into the presence of the divine.Well acquainted with the world of differences, the author presents a manual for Sufi meditation that is laced with autobiographical accounts of his spiritual experiences. This volume offers not only a portrait of the development of a Sufi mind, but how that mind found refuge from the world of differences by meditation on the word of Allah.These pages instruct how to take awareness to its source and how to better understand the Sufis among us.

    Making use of his fluency in Greek, Syriac, and Arabic, he brought together historical sources from each language to comprise a single chronicle that charted world-changing events in the Near East from 590–750 CE, among them the Arab conquests, the rise to power of a Muslim Arab dynasty, and the last great war of antiquity, between Byzantium and Iran. Though no longer extant, Theophilus’s work is known from extensive citations by later historians, and Robert Hoyland has here collected and translated these citations to present the scope of the original text. Included are translations of four chronicles, several of which are being made available here for the first time to the English-language reader.

    Symbolically connecting the long poem to Qur’anic passages, hadiths, and other poems by Sufi masters, this enlightening reference answers the most tortuous of problems and guides one to comprehend the meaning of life. A rigorous translation of Rumi’s original work is also included.

    In this book, you will read about the discoveries we made during this process. These are our own personal observations, which may not be experienced by other people.A person will ascend to the realm of Reality as soon as he gives up his desires, or whenever he shows equanimity in the face of changing fortunes. He will then ascend to the level of a servant of Allah, and will become totally content…A human being could reach enlightenment simply by giving up all of his personal views and opinions. He can give up thinking about himself, and he can stop seeing the world according to his own personal reality. By doing these things, he can gradually annihilate himself in the sight of Allah.If we can succeed in bringing some inspiration from a different dimension to our readers, we will be very happy indeed. If, however, you find yourself opposed to our way of thinking, you had better forget about all we are saying and follow the path of the person who has brought you to Islam.You are holding in your hands a translation of one of the very first books written by the Master, Ahmed Hulusi. This concise and useful presentation of Ahmed Hulusi’s 1967 masterpiece is a very interesting one, especially for those who have a passionate interest in Sufism.

    The 2006 Danish cartoon crisis and the controversy surrounding Pope Benedict XVI's Regensburg speech have underscored theurgency of such issues as image-making, multiculturalism, freedom of expression, respect for religious symbols, and interfaith relations. The 1997 Runnymede Report defines Islamophobia as dread, hatred, and hostility towards Islam and Muslims perpetuated by a series of closed views that imply and attribute negative and derogatory stereotypes and beliefs to Muslims. Violating the basic principles of human rights civil liberties, andreligious freedom, Islamophobic acts take many different forms. In some cases, mosques, Islamic centers, and Muslim properties are attacked and desecrated. In the workplace, schools, and housing, it takes the form of suspicion, staring, hazing, mockery, rejection, stigmatizing and outrightdiscrimination. In public places, it occurs as indirect discrimination, hate speech, and denial of access to goods and services. This collection of essays takes a multidisciplinary approach to Islamophobia, bringing together the expertise and experience of Muslim, American, and European scholars. Analysis is combined with policy recommendations. Contributors discuss and evaluate good practices already in place and offer newmethods for dealing with discrimination, hatred, and racism.

    Even before the Quran began to be revealed to the Messenger of God, he had chosen his blessed master over his own parents. Likewise, he was one of the first to embrace faith immediately after the revelations began. Under the guidance of the Prophet, he became fully equipped to undertake various significant roles in the community and rose up to become a commander of the army. This book tells us the exemplary life story of this distinguished Companion, Zayd ibn Haritha who is a role model for everyone to realise their human potential.

    Some of these major issues are environmentalism and its claim of global warming; the danger from terrorism generated by Islamic fundamentalism; and affordable, quality health care. Additionally, education in America remains an unresolved dilemma contributing to America's lack of economic competitiveness.Andrew Bernstein argues that the US government is pushing the nation toward socialism in its attempt to resolve America's problems. The government's increasing control of the banking industry, its massive bailouts of auto makers, and its proposal of emissions legislation are also examples of the expansion of government's power. Bernstein argues that whatever the intentions of the government, or its illusions about the workability of its proposals, morally upright and practical solutions can only come from moving to the opposite end of the political-economic spectrum: the establishment of laissez-faire capitalism.In Atlas Shrugged, and in her non-fiction works, Ayn Rand developed a systematic body of thought, a comprehensive philosophy she dubbed "Objectivism." This philosophy has been neglected by most professional intellectuals, but it is now beginning to be seriously studied in academic philosophy departments. Objectivism provides the moral and philosophic validation of the political-economic principles of individual rights and free markets. Analysis of today's gravest social and political issues within this philosophic framework, as undertaken by Bernstein in this volume, constitutes a unique way of identifying rational solutions to these pressing issues.

    No other society has such a record of success in uniting, in an equality of status, of opportunity, and of endeavor, so many and so various races of humanity." (Whither Islam?)Such scholarly objectivity towards the tolerance which has historically characterized the Islamic tradition as a whole is in short supply these days. Through an insidious symbiosis of fanatical Muslims and prejudiced Islamophobes, the very opposite image of Islam has emerged as one of the most dangerous stereotypes of our times. The most cursory glance at history will not only reveal the falsity of this stereotype of an intolerant Islam, it will also reveal the little known fact that, not so long ago, it was the Islamic world that provided models of tolerant conduct for a fanatically intolerant Christian world tearing itself apart over dogmatic differences.The first part of this monograph examines the historical record of tolerance in the Islamic tradition, illustrating the expression of the principle of tolerance through the rule of such dynasties as the Ottomans, Mughals, Fatimids, and the Umayyads of Spain. In the second, the principle of tolerance is shown to be rooted in the spirit of the Qur'anic revelation and embodied in the exemplary conduct of the Prophet.

    ...wants to understand how Muslims think about God. ...fi nds formulaic approaches to witnessing inadequate. ...feels under equipped to share your faith with Muslims. -This small book is a goldmine of wisdom and experience gathered from Richard's many years of ministry. It invites us to break through simple stereotypes and invites us to think hard about what it is to understand and reach out to people who may be different from us in faith and culture. At the same time it encourages us to see that reaching out like this is not beyond any of us.- Greg Anderson, Head of Mission Department, Moore Theological College, Sydney. -Richard has provided a valuable service to those involved in outreach to Muslims. This book is a unique and insightful contribution to the fi eld. I thoroughly recommend it.- Bernie Power, Lecturer, Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths, Melbourne School of Theology. Richard Shumack has been involved in ministry among Muslim refugees in Melbourne for the last 12 years, and is completing a PhD thesis in contemporary Muslim philosophy at the University of Melbourne. He is currently a research fellow with the Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney, where he now lives with his wife Judy and their four boys.

    This book will enable readers to engage with the issues and come to conclusions that might help them be better social peacemakers and spiritual friends to Muslims for the sake of Jesus Christ.

    However, this book shows that the stories and ideas in the Koran could be found in the world around Mohammed. Indeed, one view of the Koran is that it is a picture of the religions in Arabia and Syria in the seventh century. Once you take out all of the material that came from the Jews, Christians, Sabaeans, Zoroastrians and Arabs, you have a very small Koran. Even the Islamic religious rituals were taken from the Arab customs of the day. The only original ideas found in the Koran are that Mohammed is the prophet of Allah and if you do not believe it jihad can be used to convince you. Everything else is derivative.

    Sworn by an oath of loyalty to Iran's Supreme Leader, the IRGC is the regime's Praetorian Guard, the custodian of its nuclear program, and now a juggernaut in Iran's economy. Since 1979, the Guards have played a key role in protecting the Revolution internally against domestic opposition while actively seeking to export it abroad. The IRGC has been at the forefront of repression every time ordinary Iranians have protested their lack of freedoms, including after the fraudulent presidential elections of June 2009. Iran's sponsorship of terrorism abroad is also executed through the IRGC's overseas operations' branch, the Qods Forces. In The Pasdaran: Inside Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Emanuele Ottolenghi offers a detailed overview of how the IRGC came into being, how the Guards rose to a position of prominence in Iran's current power structure, how they have penetrated Iran's economy, how they are working to help Iran attain nuclear weapons, and why they will likely play a key role in Iran for decades to come.

    With more than 400 alphabetically arranged entries written by an international team of specialists, the volume focuses on the origins and evolution of Islamic political ideas and related subjects, covering central terms, concepts, personalities, movements, places, and schools of thought across Islamic history. Fifteen major entries provide a synthetic treatment of key topics, such as Muhammad, jihad, authority, gender, culture, minorities, fundamentalism, and pluralism. Incorporating the latest scholarship, this is an indispensable resource for students, researchers, journalists, and anyone else seeking an informed perspective on the complex intersection of Islam and politics.Includes more than 400 concise, alphabetically arranged entriesFeatures 15 in-depth entries on key topicsCovers topics such as:Central themes and sources of Islamic political thought: caliph, modernity, knowledge, shari'a, government, revival and reformModern concepts, institutions, movements, and parties: civil society, Islamization, secularism, veil, Muslim BrotherhoodIslamic law and traditional Islamic societies: justice, taxation, fatwa, dissent, governance, piety and asceticism, trade and commerceSects, schools, regions, and dynasties: Mu'tazilis, Shi'ism, Quraysh, Mecca and Medina, Baghdad, Indonesia, Nigeria, Central Asia, OttomansThinkers, personalities, and statesmen: Mawardi, Shafi'I, Saladin, Tamerlane, Akbar, Atat�rk, Nasser, KhomeiniContains seven historical and contemporary maps of Muslim empires, postcolonial nation-states, populations, and settlementsGuides readers to further research through bibliographies, cross-references, and an index

    Tracing the evolution and transformation of the many stories and narratives about Ibn Saba as adapted by Sunn and Sh scholars alike, this work attempts for the first time to give a comprehensive account of the formation of the image of Ibn Saba as the quintessential heretic of Islam s early years. It also offers a new interpretation of the historical importance and beliefs of Ibn Saba and those early Sh a reviled as his followers, the Saba ya. The end result is a revolutionary, new portrait of Sh ite origins and early Islamic sectarianism.

    It is thus surprising that even after Hadīth scholars had sifted sound Hadīths from weak, mainstream Sunni Islam allowed the use of unreliable Hadīths as evidence in subjects considered outside of the core areas of law. This majority stance, however, did not displace minority schools of thought that saw the use of unreliable Hadīths as both a danger to social morality and contrary to the stated values of Islamic thought. This more stringent position has burgeoned in the early modern and modern periods, when eliminating the use of weak Hadīths has become a common call of both Salafi revivalists and Islamic modernists. This article explores and traces the history of the various Sunni schools of thought on the use of weak and forged …

    But after Jungian Psychology, Humanistic Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology, and Ken Wilber's Integral Psychology, the reader may wonder what remains to be said vis-a-vis psychology and the Spiritual Path. In the author's opinion, what remains is to present a psychology rooted in traditional metaphysics, one that he has termed "Principial Psychology." This psychology is not essentially new; elements of it are to be found in every traditional path; but it has rarely been so explicitly defined. Principial Psychology does have certain affinities with Transpersonal Psychology, and with Integral Psychology as well; all three emphasize the attainment of self-transcendence. The difference is that Transpersonal and Integral Psychology draw various elements from the faith traditions, while Principial Psychology requires that we actually follow one of them. Principial Psychology is based on the premise that the different "faculties" of the psyche that the Scholastic psychologists studied-thought, feeling, will, memory, imagination-as well as the various "archetypes" that Jung discovered but didn't entirely understand, identifiable in some ways with the levels of the human psychospiritual makeup in Sufi doctrine-are psychic reflections of timeless spiritual or metaphysical principles that exist in a world beyond the psychic dimension entirely. In terms of the human microcosm, these principles are the loom upon which the psyche is woven, and the body as well; in terms of the macrocosm, they are the eternal designs that underlie, and guide, the greater universe of which we are a part. From the point-of-view of this science, the whole spectrum of mental illnesses and psychological "complexes" can be seen as based on various wrong or inverted relationships between the faculties of the psyche-imbalances that are produced by, and further reinforce, the misperception and veiling of the archetypal Principles by the tyrannical and deluded ego. Principial Psychology recognizes the goal of human development not simply as the healing of mental illness or a balanced adjustment to social norms, but as the attainment of a state of "ideal normalcy" based on a complete conformation of the psyche to the principles from which it springs-in other words, on the "salvation of the soul." Just as mental health is inseparable from moral development, so self-knowledge is impossible without self-transcendence.

    Yet are these terms accurate, useful, or even relevant for understanding Iraq's society, history, and politics? The common Iraqi injunction that "we are all brothers" doesn't entirely hold against the sectarian civil war of 2006 and 2007. What role does sectarian identity truly play in Iraq, and how has this shaped our knowledge of the country?Providing the first comprehensive examination of Iraqi sectarian identity, Fanar Haddad examines the relationship between Shi'as and Sunnis and questions the role these distinctions play in Iraqi society. Rather than organize his subjects into categories, Haddad respects group identity and its inherent ambiguities, recognizing that the salience of sectarian identity and attitudes toward the self and other are not fixed. Instead, they belong to a fluctuating dynamic in which the relevance of sectarian identity changes in response to context and socioeconomic and political conditions. Investigating the forces that drive sectarian identity and its relationship to national identity, Haddad focuses on two crucial turning points in modern Iraqi history: the uprisings of 1991 and the fall of the Ba'ath in 2003. Reaching the core of what shapes sectarian identity over time, Haddad counters alarmist and reductionist accounts that portray Iraq in solely sectarian terms or dismiss the importance of sectarian identity altogether.

    The privilege of self-directed movement, the power to pick up and go as one pleases, has not been a traditional "right" of Iranian women. This prerogative has been denied them in the name of piety, anatomy, chastity, class, safety, and even beauty. It is only during the last 160 years that the spell has been broken and Iranian women have emerged as a moderating, modernizing force. Women writers have been at the forefront of this desegregating movement and renegotiation of boundaries.Words, Not Swords explores the legacy of sex segregation and its manifestations in Iranian literature and film and in notions of beauty and the erotics of passivity. Milani expands her argument beyond Iranian culture, arguing that freedom of movement is a theme that crosses frontiers and dissolves conventional distinctions of geography, history, and religion. She makes bold connections between veiling and foot binding, between Cinderella and Barbie, between the figures of the female Gypsy and the witch. In so doing, she challenges cultural hierarchies that divert attention from key issues in the control of women across the globe.

    Patience is considered to be half of faith and is necessary at all times in all situations according to al-Ghazzali. He explains how one can gain patience. In regard to the virtue of gratitude, he explores its opposite of ingratitude, the true nature of blessings, how knowledge is good and ignorance is evil and blessings and their various degrees. This is Book XXXII of Part Four of the Alchemy of Happiness entitled The Deliverers.

    Sad to say, it is now becoming a widespread phenomenon in many countries. The educated and the ignorant, veteran Muslims and reverts, the middle class as well as the elite are falling prey to the misleading ideas projected by the Hadith rejecters through books and other forms of publication. The Internet has, unfortunately, given them a new and effective platform.Emad Hamdeh has taken up the task of replying to these Hadith rejecters with sound and convincing arguments. The Necessity of the Hadith in Islam not only explains the need for the Hadith and the Sunnah at all times, but also presents and refutes the main arguments put forward by Hadith rejecters. Furthermore, Hamdeh has profiled the top few Hadith rejecters and summarized their ideas.This is a well-researched, well-referenced and comprehensive work, which provides useful information to those seeking more knowledge on the subject. It will also sufficiently answer many different questions which come to mind after reading some of the arguments of the Hadith rejecters. Muslims today need to read works such as these to ensure that they are not misled, especially through the Internet.

    The wave of protests that started this year in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and other countries have made it clear just how much the Middle East is searching for a new identity. Young designers in the region are playing a part in this movement by increasingly emancipating themselves creatively. In their work, they are charting their own compelling course between local visual convention and a modern international style. Arabesque 2 documents the potential of this current creative emancipation in the Arab world and Iran. The book features examples of recent innovative and groundbreaking design work that is inspired by the richness of the region's visual culture. Given the important role of calligraphy in the Middle East, Arabesque 2 focuses on typography. The book presents a wide range of Arabic fonts and typefaces inspired by traditional calligraphy. These are accompanied by a rich selection of applications. Select examples of design and graffiti serve as powerful demonstrations of how text can be used illustratively. This work is particularly relevant to those creating street art and poster design. Arabesque 2 also features graphic design, logos, Edited byial design, and illustration by young designers and activists from Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. Regardless of the location and nationality of their creators, all of the examples included in the book combine modern design with the traditional, letter-based canon of Arab forms in striking ways. The book's preface is written by John Martin, co-founder of Art Dubai. Additional texts and interviews describe the environments in which the featured designers and artists work. Edited bys Ben Wittner and Sascha Thoma round out Arabesque 2 with a CD-ROM that features four typefaces related to its themes.

    The existence of a world parallel to our own has always fascinated people. This world is commonly referred to as the spirit world, and almost every set of people have some concept of one. With some people, these spirits are no more then the souls of dead people or ghosts. With others, spirits are either the forces of good or the forces of evil; both battling against one another to gain influence over humanity. However, both of these explanations are more in tune with folk tales and fantasy. The JINN are beings living on earth in a world parallel to mankind. The Arabic word Jinn is derived from the verb 'JANNA', which means to hide or conceal. Thus, they are physically invisible from man as their description suggests. This invisibility is one of the reasons why some people have denied their existence.Through their powers of flying and invisibility, the JINNS are the chief component in occult activities. Therefore, Voodoo, Black magic, Witchcraft and Mediums can all be explained through the world of the JINNS. Likewise, so can the illusions and feats of magicians. Because the JINN can traverse huge distances over a matter of seconds, their value to magicians is great. In our day, some of the feats performed by magicians and entertainers are without doubt from the assistance of the JINN. It is a fact that the views relating to the spirit, which started out as ‘communicating with the spirits of the dead people’ or ‘communicating with life forms that do not have physical body’ has taken the form of ‘communicating with beings who live at so and so stars in the space’ and expanded quite rapidly. All of these assumptions are purely based on the ‘DECEPTIONS OF THE JINNS’In this book, you will be able to find some fascinating facts relating to the JINNS, SPIRITS and the origin of the MAN, which are all discovered by Master Ahmed Hulusi himself in a research to find the truth and the answers to these entire phenomenon.

    It offers advice from the Quran and Sunnah to the busy parent about a variety of issues from how create a child-friendly, Islamic home environment right through how to deal with a disruptive child.

    Some of these women were runaway slaves, others were deflowered outside of marriage, and still others were prostitutes. Kozma traces the effects of nineteenth-century developments such as the expansion of cities, the abolition of the slave trade, the formation of a new legal system, and the development of a new forensic medical expertise on these women who lived at the margins of society.Kozma makes use of extensive archival material to chronicle the everyday interactions of nonelite women at the police station and in the courts. From honor killings to child marriages to female slavery, Kozma presents an in-depth depiction of women’s experiences in Khedival Egypt. In an era when women and blacks were thought uneducable, Kozma shows that Egypt was training black women in what was then modern medicine. Known as hakimas, these female doctors played an important role in transforming how women were treated in the court system. Illustrating the ways in which the practices of the modern state gave rise to modern subjectivities, Kozma demonstrates how subaltern women experienced and helped shape nineteenth-century modernity.

    Islam is not a sect or an ethnic religion. In its view all religions is one, for the truth is one. It was the same religion preached by all the earlier prophets. It was the truth taught by all the inspired books.

    827 to the Norman conquest in A.D. 1070. It is first the detailed study in English covering the various aspects of this 243-year period. It incorporates new Arabic sources and draws upon archaeological studies that hitherto have not been used. The book covers the political, social, economic, demographic, and cultural impacts that during this period forever changed the islands character. All aspects of society underwent change, making Sicily part of the Arabo-Muslim world for more than two hundred years. The book also examines Sicilys relations with Muslim Spain, the Byzantine Empire, southern Italy, and North Africa. A History of Muslim Sicily brings to light a history of the island that rarely has been known outside Italy. It therefore is an important contribution to American and European scholarship, and it fills the gap in the general history of medieval Europe and the Middle East/North Africa.

    Books like these are a welcome fountain to quench the thirst in muslim children to know the truth about the Prophets and why Allah sent them.

    He went on to join the military, and it was during this time that he was given his first exposure to the Muslim way of life. When his questions about the Christian faith were left inadequately answered, and with the help of his elder brother who had recently converted to Islam, Ondigo’s search for the truth led him towards Islam. My Journey from Christianity to Islam is an autobiographical work, charting this faith journey with some reflections that Ondigo made along the way concerning both religions. He discusses discrepancies in the Christian faith, particularly those with regards to the position of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him). He also touches on some of the uplifting discoveries he made about the Islamic faith and how it calls Muslims to live their daily lives. This story follows the increasing trend in modern times of people coming to Islam and also provides insight for those interested in comparative religion.

    ‎Between your hands is the most heinous crime and humanitarian massacre in the history ‎of mankind! We seek your fair judgment in this unprecedented and unparalleled tragedy. ‎‎‎ All of the irrefutable facts, evidences, and the chief criminals are inside this book waiting for ‎your final verdict. This case belongs to you dear fellow human because it was a serious violation ‎to your dignity, your reputation, and your honor regardless of your religion or faith. ‎ Justice knows no time, so read and raise your voice with a firm resolution to gain back your ‎pride and respect as a human being. The innocent victims in this major tragedy are calling upon ‎you and waiting for your justice! Without hesitation, please answer their urgent call as soon as ‎possible!!

    Through the methodologies of media anthropology, cultural studies, and communication studies, this book brings together more than thirteen years of research on three significant historical media events in order to show the drastic changes and emerging fissures in Danish society and to expose the politicization of Danish news journalism, which has consequences for the political representation and everyday lives of ethnic minorities in Denmark.