Early Days (H/B)

The exact number of prophets and messengers sent by Allah is not known, but the Qur’an makes clear that all of the prophets were sent to various nations to preach Islamic monotheism. Muslims believe that all the Divine Messengers ? including those in common with Judaism and Christianity ? conveyed the same message of true monotheism and submission to the one God, Allah. Belief in these prophets and messengers is an essential part of the Islamic faith and Muslims do not differentiate between them, according them all the same respect and reverence.

The Book of Islamic Dynasties presents in one concise volume an introduction to the many great Islamic dynasties that have arisen, shone and faded – like stars in the firmament – but have left the Muslim world all the richer. The subtitle, A Celebration of Islamic History and Culture, reflects the importance of the inspiring cultural legacies bequeathed to us by our Muslim ancestors and the enormous contributions made by Muslims to world civilization.

Filled with beautiful hand painted illustrations to bring the text to life. This book will be a pleasure to read for both adolescents and adults and will insha’Allah enable the reader to better comprehend the complexities of life in today’s Dar al-Islam.

Luqman Nagy was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with graduate degrees in Library Science and Education and subsequently pursued Middle Eastern language studies at Ankara University (Turkish), Pahlavi [Shiraz] University (Persian), and Umm al-Qur’a University, Makkah (Arabic). Since 1970, he has traveled the length and breadth of Dar al-Islam several times always in search of traditional Islamic societies. He currently resides with his family in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia where he teaches at King Fahd University.

This book discusses the subjects of the history and architecture of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. It represents the story of the evolution of the Mosque from the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to the modern era of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The extraordinary character and career of Saladin are the keys to understanding the Battle of Hattin, the fall of Jerusalem and the failure of the Third Crusade. He united warring Muslim lands, reconquered the bulk of Crusader states and faced Richard the Lion Heart, king of England, in one of the most famous confrontations in medieval. Geoffrey Hindley’s sympathetic and highly readable study of the life and times of this remarkable, many-sided man, who dominated the Middle East in his day, gives a fascinating insight into his achievements and into the Muslim world of his contemporaries.

The story of how Saladin rose swiftly to the heights of power in Egypt, Syria and Palestine through conquest, intrigue and opportunism makes compelling reading. As Geoffrey Hindley shows, Saladin’s exceptional gifts as a battlefields commander and a military organizer were allied to an intense singleness of purpose and a rare political skill. United under his leadership, the Muslims formed a force that the Crusaders couldn’t hope to resist. But the quality that makes Saladin stand out from the other leaders of his time is his reputation for chivalry and honourable dealing.

Greoffrey Hindley is a distinguished medieval historian who has written widely on many aspects of the period. He has made a special study of medieval warfare and of England in the Age of Caxton, Under Siege, Tourists, Travellers nd Pilgrims, The Book of Magna Carta and The Crusades. His most recent publication is A Brief History of the Anglo-Saxons.