'Outstanding, illuminating, compelling ... a riveting read' Peter Frankopan, Sunday Times Islamic civilization was once the envy of the world. From a succession of glittering, cosmopolitan capitals, Islamic empires lorded it over the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and swathes of the Indian subcontinent. For centuries the caliphate was both ascendant on the battlefield and triumphant in the battle of ideas, its cities unrivalled powerhouses of artistic grandeur, commercial power, spiritual sanctity and forward-looking thinking.Islamic Empires is a history of this rich and diverse civilization told through its greatest cities over fifteen centuries, from the beginnings of Islam in Mecca in the seventh century to the astonishing rise of Doha in the twenty-first.It dwells on the most remarkable dynasties ever to lead the Muslim world - the Abbasids of Baghdad, the Umayyads of Damascus and Cordoba, the Merinids of Fez, the Ottomans of Istanbul, the Mughals of India and the Safavids of Isfahan - and some of the most charismatic leaders in Muslim history, from Saladin in Cairo and mighty Tamerlane of Samarkand to the poet-prince Babur in his mountain kingdom of Kabul and the irrepressible Maktoum dynasty of Dubai. It focuses on these fifteen cities at some of the defining moments in Islamic history: from the Prophet Mohammed receiving his divine revelations in Mecca and the First Crusade of 1099 to the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and the phenomenal creation of the merchant republic of Beirut in the nineteenth century. Read more

A fascinating account of the fifty years of major conquests that established the vast Arabian empire shortly after Muhammad’s death, changing the Middle East forever.This record of the history of Arabian expansion and its Bedouin people is the perfect read for fans of T.E. Lawrence, Hugh Kennedy, Justin Marozzi, and Robert G. Hoyland.For the Bedouin tribes of Central Arabia, the years A.D. 630 to A.D. 680 were transformative as, through their religious fervour and courage, they established one of the greatest empires in all history, second only to the achievements of Alexander the Great. Their scope and success were all the more remarkable for the lack of a trained, disciplined army or any central organisation, and despite the existence of tribal divisions and the personal ambitions of this warlike people.Using his deep personal understanding of the history and characteristics of the Bedouin people, gained during time living amongst them, original Arabic sources, and European translations, Glubb provides an insightful and thought-provoking read.‘Among the most astonishing and significant events in human history.’ — Times Literary Supplement‘Sir John Glubb’s unique insight into Arab mentality has enabled him to write a fascinating account of his subject.’ — The Sunday Telegraph'A scholarly work by Sir John Glubb whose obvious fascination with his subject transforms the driest and dustiest desert war into a thing of excitement and suspense' — Evening NewsPraise for John Bagot Glubb’s Great Arab History:‘Sir John Glubb … as always a clear guide, illuminating history by the fruits of his own experience.’ — The Times‘Few men are better qualified to bring such a period to life.’ — The Sunday Times Read more

In god is Not Great Hitchens turned his formidable eloquence and rhetorical energy to the most controversial issue in the world: God and religion. The result is a devastating critique of religious faithgod Is Not Great is the ultimate case against religion. In a series of acute readings of the major religious texts, Christopher Hitchens demonstrates the ways in which religion is man-made, dangerously sexually repressive and distorts the very origins of the cosmos. Above all, Hitchens argues that the concept of an omniscient God has profoundly damaged humanity, and proposes that the world might be a great deal better off without 'him'. Read more

The influence of Islam in the UK is growing rapidly and can be see in politics, in finance, in fashion, in food, in restrictions on freedom of expression, and in many other areas. Islam is bold and assertive, and openly pushing for greater influence across the nation. There can be no doubt that this poses a challenge to Christians in the UK. How will we respond. In this book, Tim Dieppe outlines the scope of the challenge and includes various essays that he has written about the nature of Islam and how it is shaping our culture. He concludes with some policy suggestions that would make a difference. Read more

From the bestselling author of The Templars. 'Voyages, battles, sieges and slaughter: Dan Jones's tumultuous and thrilling history of the crusades is one of the best' SUNDAY TIMES. 'A powerful story brilliantly told. Dan Jones writes with pace, wit and insight' HELEN CASTOR. 'A fresh and vibrant account of a conflict that raged across medieval centuries' JONATHAN PHILLIPS. Dan Jones, best-selling chronicler of the Middle Ages, turns his attention to the history of the Crusades – the sequence of religious wars fought between the late eleventh century and late medieval periods, in which armies from European Christian states attempted to wrest the Holy Land from Islamic rule, and which have left an enduring imprint on relations between the Muslim world and the West. From the preaching of the First Crusade by Pope Urban II in 1095 to the loss of the last crusader outpost in the Levant in 1302-03, and from the taking of Jerusalem from the Fatimids in 1099 to the fall of Acre to the Mamluks in 1291, Crusaders tells a tale soaked in Islamic, Christian and Jewish blood, peopled by extraordinary characters, and characterised by both low ambition and high principle. Dan Jones is a master of popular narrative history, with the priceless ability to write page-turning narrative history underpinned by authoritative scholarship. Never before has the era of the Crusades been depicted in such bright and striking colours, or their story told with such gusto. PRAISE FOR THE TEMPLARS: 'A fresh, muscular and compelling history of the ultimate military-religious crusading order, combining sensible scholarship with narrative swagger' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE. 'Dan Jones has created a gripping page-turner out of the dramatic history of the Templars' PHILIPPA GREGORY. 'The story of the Templars, the ultimate holy warriors, is an extraordinary saga of fanaticism, bravery, treachery and betrayal, and in Dan Jones they have a worthy chronicler. The Templars is a wonderful book!' BERNARD CORNWELL. 'Told with all Jones's usual verve and panache, this is a dramatic and gripping tale of courage and stupidity, faith and betrayal' MAIL ON SUNDAY. 'This is another triumphant tale from a historian who writes as addictively as any page-turning novelist' OBSERVER. 'The Templars is exhilarating, epic, sword-swinging history' TLS. 'Jones carries the Templars through the crusades with clarity and verve. This is unabashed narrative history, fast-paced and full of incident... Jones tells their story extremely well' SUNDAY TIMES. Read more

Destiny Disrupted, “a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the Islamic world,” (San Francisco Chronicle) tells the history of the world from the Islamic point of view, and restores the centrality of the Muslim perspective, ignored for a thousand years. In Destiny Disrupted, Tamim Ansary tells the rich story of world history with the evolution of the Muslim community at the center. His story moves from the lifetime of Mohammed through a succession of far-flung empires, to the tangle of modern conflicts that culminated in the events of 9/11. He introduces the key people, events, ideas, legends, religious disputes, and turning points of world history, imparting not only what happened but how it is understood from the Muslim perspective. He clarifies why two great civilizations—Western and Muslim—grew up oblivious to each other, what happened when they intersected, and how the Islamic world was affected by its slow recognition that Europe—a place it long perceived as primitive—had somehow hijacked destiny. With storytelling brio, humor, and evenhanded sympathy to all sides of the story, Ansary illuminates a fascinating parallel to the narrative usually heard in the West. Destiny Disrupted offers a vital perspective on world conflicts many now find so puzzling. Read more

THE CLEAR QURAN® is one of the most eloquent attempts to masterfully and accurately capture the elegance and vigor of the Quran in the modern English language. Its clarity for an average reader is evident in the choice of easy to understand words and phrases that reflect the beauty, flow and power of the original text. Along with just enough footnotes to clarify complex and contextual meanings, and brief Surah (chapter) introductions, this copy groups verses and titles them based on the theme of those verses (hence the word Thematic in the title), to provide internal coherence to readers – Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Thanks to the dedicated team of scholars, editors, and proof readers lead by Dr. Mustafa Khattab, we believe that THE CLEAR QURAN® is the finest translation of the Final Revelation in the English language available today. This particular copy has the Arabic along side the English. It is also the version that uses "Allah" instead of God Read more

A selection of beautiful and practical pieces of advice from the Quran, the Prophet PBUH and Islam’s great scholars on repentance, guidance and purification. 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. Read more

In a world that teaches us that if we have more, we’ll be more, why do we still feel insufficient? What is missing?We are plagued by Hustle Culture, working longer hours, buying advanced gadgets, and wearing the latest fashion, yet we remain unfulfilled. Mohammed Faris’ groundbreaking book powerfully reintroduces the ancient wisdom of Barakah and masterfully juxtaposes it with modern-day realities.The Barakah Effect fuses traditional Islamic knowledge, pioneering research, and compelling stories to take you on a deep dive into the expansive implications of Barakah on your personal and professional life.This book illuminates the vital role of good intentions, the importance of seeking Allah’s help, the power of gratitude, and the virtue of patience. Learn how to liv e a life centered on serving your Lord, cultivate a gardener's mindset that combines ambition with contentment, navigate challenging family dynamics with grace, and leave a legacy that outlives your earthly existence.Learn how to be more with less with Baraka Effect. Read more

In this short yet timely book, Dr Ibrahim Kalin, based on his thorough study of the history of philosophy, analyses the categories of reason and rationality within the Islamic intellectual context as it was shaped by the foundational theory underlying the Quran and as developed by the Islamic theological and intellectual tradition. Dr Kalin argues that far from being a self-standing entity, reason functions within a larger context of meaning and existence, intelligibility and moral thinking. He shows clearly how the Quranic perspective of rationality moves us beyond the internal workings of a single, disengaged mind and places us with a larger context of ontological significance. Read more

Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant versions, but few people in the non-Muslim world really understand the nature of Islam. Malise Ruthven's Very Short Introduction contains essential insights into issues such as why Islam has such major divisions between movements such as the Shi'ites, the Sunnis, and the Wahhabis, and the central importance of the Shar'ia (Islamic law) in Islamic life. It also offers fresh perspectives on contemporary questions: Why is the greatest 'Jihad' (holy war) now against the enemies of Islam, rather than the struggle against evil? Can women find fulfilment in Islamic societies? How must Islam adapt as it confronts the modern world? In this new edition, Ruthven brings the text up-to-date by reflecting upon some of the most significant changes in the Muslim world in recent years; from the emergence of al-Qaeda and the attacks on New York and Washington on 9/11 and the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, to the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. Ruthven includes new material surrounding the concept of a globalized Islam, bringing into question the effects of economic globalization, the effect of international events in Middle Eastern countries, the issues surrounding Islam and democracy, and the reception and perception of Islam in the West. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. Read more

A sweeping history of the often-violent conflict between Islam and the West, shedding a revealing light on current hostilities The West and Islam--the sword and scimitar--have clashed since the mid-seventh century, when, according to Muslim tradition, the Roman emperor rejected Prophet Muhammad's order to abandon Christianity and convert to Islam, unleashing a centuries-long jihad on Christendom. Sword and Scimitar chronicles the decisive battles that arose from this ages-old Islamic jihad, beginning with the first major Islamic attack on Christian land in 636, through the Muslim occupation of nearly three-quarters of Christendom which prompted the Crusades, followed by renewed Muslim conquests by Turks and Tatars, to the European colonization of the Muslim world in the 1800s, when Islam largely went on the retreat--until its reemergence in recent times. Using original sources in Arabic and Greek, preeminent historian Raymond Ibrahim describes each battle in vivid detail and explains how these wars and the larger historical currents of the age reflect the cultural fault lines between Islam and the West. The majority of these landmark battles--including the battles of Yarmuk, Tours, Manzikert, the sieges at Constantinople and Vienna, and the crusades in Syria and Spain--are now forgotten or considered inconsequential. Yet today, as the West faces a resurgence of this enduring Islamic jihad, Sword and Scimitar provides the needed historical context to understand the current relationship between the West and the Islamic world--and why the Islamic State is merely the latest chapter of an old history. Read more

This reader-friendly presentation of the translation of the Quran will help you to understand the topic you are reading, and learn the moving and transformative message of the Quran. There are 1500 sections with headings. The infallible word of Allah is a literary masterpiece of breathtaking beauty, revealed by the Most Gracious and Loving Lord in an authoritative yet gentle, poetic language. This refreshing and beautiful presentation of the message of the glorious Quran is accurate, and reads easily and flows smoothly. The notes help to explain special Islamic concepts and Quranic terms, as well as Arabic metaphors and idioms. This landmark translation will appeal to English readers globally. Read more

Bukhari records on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said, "Your actions alone will not save any of you." They asked, Messenger of Allah, not even you?, He replied, 'Not even me, unless, Allah were to envelop me in His mercy. Be firm; steadfast and balanced; and journey [to Allah] in the beginning of the day, the end of the day, and a portion of the latter part of the night. Moderation, moderation! Through this you will attain your goal!" He also recorded this Hadith in another place with the wording, 'This religion is easy, none makes it hard upon himself except that it overwhelms him; therefore be firm, steadfast, and balanced; upon which have glad tidings! Seek help in this by journeying [to Allah] at the beginning of the day, at the end of the day, and a portion of the latter part of night.' He also records on the authority of Aishah that the Prophet said, Be firm, steadfast, and balanced upon which have glad tidings for indeed actions alone will not cause one to enter Paradise. They asked Messenger of Allah, not even you? He replied, Not even me, unless Allah were to envelop me in His forgiveness and mercy He also records on her authority that the Prophet said, Be Firm, steadfast and balanced: know that your actions alone will not be a cause for your entry into Paradise and that the most beloved actions to Allah are those that are done continuously and persistently, even if they be few. These noble ahadith details a great and important principle from which stem many issues related to the journey to Allah while wayfaring along His Path. Some of the Salaf said, 'The Hereafter consists either of Allah's forgiveness or the Fire; and this world is either a source of Allah's protection or a source of destruction.' On his deathbed, Muhammad ibn Waasi bid farewell to his companions saying, 'Peace be upon you, either to the Fire or to the forgiveness of Allah.' Read more

'Wolf Hall for the Ottoman Empire . . . History at its most gripping' Daily Telegraph on The Lion HouseA ground-breaking, present-tense reconstruction of the life and world of one of the most consequential figures in world history, Suleyman the Magnificent, from the author of The Lion HouseChosen by The Times as one of the Best Books of 2025‘A wonderful book – entrancing, addictive, full of effortless erudition’ Rory StewartIstanbul, 1538. The greatest of the Ottoman Sultans is at the pinnacle of world power, while his family and future are at the mercy of their own dynastic law: whichever of his five sons succeeds him must eventually kill all the others. So why not get a head start?For the next fifteen years, as Suleyman the Magnificent and his terrifying pirate captain Barbarossa face down imperial enemies across two hemispheres, the self-fulfilling curse of the Ottomans gathers its own unstoppable momentum.From the burning pyres of Paris to the rain-lashed mountains of Transylvania, from Buda to Basra, from Crimea to the coast of India, The Golden Throne is an intensely gripping yet entirely historical reconstruction of the life and world of the most feared and powerful man of the sixteenth century, revealing the price of succession and the terrible cost of success.‘The pace, the language and the story-telling are simply magnificent’ Victoria Hislop‘Thrilling entertainment created out of meticulously researched history’ Robert Peston‘Mesmerizing, superb, impossible to put down' Simon Sebag Montefiore'Wonderful and highly enjoyable' Margaret MacMillan Read more

At some level, so many of us have experienced emptiness. But very few people know why. And even fewer people know how to fill that emptiness. But we spend our lives trying...As flawed human beings, we so often cringe at our humanness. We try everything to erase it. We look for any way to hide from our wounds and to numb the pain. But what if we didn't have to hide? What if our wound became the door to a deeper understanding of ourselves and God? What if every wound served a purpose and the process of healing made us stronger?This life and our entire journey here, is not an end in itself. It is a purposeful process, designed by God to shape our hearts. To prepare our souls for the Final Meeting with Him. We must allow the process to refine and remake us. And our wounds are a part of that process. It will hurt. It will seem like the end so many times. But it is not the end. Our journey will keep going and we can rise out of our pain, stronger.And then in the End, it won't be how we walked in the sun-but how we handled the storm-that will define us. It won't be about how we ran.It will be about how we fell, and then got back up.This book is about finding strength in God and in our capacity to be both human and beautiful--both flawed and inspired. It is a journey to the understanding that we are flawed by design so that we can find strength and beauty in relying entirely on the Flawless.This book is about learning why we suffer and how to stop our pain from destroying us. It is a spiritual and psychological manual for healing and growth through our pain. It is about finding peace and purpose, no matter what we've been through. Read more

‘Bold, addictive and brilliant.’ Stylist, best fiction 2021 A Times Bestseller A Times & Sunday Times Best Crime Books of 2021 A Waterstones Thriller of The MonthBe twice as good as men and four times as good as white men. Jia Khan has always lived like this. Successful London lawyer Jia Khan is a long way from the Northern streets she knew as a child, where her father, Akbar Khan, led the Pakistani community and ran the local organised crime syndicate. Often his Jirga rule – the old way – was violent and bloody, but it was always justice of a kind. Now, with her father murdered, Jia must return to take his place. Justice needs to be restored, and Jia is about to discover that justice always comes at a cost.‘A fascinating glimpse into a world rarely portrayed in fiction.’ Guardian, best crime and thrillers ‘A once-in-a-generation crime thriller.’ A.A.Dhand, author of Streets of Darkness Read more

*Ten years on from 9/11, much of the Muslim faith remains largely unknown and misunderstood in the West. *While there have been a number of successful books on the topic of Islamic history - from Karen Armstrong's Islam: A Brief History to Bernard Lewis's The Crises of Islam - there is surprisingly no book for a popular audience about Islam as a religion, let alone one by an author from an Islamic background. *No God But God fills that gap, addressing issues of belief: the difference between the Quran and the Bible, the meaning of the Hajj, the Muslim relationship with Jesus, the Muslim attitude towards Jews, equality between the sexes and more.* This revised and updated edition includes a wealth of new material and new chapters covering recent uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya; the changing face of Islam in Europe and North Africa; and a number of topics of heated debate (the veil controversy; Islam & women; Iraq War as a Jihadi recruiting agent etc). Read more

★★★★★ “A must-read for all Muslim women! This book is both thought-provoking and practical.”"Be Soft, Be Strong" is a spectacular compilation of powerful reflections and inspiring Islamic reminders that resonate deeply in the hearts of Muslim women. Delivered through eloquent quotes, soulful poems, and adorned with beautiful illustrations throughout, this literary pearl serves as an invaluable companion for the modern Muslim woman.A Message from the Author: Allah (swt) knows the challenges that we face in practicing Islam amidst the trials of the modern world—but He also promises us an even greater reward for steadfastly holding onto our faith during these times. In this book, I share some genuine and unfiltered words from my heart, so that my Muslim sisters around the world can know that their struggles are acknowledged, and valid. I delve into topics such as the impact of mental health, the influence of social media, the beauty of the hijab, seeking righteous companionship, finding a suitable spouse, striving for a flourishing community, and more. Throughout the pages, you will also find verses from the Qur’an, and statements (hadith) from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as powerful reminders that despite our struggles, we are not alone. Allah (swt) has provided us with all the guidance we need. May this knowledge be a source of comfort, empowerment, and inspiration—ultimately, bringing you closer to Him. Ameen.Love, KashmirGet your beautiful copy today and embrace the softness of the heart, and the strength of emaan.♥ This collection also serves as a heartwarming and thoughtful gift to share with loved ones during Eid—or as an emaan-booster for your spiritual journey during Ramadan ♥ Read more

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Draz (1312-1377 H, 1894-1958 CE) is often referred to as “the teacher of the teachers” and in “a league of his own”. He is one of the most important Islamic and Azhari scholars of the past century, and has made significant contributions to contemporary Islamic thought, especially in Qur’anic Studies and Maqasid Studies. The original form of this book is Sheikh Draz’s doctoral dissertation titled, La morale du Koran, which earned him a doctorate degree with the highest level of distinction at the renowned French Sorbonne University in 1947 CE. The Sheikh’s theory of morality presented in this book has not been matched in its originality, parsimoniousness, integrity, depth and comprehensiveness, past or present. Through a thematic interpretation of the Qur’an, the Sheikh proposes the following five critical elements of morality: obligation, responsibility, sanction, intent, and effort. Each element plays an indispensable role in the conscience of a believer and each requiring awareness and attention. The Sheikh demonstrates that every human, believer or non-believer, possesses a “light” that enables them to determine good and evil on a fundamental level and propels them toward duty, kindness and charity. However, the believer possesses a “double light”, a deep knowledge that incorporates divine law into our very essence in a process that fuses our will with that of our Creator. Read more