A chance to win not only the love of Allah, but the love of her father—something she had never been able to earn. Esther took a deep breath and raised her hand in the air. At the age of eighteen, she had just volunteered to become a suicide bomber.Defying Jihad is the true story of a girl growing up under radical Islamic rule, trained to believe her ultimate purpose was to serve Allah by dying as a jihadist. But two nights before she was to leave forever, she had a dream . . . one that would change the course of her destiny.Against all odds, Esther became a follower of Jesus—even though leaving Islam meant her death sentence. But rather than kill her immediately, Esther’s furious father challenged her to a series of public debates with Muslim scholars: the Bible versus the Quran. If Esther won, she might yet survive. But if the Muslim clerics won, Esther must renounce her Christian faith. For an entire month—if she lived that long—Esther would be brought before the mob daily to defend her newfound faith. Would God give her the words to argue against Muslim leaders, former friends, and even her own family?Defying Jihad is an amazing story of a woman prepared to surrender all for Jesus—and whose life transformed from terror to overwhelming love.

    Shaykh Omar Suleiman provides us with thirty short prayers taken from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the early generations, each with a short reminder to deepen the impact of the prayer in our lives.Prayers of the Pious provides spiritual gems that serve as valuable wisdom and practical advice for the soul. By reading this short work with an attentive heart, the reader can cultivate love for God and His Messenger and live life with gratitude and contentment.

    Yet public debate about the faith is polarized—one camp praises "the religion of peace" while the other claims all Muslims are terrorists. Canadian human rights activist Yasmine Mohammed believes both sides are dangerously wrong.In Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam, Yasmine speaks her truth as a woman born in the Western world yet raised in a fundamentalist Islamic home. Despite being a first-generation Canadian, she never felt at home in the West. And even though she attended Islamic schools and wore the hijab since age nine, Yasmine never fit in with her Muslim family either. With one foot in each world, Yasmine is far enough removed from both to see them objectively, yet close enough to see them honestly.Part Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel, part The Handmaid's Tale, Yasmine's memoir takes readers into a world few Westerners are privy to. As a college educator for over fifteen years, Yasmine's goal is to unveil the truth. Is FGM Islamic or cultural? Is the hijab forced or a choice? Is ISIS a representation of "true" Islam or a radical corruption? And why is there so much conflicting information? Like most insular communities, the Islamic world has both an "outside voice" and an "inside voice." It's all but impossible for bystanders to get a straight answer.Without telling anyone what to believe, Unveiled navigates the rhetoric and guides truth-seekers through media narratives, political correctness, and outright lies while encouraging readers to come to their own conclusions.

    This book is designed to serve as a source of hope and strength for those going through difficult times, while providing numerous important pieces of knowledge and guidance for all readers and all times.

    Now in 2019, Ustaz Mizi Wahid has collaborated IMAN Publication to revise the contents and produce an updated version of this book with the title renamed to Call Upon Him : 21 Steps To Strengthen Our Trust In AllahThis book is not merely a compilation of supplications taken from the Quran and the Sunnah. It is a book written with the sole intention to inspire Muslims to have unquestionable faith in the Most Generous Lord, Allah s.w.t. through the supplications they make to Him.There are plenty of books out there this present day which compiles a list of supplications; long and short, along with its meanings for their readers to choose from. Thus, this book hopes to deliver differently, in the area of encouragement and support for those who have been knocking on heaven’s doors but have yet to get a response or have been disappointed with the answers they have received so far. In this book, tips are written on the recommended times and methods, encouragement is given to stay in faith throughout the long wait and selected supplications are written to keep us connected to Allah s.w.t. through constant remembrance and prayer.

    In English, repentance is a forbidding word that suggests a puritanical finality. But in Arabic the term 'tawba' is dynamic, meaning to 'turn' or 'return'. 'At-Tawwab' is one of the Names of God, the Oft-Returning or Ever-Relenting. It is an active constant, an ongoing, compassionate reality that renews every moment we are alive. The process of purification is a process of continuous turning. In 'Hearts Turn' Michael Sugich, author of 'Signs on the Horizons', tells stories that are harrowing and hilarious, heartrending and bizarre, profane and transcendent, and altogether full of hope, showing how men and women from many parts of the world and many walks of life have turned themselves around and taken a fork in the road toward a higher reality. "This book is a declaration of mercy and certainty. Formed of a collection of stories I've experienced, read or heard, about how malleable the human heart can be and how wrongdoing, remorse, need, and yearning intersect with Divine Compassion, Forgiveness and Guidance. It is also about the sudden transitions from confusion to clarity, from sin to virtue, from sleep to wakefulness, from ignorance to knowledge, from foolishness to wisdom. And finally it is about the path of our lives, which leads us gradually, and for those who God favors, inexorably to salvation." From the introduction to 'Hearts Turn'"Magnificent!...Interlacing ancient and modern experiences of the unexpected presence of God, this unique anthology of conversion stories reminds us of the ongoing spiritual power of Islamic faith." Dr. Timothy Winter (Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad) Dean of Cambridge Muslim College"Michael Sugich is a master storyteller as he demonstrated in 'Signs on the Horizons'. 'Hearts Turn' is a brilliantly written reminder that God's Mercy is always open to each of us, no matter our position in life. This book has the power to leave the reader wanting to turn to God and to His Mercy. I loved this book." Sami Yusuf Singer, Composer, Humanitarian"A really heartwarming book...for a generation of young Muslims and converts who face inner doubts and in need of a few smart lessons from Michael's journeybook, told through many voices and his own unique spiritual history. It is a relief to know I am not alone." Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)

    Written as reflections on the author's travels meeting the seekers of God, these essays are meant to be make readers pause and think about their own journeys, their relationship with the One who has created them, and the path that lies ahead.

    With the Heart in Mind asks readers to consider an alternative understanding of intelligence in which the primary function of the intellect is to know God and lead others to Him as well.

    For the singles who are searching of love, how do you know if you are ready to commit yourself to a relationship.For those who are in a relationship, is there a method to make the romantic relationship last?Is love a matter of the heart and emotions, or can love be managed in a logical and practical manner?**In Unbreakable, Aiman Azlan encourages us to change our perspective when it comes to love and relationship — that it is not something you fall into but something that you need to prepare and work for.Not only does this book provides practical steps towards managing love, but it also guides readers on how to embrace and navigate the emotional aspect of interhuman relationship."You will never be ready to be in a committed relationship, but you can always be prepared."

    We know that true happiness is the happiness of the heart. How can we find happiness after despair? Then now, how to build happiness?

    It isn't because God is angry with you. It isn't because you're weak, not grateful enough or not religious enough"Human being generally are very educated on how to treat a broken leg. We are very educated on how to treat a gunshot wound. But we are not very educated on how to treat a broken heart.Emotional trauma is something that as a human race, we are handicapped in. We do not teach, we do not have tools, and beyond that, we are not very supportive of the healing process that is necessary for healing a broken heart.When you get a wound or when you get hurt by something, how do you get yourself treated? What or who helps you in the healing process?

    Nor was Western colonialism the cause: Muslims had already suffered political and socio-economic problems when colonization began. Kuru argues that Muslims had influential thinkers and merchants in their early history, when religious orthodoxy and military rule were prevalent in Europe. However, in the eleventh century, an alliance between orthodox Islamic scholars (the ulema) and military states began to emerge. This alliance gradually hindered intellectual and economic creativity by marginalizing intellectual and bourgeois classes in the Muslim world. This important study links its historical explanation to contemporary politics by showing that, to this day, the ulema-state alliance still prevents creativity and competition in Muslim countries.===TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionPart I. Present:1. Violence and Peace2. Authoritarianism and Democracy3. Socio-Economic Underdevelopment and DevelopmentPart II. History:4. Progress: Scholars and Merchants (Seventh to Eleventh Centuries)5. Crisis: The Invaders (Twelfth to Fourteenth Centuries)6. Power: Three Muslim Empires (Fifteenth to Seventeenth Centuries)7. Collapse: Western Colonialism and Muslim Reformists (Eighteenth to Nineteenth Centuries)Conclusion===ENDORSEMENTS'In these pages can be found a grand solution to a grand problem - nothing less than The Islam Question, that is, why one religion is prone to violence, authoritarianism, and economic underdevelopment. Kuru sets out to refute the two most publicly prominent positions on this question, essentialism and post-colonialism, by unearthing centuries of political and economic development in Islam and discovering that its contemporary problems result from shifts in religious and political authority of many centuries past. In this courageous and compelling piece of scholarship, Kuru does for religion what great historical sociologists like Barrington Moore and Theda Skocpol did for democracy, dictatorship, and social revolution.' Daniel Philpott, University of Notre Dame'Generations of thinkers have puzzled over why the Muslim world, once intellectually creative and commercially vibrant, fell behind economically and came to symbolize repressive governance. In this meticulously researched, insightful, and provocative book, Ahmet T. Kuru attributes these interlinked transformations to complex alliances between religious officials and states. "Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment" will captivate scholars in many disciplines, and also the broader public interested in Islam’s intellectual, political, and economic roles through the ages.' Timur Kuran, Duke University, North Carolina'In this far-ranging and original book, Ahmet T. Kuru explores just how it came to pass that the Muslim Middle East in the modern period experienced a dramatic decline in cultural and political dynamism relative to the societies of Western Europe. The question is one that has preoccupied comparative politics and historiography for more than a century. But no scholar has explored the issue with the sociological richness, comparative erudition, or depth of insight Kuru achieves in this book. This is one of the most important works in years on the politics and culture of Muslim modernity, and one that literally transforms the state of our knowledge.' Robert W. Hefner, Boston University

    Envy, greed and materialism invade our hearts and poison our relationships and lives. Racism, warfare and economic deprivation the symptoms of a greater spiritual weakness are destroying our world. What is the solution to all of these problems? We need a spiritual awakening, a healing of the hearts that can heal the world.We need to rediscover our iman. This book attempts to revive authentic Islamic spirituality based on the Quran and Sunnah by collecting and explaining forty hadiths of the diseases of the heart and the purification of the soul. It is a book of tazkiyah, a self-help book, and a project of changing your life and increasing your iman. In it, you will find practical advice on how to cleanse your heart and bring change into your life. If we fix our hearts, we can fix the rest of our lives.

    The author grapples with both medieval and contemporary interrogations of the argument with reference to Greek, Enlightenment and Medieval philosophers. It gives the reader an insight into some of the main areas of controversy (for example discussions of infinity and contingency) and attempts to make critical assessments throughout. The book concludes with the author’s understanding of the ‘strongest forms’ which attempt to postulate the most undercutting arguments for the existence of God.

    Dr. Michael Youssef, a Coptic Christian who was born in Egypt and now leads a megachurch in America, knows from firsthand experience that radical Islamists have goals that many American Christians believe are "unthinkable." In this book, he warns Western Christians that it doesn't help to ignore what's going on. There's a third jihad underway, and its goal is to take over the West.The Third Jihad is a call for Christians to defend their families, protect their nation, and boldly share the good news of Jesus with their communities--especially their Muslim neighbors.Packed with surprising insights from history, compelling and dramatic stories, and a practical agenda that one person--or one church--can immediately put into practice to make a difference in the world. Rich in encouraging biblical principles and prophetic insights, The Third Jihad leads the reader to an empowering conclusion in our troubling (and even frightening) times.Michael Youssef's insights will inspire Christians to take their faith seriously, share their faith freely, and to truly be salt and light in a world of increasing darkness and decay.

    

    As a former member of the Dutch Parliament and a representative of the Party for Freedom, he submitted numerous bills related to Islam, such as those calling for the closing of mosques, for removing the Quran from parliament and for banning Islam from the Netherlands.In order to reinforce these thoughts and opinions, he — as a Christian — began to write a book critical of Islam. During the process of writing, however, he found an increasing number of matters that challenged his views of Islam. In this book, Joram describes his personal and theological journey and the development he has undergone.During this journey, questions arose such as: does God even exist? Is the God of the Quran the same as the God of the Bible? Does Islam teach people to hate disbelievers and oppress women? How did Joram’s negative view of Islam develop? What emotional and social struggles did he have to face? And where has this journey eventually led him?A must read for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

    This is a truly unique publication that will take you on a journey through history, putting the claims of the most popular prophets, oracles, and soothsayers to the test by scrutinising their predictions. You will see that there is one very special individual who stands out above all others when it comes to knowledge of the unseen. His ancient prophecies not only impact every human being alive today, but they also map out the major world-changing events on the horizon.

    Americans confront this crisis of authority when they erect statues of Founding Fathers who slept with their slaves. And Muslims faced it when ISIS revived sex-slavery, justifying it with verses from the Quran and the practice of Muhammad. Exploring the moral and ultimately theological problem of slavery, Jonathan A.C. Brown traces how the Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions have tried to reconcile modern moral certainties with the infallibility of God’s message. He lays out how Islam viewed slavery in theory, and the reality of how it was practiced across Islamic civilization. Finally, Brown carefully examines arguments put forward by Muslims for the abolition of slavery.

    The pilgrimage culture on the island of Java in Indonesia - the world's largest Muslim country - is a rebuke to the conservative orthodoxy that has been gaining ground in Indonesia's religious landscape since the 1980s. In the rhetoric of this orthodoxy the "real" Islam is pure and exclusive. Piety comes from obedience to religious authority and its rules. Local pilgrimage is anything but pure and exclusive or rigidly authoritarian. It is powerfully Islamic but it fuses Islam with local history, the ancient power of place and a pastiche of devotional practices with roots deep in the pre-Islamic past. Quietly but tenaciously - just outside the great echo chamber of public space - it is growing as fast as the higher profile neo-orthodoxy. Bandit Saints of Java delves deep under the surface of modern Indonesia, exploring personalities and stories in the weird world of local pilgrimage, where Middle Eastern Islam wrestles with the ancient power of Javanese civilisation. It paints an astonishing portrait of Islam as it is practised today - largely invisible to journalists, scholars and tourists - by many of Java's 130 million people.

    The frankest thoughts and confessions, unknown facts from his life and sports career, difficulties and obstacles to reaching the top of global MMA - all that you will learn directly from Habib by reading this book.

    Muhammad: Forty Introductions offers a distinct and nuanced take on the life and teachings of Muhammad the prophet, using a traditional genre of Islamic literature called the “forty hadiths“ collection.Hadiths are the reported sayings and actions of Muhammad that have been collected by the tens of thousands throughout Islamic history. There is a tradition in which Muslim scholars take from this vast textual ocean to compile their own smaller collections of forty hadiths, an act of curation that allows them to present their particular understanding of Muhammad’s legacy and the essential points of Islam. Here, Michael Muhammad Knight provides forty windows into the diverse ways in which Muslims envision Muhammad. He also examines his own relationship to Muslim traditions while exploring such topics as law, mysticism, sectarianism, gender, and sexuality. By revealing the Prophet to be an ongoing construction, he carefully unravels notions about Islam’s center and margins.

    

    Obviously, one short book can hardly address all these problems and suggest solutions without certain simplifications and potentially controversial assertions. Nevertheless, it can hope to present a systematic analysis and suggested prognosis based on a coherent philosophy. As indicated above, nothing is more needed in our times, and second to spiritual weakening, the greatest problem of all facing the Islamic World (and indeed the whole world) is lack of understanding of the true natures and essences of things.This book examines ‘our times’ from an Islamic philosophical world view, looking at the problems facing the Islamic World in the near past, present and future respectively in three mutually complementary parts. At the end of each part, it suggests holistic and easily applied remedies to the problems it examines. In other words (and for those who enjoy sonorous German and Greek philosophical terms) it examines the Zeitgeist from the Weltanschauung of Islam and suggests panaceas.Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad has written a number of books and guides for thinking people, and this small but potent work before you sums up many of his most keen and cogent insights and conclusions; for that reason, this may be his most impactful and motivational work to date.

    In Covered Glory, you will meet Muslim women living in a culture with an honor-shame worldview that perpetuates their shame. As you discover how these women find freedom when they uncover their true identity, you will find that shame affects each one of us. Learn that while… shame tells us we are unworthy, truth tells us we were made to be lovedshame tells us we are nobody, Jesus tells us, “You are somebody to me”shame tells us we are broken, God’s Word tells us healing comes from himWhen you are able to look past your differences and realize your challenges and dreams are the same as your Muslim neighbor—and so is your need for a Savior—you will be able to share the love of Jesus more openly and authentically than ever before.

    The central question the book addresses is how did a pious Muslim boy born in a tiny and remote Turkish village come to inspire a global movement of millions of individuals dedicated to literacy, social enterprise, and interreligious dialogue? A related question follows immediately: how did Fethullah G�len, that pious Muslim boy who became a global religious leader, also motivate animosity that has led him to be jailed repeatedly, to be monitored by police and intelligence agencies, and (most recently) to be slandered as a "terrorist?"

    These are two of the five books that deal with the inner dimensions of Islamic worship; books 3, 4, and 7 address purification, prayer, and pilgrimage, respectively. In book 5 al-Ghazali begins with a discussion of the various kinds of zakat and the conditions under which they become obligatory. He explains the manners related to zakat and its inward and outward conditions. He then discusses the recipients of zakat, who qualifies for it and in what circumstances, and the manners related to receiving it. Finally, al-Ghazali explains charity and its virtues. In book 6 al-Ghazali begins with the outward obligations and sunna elements of fasting, and what is required if the fast is broken. He explains the mysteries of fasting and its inner conditions. Finally, he discusses the voluntary fasts and their order in supererogatory worship. This readable yet comprehensive work covers an array of issues from the essential outward aspects of charity, to the inward aspects of the state of the heart during the fast and how to humble oneself completely. As a practical, yet profound book, it is an indispensable guide for Muslims who seek a deeper comprehension of these two fundamental practices for Muslims, and for all those interested in understanding the meaning and role of charity and fasting in Islam.

    The West grew up under the shadow of Islam, and then after the Renaissance, in a dramatic reversal of roles, the West became world conquerors and subdued all other cultures and civilisations, including Islam. This transformation ushered in the modern world, a world unlike any that had existed before. All nations are now judged according to their scientific progress, technological development and economic growth. And yet, humanity is now experiencing multiple crises that are threatening our very existence. Population explosion, financial, social and political instability, the alarming growth of mental illness, the threat of nuclear annihilation and climate change all loom over humanity like a dark cloud. Simultaneously, the world is witnessing a dangerous escalation in the polarisation between Islam and the West. In this thought-provoking book, we are invited to view the crises we are facing and the tangled relationship between Islam and the West through a different lens. Keeler proposes that the true yardstick for measuring success should be the balance achieved between the spiritual, social and material needs of humanity; a balance which makes it possible to live in harmony with nature. When the world is viewed from this perspective, a completely different picture of Islam and the West emerges.

    the same issue—minus the churches a contentious one in India, with both the history curriculum and the Allotment of authority over education being much discussed. Other themes partly overlap with and partly differ from those in the culture Wars in the US, where the term has gained currency to designate the debate between modern and religious world views. Specific to India are the debates about the definition of Hinduism and secularism, and the antagonisms within both. In a country where religion is inextricably woven into the social fabric, and multiple stratifications exist, ‘culture’ becomes a pervasive reality in every sphere of life. In this context, culture Wars assume a significance of great consequence—both immediate and far reaching. In Hindu dharma and the culture Wars, Koenraad Elst broaches a discussion on Hindu ideology, Hindu TV a and the Indian National identity, hoping to take this uniquely National conversation forward.

    Spreading violence, disregarding national borders, and rejecting secular norms, so-called jihadists seem opposed to universalism itself. In a radical departure from conventional wisdom on the topic, The Universal Enemy argues that transnational jihadists are engaged in their own form of universalism: these fighters struggle to realize an Islamist vision directed at all of humanity, transcending racial and cultural difference.Anthropologist and attorney Darryl Li reconceptualizes jihad as armed transnational solidarity under conditions of American empire, revisiting a pivotal moment after the Cold War when ethnic cleansing in the Balkans dominated global headlines. Muslim volunteers came from distant lands to fight in Bosnia-Herzegovina alongside their co-religionists, offering themselves as an alternative to the US-led international community. Li highlights the parallels and overlaps between transnational jihads and other universalisms such as the War on Terror, United Nations peacekeeping, and socialist Non-Alignment. Developed from more than a decade of research with former fighters in a half-dozen countries, The Universal Enemy explores the relationship between jihad and American empire to shed critical light on both.

    But when an impoverished servant girl she barely knows comes and begs her to bring some justice to the death of a local boy, she is forced to face the suffering of the most vulnerable in Baghdad and the emotional and mystical legacy of her mother, a famed ecstatic whose love for God eclipsed everything. The Lover is a historically sensitive mystery that introduces us to the world of medieval Baghdad and the lives of the great Sufi mystics, washerwomen, Hadith scholars, tavern owners, slaves, corpsewashers, police, and children indentured to serve in the homes of the wealthy. It asks what it means to have family when you have nearly no one left, what it takes to love and be loved by those who have stuck by you, and how one can come to love God and everything He’s done to you.PRAISE FOR THE LOVERThe Lover #1 Amazon Bestseller “Completely engrossing and richly atmospheric. Tenth century Baghdad comes alive through the eyes of a dazzling cast of characters.”— Ausma Zehanat Khan, acclaimed author of The Getty-Khattak Mysteries“Dust and cool water; ascetism and the bonds of love. In 10th century Baghdad, Zaytuna is torn between the mysticism of Sufi practice and her need for connection to the world – and the reality of survival day to day. When a child dies in a fall, she must try to understand why, bringing her into conflict with both powerful people and her own brother, and challenging, too, her own understanding of herself and her faith.”— Marian Thorpe, Author of the Award Winning Empire's Legacy Series“Too often, narratives of women in Islam are told from the vantage point of the privileged, the women of the wealthy classes … this novel turns that narrative on its head.”— Safiyyah Surtee, AltMuslimahDr. Laury Silvers debut novel transports the reader to 10th century Baghdad, during the city's golden age when it was one of the largest and most diverse cities in the world. Her exquisite descriptions of the city and erudite knowledge of its historical denizens render real the people of Baghdad to the reader, whether pious mystics, cynical wine merchants, or frontier soldiers turned detectives. It's a great mystery and its faithful portrayal of Baghdad makes it a compelling read for anyone interested in the history of Islam and the Medieval Middle East.--Sherwan Hindreen Ali, a native Baghdadi and graduate student in the Institute for Islamic Studies, McGill UniversityThis is a novel that will both entertain readers and educate them about a wide range of subjects relating to intellectual, social and cultural history of the period in which it is set. It successfully weaves together fiction with meticulous historical research. --Michael Mumisa, Cambridge Special Livingstone Scholar With an informed, historical view of the spiritual atmosphere in medieval Baghdad, Laury Silvers has written an exciting mystery in lucid, gripping prose, bringing to life complex individuals of the past, moral agents both layered and conflicted. --Cyrus Ali Zargar, Al-Ghazali Distinguished Professor, UCF and Author of The Polished Mirror

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

    Second-wave feminism primarily defined women as being a subject of systemic exploitation through ‘the patriarchy’. Third/fourth wave approaches are more complicated. Many ideas have become noticeable in the literature which make this the case. The idea of intersectionality is of particular importance as it redefines what a ‘woman’ is in the first place. Post-structuralism further confuses the picture as it makes feminist ‘prescription’ more difficult. This book outlines some of the philosophical consequences of taking third/fourth wave ideas to their logical end point. In particular the book argues that a true intersectional approach would result in the philosophical self-implosion of feminism.

    The Qur’an refers to a wealth of human experience, seeking to enrich our lives on earth before our eventual return to our Maker, the Most High.Although it is impossible to articulate a translation that establishes clearing the majestic nature of the Qur’an in any language of the world, nevertheless, Muslims need to become more familiar with the overall coherence of its message in their native language.The aim of this work before you is to highlight key themes and messages of the Qur’an that will be recited throughout our lives so those who are not able to understand the Arabic reading can feel a connection with what will they hear and recite by reading this summation.

    In the traditional world, these people of purity, knowledge and illumination have been the role models, benchmarks and exemplars of what it is to be human. The goal of this spiritual tradition is nothing less than direct experience or ma’arifa (gnosis) of God’s presence. The fulfillment and embodiment of this tradition is the Friend or Intimate of God. This lengthy search has finally culminated in the publication entitled Meetings with Mountains, Encounters with the Saints and Sages of the Islamic World.

    It is a work driven by what I intend to be a sound and powerful Message. This message invites readers to think freely and broaden their minds; to contemplate and seek their own truth. This passage advises people, never to blindly follow any religion without first reflecting upon the faith in question and reasoning its true meaning. Beyond all manner of faith and feeling, one must use their intellect to discover the truth behind all faiths. This passage is intended to draw and empower the sincere seeker of truth; the one that questions, reflects and ponders his or her life’s purpose and questions his/her future and direction. Islam, for example, is one faith that is misunderstood and misrepresented by many. Before one forms an opinion of Islam, one should question the thoroughness and truthfulness of his or her existing knowledge of this controversial religion. This book seeks to connect people to the best Book that ever existed; the Holy Quran. A Divine Book designed to Guide humanity and lead them to a better life in this world and the hereafter. The Holy Quran is a unique Book that transforms the way one thinks, feels, and lives. Islam and the Holy Quran changes people from within and makes them better people. The goal is to help people find the Wisdom, Inspiration, and Beauty in Islam and The Holy Quran. Many people are not adequately educated about Allah's words, Wisdom, Advise, and develop a feeling and assumption that God is a harsh, stern, cruel, demanding God who commands people to respect Him, worship Him, and obey Him fully, and is not loving and kind to His creation. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is All-Loving; All-Merciful. Islam is far more than just a set of rules and regulations. This book aims to help people realize that Islam is full of wisdom, love, and mercy to all. The ultimate purpose of this message is to facilitate a fresh new dimension of thinking that will enable one to realize the ultimate importance of his or her existence in this universe; to help one understand his/her divine relationship with his/her creator. The faith of Islam is beneficial only to people that are sincere in seeking guidance, misguiding those who are not sincere and honest in their spiritual quests; who reject divine guidance and spiritual truth. Before you proceed, please ask yourself, ‘What is my intention in reading this book?’ Topics of this Book Include: Introduction to the Religion of Islam God (Allah) Holy Quran God’s Messengers & Prophets Past Nations Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him Muslims & Non-Muslims Purpose of Life/ Why Were We Created Hadith & Sunnah Articles of Faith in Islam Oneness of God (Monotheism) Angels According to Islam God’s Scriptures Belief in The Messengers & Prophets of God Last Day, Resurrection, & Judgement Day Five Pillars of Islam Declaration/ Testimony of Faith in Islam Ritualized Prayers in Islam (Salah/ Namaz) Zakat/ Sadaqah (Giving Alms to the Poor & Needy) Fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca) Shirk in Islam (Polytheism) Jihad in Islam (Holy War or Struggle?) Hellfire According to Islam Jannah (Paradise) according to Islam Jesus Christ (Messiah) in Islam Hijab Headscarf Veil & Muslim Women in Islam Conv

    

    Throughout its history, debate was based on three academic disciplines: Linguistics, Archeology and Textual/ Inscriptional data. However, the weight of the evidence in these three fields is now increasingly confirms the rival theory, the OIT or “Out Of India theory” which sees India as the original homeland of these languages. So the proponents of the AIT have recently abandoned these three fields and have started falling back on a totally new field of study: Genetics The spokesperson for the AIT since the last few years is one Tony Joseph, through his articles in The Hindu. Tony Joseph has now written a full-fledged volume titled – “Early Indians” (262 pp), published by Juggernaut books, New Delhi 2018. Since the book is the subject of a full-fledged systemic and intense media campaign, this present work analyses the whole “genetic” case for the AIT as per this book by Tony Joseph and demonstrates how Genetics is irrelevant to the problem of the ancient history of Indo-European languages. The writer, Shrikant G. Talageri, is the foremost proponent of the OIT or “Out Of India theory” through his many articles and blogs on the subject, primarily his three published books on the subject: The Aryan Invasion Theory and Indian Nationalism(1993), Rigveda - A Historical Analysis(2000), and The Rigveda And The Avesta - The Final Evidence(2008).

    But as all our lives become increasingly entwined with our online presence, British Muslims are taking to social media to carve their own narratives and tell their own stories, challenging stereotypes along the way. Follow Me, Akhi explores how young Muslims in Britain are using the internet to determine their own religious identity, both within their communities and as part of the country they live in. Entering a world of Muslim dating apps, social media influencers, online preachers, and LGBTQ and ex-Muslim groups, journalist Hussein Kesvani explores how British Islam has evolved into a multi-dimensional cultural identity that goes well beyond the confines of the mosque. He shows how a new generation of Muslims who have grown up in the internet age use blogs, vlogging, and tweets to define their religion on their terms—something that could change the course of 'British Islam' forever.

    

    it reflecting this great scholar thinking, his views, and approach to spirituality.

    But in Poppies, Politics, and Power, James Tharin Bradford rebalances the discourse, showing that it is not the past forty years of lawlessness that makes the opium industry what it is, but the sheer breadth of the twentieth-century Afghanistan experience. Rather than byproducts of a failed contemporary system, argues Bradford, drugs, especially opium, were critical components in the formation and failure of the Afghan state.In this history of drugs and drug control in Afghanistan, Bradford shows us how the country moved from licit supply of the global opium trade to one of the major suppliers of hashish and opium through changes in drug control policy shaped largely by the outside force of the United States. Poppies, Politics, and Power breaks the conventional modes of national histories that fail to fully encapsulate the global nature of the drug trade. By providing a global history of opium within the borders of Afghanistan, Bradford demonstrates that the country's drug trade and the government's position on that trade were shaped by the global illegal market and international efforts to suppress it. By weaving together this global history of the drug trade and drug policy with the formation of the Afghan state and issues within Afghan political culture, Bradford completely recasts the current Afghan, and global, drug trade.

    In Islam's Holy book, The Quran, Allah has revealed His 99 names or attributes. Prophet Muhammad SAW said, “Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise.” This book is an humble effort to list the names of Allah along with their meanings.

    A system that empowers us to live the ‘highest’ and ‘best’ version of our earthly existences on this planet in the most efficient, beneficial and timely way possible. And since the currency of time on earth is limited, Islam places a strong emphasis on how we can best utilize it. This book evaluates 15 powerful Productivity principles and lessons derived from the life of ʿUmar bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, commonly known as ʿUmar II, the 8th Umayyad Caliph. Born in Medina in 682, he was the matrilineal great-grandson of Islam’s 2nd Caliph ʿUmar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb. His immensely transformational rule as Caliph lasted from 717 until his death in 720. Despite his short reign, ʿUmar II accomplished major milestones and brought about lasting change in the entire Muslim world through his robust manner of governance. He made solid reforms in provincial administration, military strategy, education, taxation, fair dispensation of charity, and public works. His rule saw developments for construction of canals, roads, rest houses for travelers and medical dispensaries while expanding special programs for orphans and the destitute. One of his biggest accolades included ordering the first official collection of the Prophetic Hadiths in order to preserve them in a diligent and systematized manner so they do not get lost. What You’ll Achieve: In this book, we dive deep into identifying, understanding and applying the Productivity gems of Umar II that lead him to govern the Islamic State with great ability and progress until his passing at the young age of just 37. Penned by Shaykh Ismail Kamdar with a foreword from Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, the book is a culmination of restless research, immense hard work, and unwavering passion. Within its inspiring pages you’ll find proven and timeless ‘practical’ lessons on Productivity that blends principles of modern Self-Development with accolades from the magnificence of Islamic history. A glorious history many of us have long forgotten in the noise of the digital contemporary world today. Through the magnifying glass of ʿUmar II’s life and legacy of successful governance as Caliph, this book will empower you to achieve the most optimal, efficient and productive version of yourself. A version you can be truly proud of; benefiting those around you, while leaving a lasting legacy of your own for your family and the world - even when you’re gone! Dr. Yasir Qadhi – a globally renowned Islamic Scholar, TV personality and highly revered theologian, lecturer and educator on Islam, says this about the book: “Through a deep analysis of ʿUmar life, the author Shaykh Ismail Kamdar brings to light various life-changing principles that ʿUmar implemented.

    

    This is the history of what was attempted, why those failures were inevitable, and what must be done instead.Every new American President has a plan to bring about peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and every one fails. Every “peace process” has failed in its primary objective: to establish a stable and lasting accord between the two parties, such that they can live together side-by-side in friendship rather than enmity. But why? And what can be done instead? While this failure is a consistent pattern stretching back decades, there is virtually no public discussion or even basic understanding of the primary reason for this failure. The Palestinian Delusion is unique in situating the Israeli/Palestinian conflict within the context of the global jihad that has found renewed impetus in the latter portion of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first. Briskly recounting the tumultuous history of the “peace process,” Robert Spencer demonstrates that the determination of diplomats, policymakers, and negotiators to ignore this aspect of the conflict has led the Israelis, the Palestinians, and the world down numerous blind alleys. This has often only exacerbated, rather than healed, this conflict.   The Palestinian Delusion  offers a general overview of the Zionist settlement of Palestine, the establishment of the State of Israel, and the Arab Muslim reaction to these events. It explores the dramatic and little-known history of the various peace efforts—showing how and why they invariably broke down or failed to be implemented fully. The Palestinian Delusion also provides shocking evidence from the Palestinian media, as well as statements from the Palestinian leadership, showing that negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians will never work. But there is still cause for hope. Spencer delineates a realistic, viable alternative to the endless and futile “peace process,” that shows how the Jewish State and the Palestinian Arabs can truly coexist in peace—without illusions or unrealistic expectations.

    Hosein was born in Trinidad, West Indes. He studied under the guidance of the distinguished scholar of Islam, Maulana Dr. Fadlur Rahman Ansari, at the Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies, Karachi, Pakistan. He is also a post-graduate of Philosophy from the Karachi University of West Indes, and a Post Graduate of International Relations from the University of the West Indes, Trinidad and the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva, Switzerland.

    Certainly a woman by this name was born in Basra, Iraq, in the eighth century, but her life remains recorded only in legends, stories, poems and hagiographies. The various depictions of her - as a deeply spiritual ascetic, an existentialist rebel and a romantic lover - seem impossible to reconcile, and yet Rabi‘a has transcended these narratives to become a global symbol of both Sufi and modern secular culture.In this groundbreaking study, Rkia Elaroui Cornell traces the development of these diverse narratives and provides a history of the iconic Rabi‘a's construction as a Sufi saint. Combining medieval and modern sources, including evidence never before examined, in novel ways, Rabi‘a From Narrative to Myth is the most significant work to emerge on this quintessential figure in Islam for more than seventy years.

    

    In his colossal riposte to the Muslim philosophers and rationalist theologians, the towering Ḥanbalī polymath rejects the call to prioritize reason over revelation in cases of alleged conflict, interrogating instead the very conception of rationality that classical Muslims had inherited from the Greeks. In its place, he endeavors to articulate a reconstituted “pure reason” that is both truly universal and in full harmony with authentic revelation. Based on a line-by-line reading of the entire Darʾ taʿāruḍ, El-Tobgui’s study carefully elucidates the “philosophy of Ibn Taymiyya” as it emerges from the multifaceted ontological, epistemological, and linguistic reforms that Ibn Taymiyya carries out in this pivotal work.

    * The selections include Supplications and Invocations by the Prophets and the Righteous. * These Invocations are unique in view of being concise and profound with additional benefits of being the blessed words of Quran.* These can be adapted to suit any occasion and compliment the Supplications and Adhkaar from the Sunnah perfectly.

    The author contextualizes Sufism within a larger sphere of spiritual transformation, making this book useful for anyone searching for a spiritual teacher, e.g., the responsibilities of a teacher and the qualities necessary for an aspirant. It is impressive to see how the Mujaddidi teachings have been transmitted faithfully from the founder-figure Ahmad Sirhindi (d. 1624) with skillful adaptation to the modern West. In the range of topics presented, seekers, students of Sufism, and scholars will find nuggets of wisdom distilled from Hazrat Azad Rasool's decades of experience working with hundreds of students from all over the world. The book also contains a useful appendix in which all of the shaykhs of each lineage, their dates and the places where they lived and taught going back to the seventh century are listed. (Shadhiliyyah, Chishtiyyah, Qadiriyyah, Naqshbandiyah and Mujaddidiyyah.)

    This book presents the route to happiness in a nutshell, drawing on Islamic teachings and the voices of "experts" both western and eastern. So sit back, relax, and read it from cover to cover, or dip into it a page or two at a time in between other activities in a busy life as a wife, mother, student, or worker. You are holding in your hands a treasure chest of reminders that will help you learn important lessons and set you on the path to happiness in this world and in the hereafter, insha'Allah

    From foods prepared in Sufi soup kitchens, to meals distributed by pious volunteers in slums, to almsgiving, these acts are ultimately about giving to God by giving to the poor. Surprisingly, many who practice such giving say that they do not care about the poor, instead framing their actions within a unique non-compassionate ethics of giving. At first, this form of giving may appear deeply selfish, but further consideration reveals that it avoids many of the problems associated with the idea of “charity.” Using the Egyptian uprising in 2011 and its call for social justice as a backdrop, this beautifully crafted ethnography suggests that “giving a man a fish” might ultimately be more revolutionary than “teaching a man to fish.”

    Unable to cope with the weight of the words revealed to him by Jibril ('alayhi sallam), he turned to his closest friend, the mother of all believers, for comfort and protection.The Prophet went out one morning in Medina wearing his cloak when he came upon Hasan. He wrapped him under it, then came Hussain and he wrapped him under it. Then came his daughter Fatima and he took her under it, then came Ali radi Allahu 'anhu and he also took him under it.One thousand three hundred and eighty-seven years have passed since our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) left us. Enwrap is the unfolding of our mantle. Enwrap is a request to our Mustafa to pull us in, to cloak and envelop us. Enwrap is an attempt to reflect our place on this caravan, Enwrap asks for hands to be clasped in supplication as the burden has become too weighty. For who is better to ask for intercession than our Mustafa, our al-Shafi (intercessor)!Enwrap is an ask from the an-Nur (The Light Personified), the as-Siraaj al-Muneer (The Lamp of Illuminated, the Incandescent) to consider the lamps we lit in his name, and to light once more the path for us.Enwrap, to seek mercy from the only one who provides mercy (‘Ar-Raheem’)Enwrap, to be bestowed from the only Bestower (‘Al-Wahaab’)Enwrap, to be interceded by the best of intercessors (‘al-Shafi’’)Enwrap, to be guided by the best of Guides (‘al-Hadi’)Enwrap, to have the door opened, by the Opener (‘al-Fatih’)

    . . [Makdisi] reminds us of the critical declarations of secularism which existed in the history of the Middle East."—Robert Fisk, The Independent  Today’s headlines paint the Middle East as a collection of war-torn countries and extremist groups consumed by sectarian rage. Ussama Makdisi’s Age of Coexistence reveals a hidden and hopeful story that counters this clichéd portrayal. It shows how a region rich with ethnic and religious diversity created a modern culture of coexistence amid Ottoman reformation, European colonialism, and the emergence of nationalism.   Moving from the nineteenth century to the present, this groundbreaking book explores, without denial or equivocation, the politics of pluralism during the Ottoman Empire and in the post-Ottoman Arab world. Rather than judging the Arab world as a place of age-old sectarian animosities, Age of Coexistence describes the forging of a complex system of coexistence, what Makdisi calls the “ecumenical frame.” He argues that new forms of antisectarian politics, and some of the most important examples of Muslim-Christian political collaboration, crystallized to make and define the modern Arab world.   Despite massive challenges and setbacks, and despite the persistence of colonialism and authoritarianism, this framework for coexistence has endured for nearly a century. It is a reminder that religious diversity does not automatically lead to sectarianism. Instead, as Makdisi demonstrates, people of different faiths, but not necessarily of different political outlooks, have consistently tried to build modern societies that transcend religious and sectarian differences.

    Wael B. Hallaq contends that Taha is at the forefront of forging a new, non-Western-centric philosophical tradition. He explores how Taha's philosophical project sheds light on recent intellectual currents in the Islamic world and puts forth a formidable critique of Western and Islamic modernities.Hallaq argues that Taha's project departs from--but leaves behind--the epistemological grounds in which most modern Muslim intellectuals have anchored their programs. He systematically rejects the modes of thought that have dominated the Muslim intellectual scene since the beginning of the twentieth century--nationalism, Marxism, secularism, political Islamism, and liberalism. Instead, he provides alternative ways of thinking, forcefully and virtuosically developing an ethical system with a view toward reforming existing modernities. Hallaq analyzes the ethical thread that runs throughout Taha's oeuvre, illuminating how Taha weaves it into a discursive engagement with the central questions that plague modernity in both the West and the Muslim world. The first introduction to Taha's ethical philosophy for Western audiences, Reforming Modernity presents his complex thought in an accessible way while engaging with it critically. Hallaq's conversation with Taha's work both proffers a cogent critique of modernity and points toward answers for its endemic and seemingly insoluble problems.

    The author draws a unique portrait in which the powerful spiritual undercurrents of early Islamic history can be discerned at play, and where the sanctified heart of the Imam is revealed as a fulcrum of the harmony between the most diverse and even divergent tendencies.These spiritual reflections on the life and thought of Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, bring to life what is essential and inspirational in his biography. 'Ali is viewed as the paragon of statesmanship, chivalry and mysticism, a man of action and contemplation, the greatest hero of his age as well as its wisest sage. The interplay between his dramatic outward story and his profound inner story heralds the triumph of the human spirit over the difficulties, tragedies and absurdities which are inevitable in 'the life of this world.'This exceptional book may be too Shia for some Sunnis, and too Sunni for some Shia, and it may be too political for some, and too spiritual for others, and so its main value lies precisely in a higher perspective where it reveals harmony, in a keen vision of the forces of tawhid, the drive to union, alive at the centre of historical events as in human hearts. It will have a cathartic effect upon the many, Sunnis and Shia alike, who wish to see 'Ali as a fountainhead of unity in Islam, not as a source of division. It makes accessible to both Muslims and non-Muslims the treasures of loving mercy flowing from 'Ali, a global paragon of initiatic wisdom.

    For this reason disciplining oneself is of utmost importance in order to achieve the spiritual growth that every soul requires.The inner fight against the self takes place in every human being daily, however only the sincere and powerful will do away with such impulses and attacks and will overcome the forces of desire. Just like food, drink and clothes are a necessity for the human being, so too is the need to discipline the soul and rectify the flaws of the self. In today’s society people often neglect the self and the need for it to be reformed upon the teachings of the Qur’an and the beautiful example of our beloved Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) and his Companions.As humans we tend to focus on what is apparent and neglect the spiritual dimension of oneself. For this reason the book before you will not only fill that void, but will also be a means of rectifying the self. This guide before you is utmost valuable and its need in our materialistic society cannot be under estimated, by the permission of Allah, the Most High.In this second instalment, the author, may Allah have mercy on him, discusses the marvels of the heart and curing the sickness therein, disciplining the self and breaking the desire of the stomach and the private parts. It also covers how to deal with pride, malice, envy and the defects of the tongue. It concludes with the harms of greed, praise of wealth, showing off, self-delusion and how to overcome all these diseases that harm the spirituality of any person that is seeking the Hereafter.

    The author moves beyond the dominant model of Islamic governance advanced by modern day Islamists. The political philosophy of Ihsan privileges process over structure, deeds over identity, love over law and mercy and forgiveness over retribution. The work invites Muslims to move away from thinking about the form of Islamic government and to strive to create a self-critical society that defends national virtue and generates institutions and practices that provide good governance.

    A concise text introducing the foundational topics covered in the field of Qur’anic Studies including revelation, compilation and preservation.

    

    It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel 1,400 years ago and has been preserved in its original form ever since, guiding humankind to the Islamic creed and legislation, informing them of the stories of earlier prophets and their communities and calling people to believe in Allah, the One.Millions of people have learned its entirety by heart throughout every generation since it was first revealed. Nearly every Muslim memorises parts of it, and most recite a portion of it every day. No book, religious or otherwise, is read and recited or listened to as frequently as the Qur'an. Those who recite it in Arabic are always eager to do more, aware of its inimitable clarity, rhythm and brevity, yet modern English readers have had limited access to its meanings, with most reliant upon translations prepared in archaic English, unappealing to the contemporary reader.In this new translation the renowned author and scholar Adil Salahi has endeavoured to put the meanings of the Qur'anic verses and surahs in simple and straightforward form, so that the 21st century reader may find it concise easy to access, and yet full of expansive expression.

    Author Nazanin Shahrokni takes us onto gender-segregated buses, inside a women-only park, and outside the closed doors of stadiums where women are banned from attending men’s soccer matches. The Islamic character of the state, she demonstrates, has had to coexist, fuse, and compete with technocratic imperatives, pragmatic considerations regarding the viability of the state, international influences, and global trends. Through a retelling of the past four decades of state policy regulating gender boundaries, Women in Place challenges notions of the Iranian state as overly unitary, ideological, and isolated from social forces and pushes us to contemplate the changing place of women in a social order shaped by capitalism, state-sanctioned Islamism, and debates about women’s rights. Shahrokni throws into sharp relief the ways in which the state strives to constantly regulate and contain women’s bodies and movements within the boundaries of the “proper” but simultaneously invests in and claims credit for their expanded access to public spaces.

    Four decades later, Darioush Bayandor draws upon heretofore untapped archival evidence to reexamine the complex domestic and international dynamics that led to the Revolution. Beginning with the socioeconomic transformation of the 1960s, this book follows the Shah's rule through the 1970s, tracing the emergence of opposition movements, the Shah's blunders and miscalculations, the influence of the post-Vietnam zeitgeist and the role of the Carter administration. The Shah, the Islamic Revolution and the United States offers new revelations about how Iran was thrown into chaos and an ailing ruler lost control, with consequences that still reverberate today.

    In Sacred Misinterpretation Martin Accad guides readers through key theological questions that fuel conflict and misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians. A sure-footed guide, he weaves personal stories together with deep discussion of theological beliefs.Accad identifies trends, recognizes historical realities, and brings to light significant points of contention that often lead to break-down in Christian-Muslim dialogue. He also outlines positive and creative trends that could lead to a more hopeful future. Fairly and seriously presenting both Muslim theology and a Muslim interpretation of Christian theology, Sacred Misinterpretation is an essential guide for fostering dialogue and understanding among readers from both faiths.

    The book before you seeks to accessibilize spirituality by distilling difficult concepts into digestible nuggets of wisdom. Contained within these pages are 100 spiritual prescriptions which offer simple cognitive/and or behavioral instructions to help nurture and illuminate the soul. In keeping with the Prophet's (s) final testament of adhering to the Quran and his immaculate family, each spiritual prescription is rooted in the Quran and the prophetic legacy as transmitted to us through those who knew him best.