Biographies

In an era of fanaticism and polarisation, Dr Bari’s life is an example of a prominent Western Muslim rejecting extremes and finding balance

In this memoir, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari asks us to look beyond the extremism and violence that all too often defines the Muslim community toward those, like himself, navigating a middle-way life. A path defined in Islam as the “natural way,”

Nana Asma’u (1793 -1864) was a prolific Muslim scholar, poet, historian, and educator. Daughters are still named after her; her poems, read and recited privately and in public, still move people profoundly; the memory of her remains a vital source of inspiration and hope. She was a devout, learned Muslim, courageous, independent-minded, and able to observe, record, interpret and influence the major public events that happened around her. Her example as an educator is still followed: the system she set up in the first quarter of the nineteenth century, for the education of rural women, has not only survived in its homeland through the traumas of the colonization of West Africa and the establishment of the modern state of Nigeria, but is also being revived and adapted elsewhere, notably among Muslim women in the USA.

Honoured by Sunni Muslims as the epitome of the just ruler, ‘Umar, or Omar – the second Caliph – is one of the most significant figures in early Islamic history. His rule (634-44 CE) laid the foundations of an empire that has since defined, both culturally and geographically, the heartlands of the Islamic world. Shibli Numani’s classic links the military conquests of the period with ‘Umar’s reforms in law, government and public administration. He describes the personal strengths, skills and character of ‘Umar and evaluates his contribution to the ethos of Islam

The teacher and guide of souls, Muhammad ibn al-H_shim_ was born to pious parents, both prophetic scions who traced their lineage back to al-_asan ibn ‘Al_ rad_allahu `anhu, in 1298 A.H. in the town of Sabdou, which lies in the vicinity of Tlemcen, one of the main cities of Algeria. His father was one of the city’s scholars, and a judge therein. When he died, he left behind him young children; the Shaykh was the oldest of them.

Harun al-Rashid, the legendary caliph reigned for a quarter of a century, his empire spreading over south-west Asia and into north Africa. He waged war on the Byzantine Empire, and dealt ruthlessly with the religious and social insurrections which threatened his kingdom

Abu Hanifah – Numan ibn Thabit (d. 150/767) is one of the great pioneers in the history of Islamic Law. He was among the first to deploy the recognized methods of legal reasoning consistently, and to gather the judgements and rulings of his time into a systematic corpus.

Ali ibn Ab iTalib, the fourth Caliph of Islam, but the first to be remembered from among all the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad as far as bravery is concerned. 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 spiritual guide of believers.

This book provides glimpses of Bengals Muslim history from the beginning of the 13th century to more recent events during the early part of the 20th century. Khan’s book provides invaluable information which will inspire present and future generations regarding the Muslim history, culture and heritage of Bengal.