Stories from the Thirty Birds • From “I” to Him

About The Book In Attar’s renowned 12th century Sufi classic, The Conference of the Birds, the many types of human beings and their various spiritual aptitudes are represented by a multitude of birds. This vast company sets off to encounter the Great Simurgh – a majestic Bird Who represents the Lord of the Worlds – the Divine Source of Being. But of all those who embark on this journey, only 30 stay the formidable course and are able to overcome the enormous challenges and attendant trials. Only thirty birds made it to the august Threshold. Kerim Guc, whose grandmother’s stories helped form his spiritual life, most imaginatively and effectively shares tales told by these 30 birds, each of which help to open the Magnificent Gate bit by bit. The stories, selected from various cultures and epochs, help to clarify 30 “realizations” needed by any seeker in his or her final Return to the One. These Wisdom Teachings underscore the Universality and Timelessness of what is encountered in the spiritual life. Kerim Guc’s stories are unforgettable and immediately affect the awareness and inner practice of the reader – young or old. About The Author Hasan Kerim Guc graduated from Istanbul High School in 1992 and from Yildiz Technical University in 1996. Between 1997-2004, he completed his master's degree in Information Systems and Business Administration in Baltimore, USA. Guc returned to Turkey in 2010.   Realizing that the treasure he had been looking for for 14 years was right in his own home, he took the position of Chief Editor at Nefes Publishing House in 2014. Gü ç nourishes his business life with Sufi studies and is pursuing a doctoral degree from the ü skü dar University Institute for Sufi Studies. He has published four books.

Mohamed Zakariya – A 21st century Master Calligrapher

Mohamed Zakariya

About The Book The book is a study of the life and impact of Mohamed Zakariya, a contemporary American artist, who through his pursuit of a centuries old art form, Islamic calligraphy, has become known world-wide for his work. Along the way, he has had a major role in bringing this art form to the US and through his teaching, public appearances, and work, creating a uniquely American version of the practice of Islamic calligraphy.   The account of Mohamed Zakariya’s life is told from a variety of perspectives, from his students, from colleagues, and by scholars. This multivocal approach to the subject results in a nuanced, thoughtful presentation of a complex and brilliant artist.   Essays by leading scholars in the fields of Islamic art, calligraphy, and Islamic religious studies unpack the complexities of Islamic calligraphy through history, and place Zakariya and his work in a historical context stretching back over many centuries, but also explain why he is a maverick at the forefront of a global resurgence of traditional Islamic calligraphy.   About The Author   Nancy Micklewright writes about visual culture in the Ottoman Empire with a focus on gender, and is currently working on her new book, Dressing for the Camera, Fashion and Photography in the late Ottoman Empire. Through 2019 she was Head of Public and Scholarly Engagement at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art.   A former university professor and senior program office at the Getty Foundation, she has a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in the History of Islamic Art and Architecture. A machinist by training, American-born Mohamed Zakariya is a classically educated Islamic calligrapher who earned diplomas in three calligraphic scripts from the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art, and Culture in Istanbul.   His work has been collected and displayed worldwide, including at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. Zakariya designed Eid holiday stamps for the U.S. Postal Service in 2001, 2009, 2011, and 2016. He has been featured in several movies, including the 2002 PBS documentary Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet.  

O Humankind: Surah Ya-Sin

Cemalnur Sargut

About The Book Muhammad summarized Chapter Ya-Sin with the following noble hadith: “Everything has a heart. The heart of the Quran is Chapter Ya-Sin.” If we think of this universe as an embodiment of the Quran’s meaning, the perfect human beings (al-Insan al-Kamil) described in Chapter Ya-Sin are the heart of this body. As they assume the character traits of the Prophet, they give life to the dead bodies with these character traits.   “O Humankind” is an elaborate commentary on the Chapter Ya-Sin, the heart of the Quran, about the inner meanings of each of its verses. Compiled by Cemalnur Sargut, the book is a reference that draws on various tafsir works and the commentaries of the perfect human beings.   The great Quran commentary tradition shows us how Muslims have understood their religion over time. The tradition is found here in a selection ranging over ten centuries of commentary on chapter Ya Sin, known as “the heart of the Quran.”   About The Author   As a female Sufi teacher, Cemalnur Sargut commands a loyal and active worldwide following, especially in Turkey. Her career as a scholar and Sufi leader represents an important case study in the dynamics of contemporary global Sufism. This volume represents the first text in English translation that brings together some of her major discourses and teachings as presented to her students through the genre of oral discourses.   More specifically, the discourses that form the core of this book were collected through oral interviews with Cemalnur conducted by her students as part of a weekly program. Victoria Rowe Holbrook teaches philosophy in the Faculty of Architecture at Istanbul Bilgi University. She is a graduate of Harvard and Princeton and a Mellon Fellow. She founded the program in Ottoman and Modern Turkish Literary and Cultural studies at the Ohio State University.   She is the author of The Unreadable Shores of Love: Turkish Modernity and Mystic Romance, dozens of articles on literature and philosophy, and translations including The White Castle by Nobel winner Orhan Pamuk, Beauty and Love by Seyh Galip, and Commentary on the Spiritual Couplets of Mevlana Rumi by Kenan Rifai.

Barakatu Makkiyya: The Meccan Blessings

Moulana Musa al-Ruhani al-Bazi

About The Book Barakatu Makkiyyah (The Meccan Blessings), by a great Pakistani scholar of recent times, Moulana Musa Ruhani Bazi, which contains 805 sacred names of Rasulullah ﷺ each surrounded by salawat.

Al-Salawat Al-Jafariyyah: The Jafari Salutations regarding the Prayer on the Best of Creationﷺ (Bilingual Edition)

Salih al-Jafari

About The Book This text is a collection of approximately 400 unique salawat composed by Shaykh Salih al-Ja'fari. Similar to the famous Dala'il al-Khayrat of Imam al-Jazuli, the text is arranged into seven chapters, with one chapter for each day of the week. However, rather than a collection of traditional salawat like the Dala’il, the Salawat of Shaykh Salih al-Ja'fari is an original text reflecting the knowledge, insight, and outpourings of the Shaykh. This new bilingual edition contains an English transliteration and translation of each salawat with voweled Arabic text, to allow English-speaking readers to better understand the meanings of these extraordinary prayers. The foreword to this edition is also in English. Shaykh Salih al-Ja’fari was a master of the sacred sciences, and one of the most respected scholars of the Ahl al-Sunnah w'al Jama'at of his generation. However, although he served as Imam of al-Azhar for many years, he is perhaps better known in the West today as one of the the foremost Arabic poets of the past century. These salawat are extremely beautiful, and the reader cannot help but notice their extreme beauty and eloquence. Even those who read Arabic at a beginner-level will benefit, while those who read and speak Arabic fluently will perceive many subtleties of the text’s language, composition, and meanings. Throughout Egypt, Sudan, east Africa, southeast Asia, and elsewhere, thousands of people recite each day's portion of the Salawat of Shaykh Salih al-Ja'fari consistently. These salawat have continued to become ever more widely known and more beloved in the years since the Shaykh death, may God have mercy on him. It's possible to imagine that, in time, the Salawat of Shaykh Salih al-Ja'fari may become as famous and widely known as Imam al-Jazuli's collection.

The Honored One: Allah’s Praise of His Beloved ﷺ - Gems from ‘The Shifa’

Qadi Iyad

About The Book From the work, "Any person who has had any engagement with the topic at hand, or possesses the slightest degree of understanding, will be aware of the great esteem in which Allah Exalted holds our Prophet ﷺ. He singled him out for virtues and qualities too numerous to quantify, and any attempt to do so would exhaust tongues and pens. We can glimpse the honouring of the Almighty for His Prophet ﷺ from that which is stated in His Book, that which He informs us of his elevated positions, and that which He praises of his character. He encourages His slaves to hold tight to the way of the Prophet ﷺ and to join him in obeying His Commands. Allah ﷻ is the One who favoured His Prophet ﷺ [above all creation], then purified him, then praised him on account of that, and finally rewarded him with the greatest reward. To Him belongs Grace in beginning and returning, and to Him belongs Praise and Gratitude in this world and the next. He presented His Prophet ﷺ to His creation in the most complete and perfect form, and distinguished him with beautiful characteristics and a praiseworthy manner. He had a noble way and was blessed with innumerable virtues. Furthermore, Allah Exalted supported him with the ability to perform astounding miracles and deliver irrefutable signs. These were witnessed by his contemporaries and Companions and their knowledge was passed down to those who came after them, until the understanding of this reality reached us and we were overwhelmed with his light. May the abundant praise and salutations of Allah be upon our Prophet ﷺ."Al-Shifa bi Taʿrīf Ḥuquq al-Mustafa, directly translated as, ‘The Remedy (or Cure) Through Recognizing the Rights of the Chosen One’, is one of the most celebrated works in the genre of Shama’il. It stands uniquely amongst the works of Qadi Iyad as his most celebrated effort with many surviving manuscripts and commentaries found throughout the Islamic world. Shama’il is a genre of works that deals with the life, characteristics, and descriptions of the Prophet ﷺ and his station. Al-Shifa, as it is called for short, stands alone as perhaps the most thorough work in this genre, dealing with both the descriptions of the Prophet ﷺ, his station and his perfections, and with the rulings pertaining to one’s belief and treatment of him ﷺ. It is exhaustive in its treatment of the subject, expounding on topics that range from Allah’s praise of the Prophet ﷺ and his status and station before Him, to the obligation of loving him and what that entails. In short, the uniqueness of this work can be attributed to its holistic coverage of the Messenger ﷺ.

Inner Dimensions from the Order of the Surahs in the Qur’an: A Translation of Asrar Tartib al-Quran

Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti

About The Book Inner Dimensions from the Order of the Surahs in the Qur'an contains Imam al-Suyuti's unique exploration into the structure of the Book of Allah, and specifically the sequence of its chapters in its complete form, at the conclusion of its revelation to Allah's Final Messenger ﷺ. A consummate master of the Qur'anic sciences, Imam al-Suyuti delves deep into the various reasons behind the order of the chapters (Surahs) in the Qur'an, revealing layers of meaning and intricate interconnections across many levels of language, meanings, context, purpose, and more. On the effort and research invested in this work, the al-Suyuti writes: “…since few people have spoken on… this subject, the majority of this text is the result of my own contemplation and borne of my own investigation. However, if I do mention something that someone else has said, I explicitly mention its source, and I only mention that which is accepted, which no one has rejected.” In this sense, this text feels quite personal, as it provides a glimpse into Imam's immense knowledge and capacious intellect. Imam al-Suyuti's superlative scholarship is unmistakable, as he draws on his knowledge Hadith, Tafsir, history, and the Arabic language to make an extraordinary range of connections and insights. However, despite the obvious brilliance of its author, this work is also easily accessible to readers of all levels. It is meticulously organized to present a coherent flow of ideas and insight, that allows even beginning students to find benefit. The Surahs of the Qur'an are discussed in order, chapter by chapter, with the chapters themselves maintaining a consistent structure. Imam al-Suyuti provides detailed commentary on the placement of each Surah in relation to what comes before it and what will come after it, and what deeper meanings this particular arrangement might signify. His commentary is rich with references to Hadith, historical contexts, and linguistic analyses. Al-Suyuti also frequently quote the opinions and insights of great scholars of earlier generations, adding depth to the text, and situating his own analyses within the vast corpus of scholarship that came before him. One of the most striking features of this book is Imam al-Suyuti's method of reflection. He does not merely present facts or traditional interpretations, but also engages in a deep, contemplative analysis that unveils some of the hidden wisdom within the Qur'an's structure. This approach is both scholarly and spiritual, making the work a gem of a read for all. The Imam’s reflections are presented in a manner that invites readers to join him in this contemplative journey, offering a personal and immersive experience of understanding the Qur'an. Inner Dimensions from the Order of the Surahs in the Qur'an is a comprehensive guide for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Allah's Final Revelation, and will be an invaluable resource for readers, students of Islamic studies, and anyone interested in understanding the Qur'an on a deeper level. Talut Dawood's translation is fluid, faithful to the original text, and retains the depth and subtleties of Imam al-Suyuti's reflections, making Imam al-Suyuti's profound insights accessible to a broader English-speaking audience. This bilingual edition features the original Arabic text and translation in parallel, allowing students who read Arabic to peruse the source text alongside the English.

Heaven Explored: A Description of Jannah

Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki

About The Book In a world increasingly driven by materialism and immediate gratification, Heaven Explored: A Description of Jannah offers a glimpse into the divine promise that awaits the faithful. This beautiful work by Sayyid Muhammad b. 'Alawi al-Maliki, translated into English by Shaykh Ahmad Shaist, unveils the Islamic vision of Jannah, a realm beyond human imagination. By compiling the numerous vivid descriptions of Jannah in the Qur'an and Hadith, this text brings the reader on a profound journey, which instills hope and provides both solace and much-needed perspective. In his inimitable style, the late Sayyid weaves together the different descriptions and discusses them both as reality and as metaphors for spiritual fulfillment and eternal closeness to Allah, providing a nuanced understanding of the afterlife that transcends literal interpretations. "What No Eye Has Seen," or as rendered in this translation, “Heaven Explored”, is a compelling read for anyone interested in acquainting themselves with the nature of Jannah for the believers. This book is more than an academic treatise; it is a journey towards understanding the divine promise that lies at the heart of a believer’s journey to Allah – the promise of a Paradise beyond the limits of human imagination, meeting the Beloved of Allah ﷺ by the Pond, and seeing Allah, the Exalted. Heaven Explored: A Description of Jannah goes beyond theological exploration, presenting Paradise as both a future abode and a guiding principle for living a righteous, purposeful life. In this edition, Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki’s insights are brought to life through Shaykh Ahmad Shaist's meticulous translation, making the work accessible to a global English-speaking audience. As Sayyid Zain al-Haddad and Shaykh Musab Penfound write in the foreword, this work is "a beacon for those seeking to comprehend the profound mysteries of the Hereafter"

On Prayers Upon the Prophet (Gems from the Shifa)

Qadi Iyad

About The Book Prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ are among the most important devotions by which the devout have approached Allah. Due to this, many scholars have written treatises and even books on its rulings and merits. It is also for that reason that Qadi Iyad devoted to it a section of his celebrated work, al-Shifa. While the section is short, it provides a valuable entry into such literature, distilling rules and benefits for the seeker in brief expressions and beneficial narrations. We selected this section for quick study and review, which will serve both the busy student and the working professional on the go. Al-Shifa bi Taʿrif Ḥuquq al-Mustafa, directly translated as, ‘The Remedy (or Cure) Through Recognizing the Rights of the Chosen One’, is one of the most celebrated works in the genre of Shama'il. It stands uniquely amongst the works of Qadi Iyad as his most celebrated effort with many surviving manuscripts and commentaries found throughout the Islamic world. Shama'il is a genre of works that deals with the life, characteristics, and descriptions of the Prophet ﷺ and his station. Al-Shifa, as it is called for short, stands alone as perhaps the most thorough work in this genre, dealing with both the descriptions of the Prophet ﷺ, his station and his perfections, and with the rulings pertaining to one’s belief and treatment of him ﷺ. It is exhaustive in its treatment of the subject, expounding on topics that range from Allah’s praise of the Prophet ﷺ and his status and station before Him, to the obligation of loving him and what that entails. In short, the uniqueness of this work can be attributed to its holistic coverage of the Messenger ﷺ.

The Prophet's ﷺ Night Journey and Heavenly Ascent

Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki

About The Book Shaykh Muhammad 'Alawi al-Maliki delivers an absorbing account of the Isra' wal-Mi'raj that brings the reader almost into the story. Indeed it is a detailed narrative spiced with a simple commentary that attempts to reconcile various accounts or reports of the event that transpired. This provides a comprehensive reading that takes the reader on an experiential ride to feel the reality of this extraordinary miracle of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. In short, it is very inspiring; exhilarating to the spiritual core. "Praise be to Allah Who chose His praiseworthy servant Muhammad ﷺ for the Message, distinguished him with the night journey on the lightening-mount Buraq, and caused him to ascend the ladders of perfection to the high heavens to show him of the greatest signs of his Lord. He raised him until he reached the Lote-tree of the Farthest Boundary where ends the science of every Messenger-Prophet and every Angel Brought Near, where lies the Garden of Retreat, to the point that he heard the sound of the pens that write what has befallen and what is to befall."

Clarity Amidst Confusion (On the) Effect of Magic on the Prophet

Mohammad Jamili

About The Book Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah have, historically, been accused of utilizing weak narrations for their stances; but these assertions have been emphatically refuted, time and again, until the present time. However, we are now experiencing an age where sound narrations, specifically from the two Sahih collections of Imams Bukhari and Muslim, have been brought under scrutiny by certain individuals based on whims and cultural issues. There is no problem in such occurrences when the critique is raised by someone who is an expert in the field and raises issues that are acceptable in the science - such as Imam ad-Daraqutni, may Allah have mercy on him, even though his contentions have been refuted. Today, many of the points raised against these sound narrations are not acceptable according to the standards of the science. Rather, they are merely conjectures posed with little insight into the standards necessary to even raise an objection. Therefore, it is extremely important for the Muslim to be cautious and not fooled by so-called “intellectual” or “scientific” conjectures that are raised against the religion and are not in accordance with the method and practice of the scholars of Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah. – Excerpt taken from the book. Contents: Acknowledgements    7 Transliteration Table      8 Introduction    9 Bukhari and Muslim    13 The Narration of Two Parties Separating after a Transaction   14 Magic    21 Is Magic Real?    23 The Ruling on Magic     28 Hadith of Labid b. al - A'sam   31 The narrators of the hadith    37 Some of the general comments regarding the hadith    39 Abu Bakr al-Jassas   43 Undermining Prophethood    47 Demons Cannot Harm Prophets    59 Moses and the Magicians of Pharaoh    61 A Magician will Never be Successful    65 A Prophet cannot be Bewitched     69 Ahad and Matawatirah    75 Surat al Falaq     81 Abu Mansur al Maturidi    85 Conclusion   91 Bibliography   93

The Fiqh of Fasting: An English Explanation of Kitab al-Siyam from BaFadl’s al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah

Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Rahman Bafadl al-Hadrami

About The Book Fasting is one of Islam’s five pillars, and thus, it is a very significant devotional act in the life of every Muslim. Once a year, the Muslims who are able observe this sacred duty. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is an act by which its correct performance draws one near to the Creator, the Almighty Lord of the Worlds. Knowing how to perform this ritual is of utmost importance. The Fiqh of Fasting is an explanation of Kitab al-Siyam from ‘Abd Allah b. 'Abd al-Rahman BaFadl's Masa'il al-Ta'lim. This book brings forth some of the most important legal issues on the topic of fasting. The explanation takes from the Shafi'i Madhhab's relied-upon reference works, such as Ibn Hajar’s Tuhfah, Ramli’s Nihayah, and others. Along with citing from the fiqh books, many source evidences are presented. The Muqaddimah Al-Hadramiyyah of al-Imam 'Abd-Allah Ibn 'Abd-al-Rahman BaFadl al-Hadrami (d. 918 H) is a summary of the essentials of worship according to the Shafi'i Fiqh. The Muqaddimah provides the student with further rulings and scenarios extending on those encountered in previous text such as Mukhtasar al-Latif and Matn Abi Shuja'. 

Revelation: The Story of Muhammad Peace be upon him

Meraj Mohiuddin

 NOTE: This item will be back in stock shortly in January 2025 Meraj Mohiuddin is a Harvard-trained physician with a background in neuroscience. He has spent the past 12 years writing a comprehensive textbook for motivated students and busy professionals who are looking to rekindle their relationship with the Prophet and the Qur'an. Dr. Mohiuddin is also a teacher and writer who is specifically interested in examining how modern discoveries in human cognition and behavior may deepen our understanding of classical Islamic thought.   Prophetic biography is one of the most important of our religion’s sciences, and this new addition to the increasingly rich and varied literature now available in the English language is both useful and accurate in its presentation and content. Drawing from several existing works of Sirah, this novel textbook format with copious images, maps, and diagrams will help visually-oriented readers to better grasp certain aspects of the Sirah. Prophetic biographies are especially valuable when taught to Muslims at an early age so they know better the mercy, wisdom, struggle and beauty of our Prophet, peace be upon him. This book should help to that end. — Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, President & Co-Founder - Zaytuna College The first textbook of its kind in the English-speaking world, Revelation draws on the most authoritative sources to present a detailed yet refreshing guide to the life of the Prophet and the story of Qur'anic revelation.    THE BOOK AT A GLANCE SIRAH TEXTBOOK Discover how complex forces shaped the Prophet's life. Each segment of the Sirah is presented in a refreshingly succinct and high yield approach that guarantees mastery of the most authoritative sources of the Prophetic biography. COMMENTARY POINTS Examine the very best commentaries on important and challenging topics by a diverse array of respected scholars and authors including Hamza Yusuf, Tariq Ramadan, Karen Armstrong, Adil Salahi, and Reza Aslan. QUR’ANIC VERSES Experience the Qur'an unfold, with 400+ verses that are chronologically woven into an authentic narrative of Prophet Muhammad’s life (pbuh). GLOSSARY OF NAMES Connect the dots with an extensive glossary of 400+ entries that highlight each individual, their relationship with others, and the role they played.        FIGURES & VISUAL AIDES Retain critical details with the help of 90+ original figures (maps, family trees, and information graphics) that simplify complex material and boost retention.  SIRAH TIMELINE & STUDY PLAN Memorize the Sirah timeline in 10 minutes with an innovative system that bypasses years of rote memorization. Access a 30-day study plan that will lead to mastery of the Prophet's life.      

The Beginning of Guidance (Bidayat al-Hidaya)

al-Ghazali

The Beginning of Guidance (Bidāyat al-Hidāya) is Imam al-Ghazālī's concise manual for those setting out on the path of guidance, built on the foundation of God-consciousness (taqwa). Imam al-Ghazālī teaches that just as this noble path has an end, it also has a beginning, and that beginning must be made firm if the seeker is to succeed. The work lays out, with clarity and warmth, the fundamentals a believer needs to start well and continue steadily.The manual is structured as a detailed daily timetable, moving through the etiquette of waking, purification, prayer, and sleep, and extending to the etiquette of Friday and of fasting. It is divided into three main sections: obedience, refraining from disobedience, and the etiquette of companionship with the Creator and with creation. Within these, Imam al-Ghazālī addresses matters such as guarding the eyes and ears, and cautions against faults like lying, breaking promises, backbiting, quarrelsome argument, and self-praise.This White Thread Press edition, published in 2010 and running 171 pages, presents the translation for the first time alongside the facing Arabic text, with extensive notes and transliteration provided for the supplications contained in the work. It is a fitting companion for readers beginning a structured study of character and practice, and is used as a set text in the SeekersGuidance curriculum on spirituality, sunna, and good character.

The Quran Beheld: An English Translation From The Arabic

About The Book This work solves an enigma that has puzzled many readers first coming to Islam through English translations of the Quran. The Arabic original stunned hearers in their own language with its unutterable evocative power, incisive arguments, the sharp relief of its contrasts, striking imagery, and precise detail. Most translations stun few. They seem somehow out of focus, vague, the thread of discourse is often inexplicably lost, and they are seldom moving or powerful. The present work is called The Quran Beheld because its translator found that the classical Islamic curriculum for learning the Quranic sciences lifts the veil from the divine masterpiece like stepping from a dark and silent house into a lively spring day outside. Everything changes. A preface outlines the Quran’s continued relevance for readers today. An introduction describes the time-honored Quranic teaching paradigm and interpretive method of talaqqi, ‘one-on-one instruction,’ by which the translator studied the Quran with a traditional scholar in Jordan during the fifteen years of the work. The two went word by word through the Quran together twice, in the light of its greatest exegetes, the Imams of Quranic exegesis or tafsir, which literally means ‘uncovering’—men such as Tabari, Zamakhshari, Abu Su‘ud, Ibn ‘Ashur, Biqa‘i, Razi, Alusi, and others. The introduction explains seven key areas of meaning, ubiquitous throughout the Quran, not incorporated by any previous translation. Such gaps have prevented serious apprehension of many of the themes, logic, and arguments that carry the message of the Quran’s suras forward. Readers may judge for themselves how much this matters. The English of the translation faces the Arabic original, and is preceded by a section setting forth the main themes of the Quran, sura by sura. About The Author Shaykh NUH HA MIM KELLER was born in eastern Washington State in 1954. He read philosophy at Gonzaga University, the University of Chicago, and UCLA, entered Islam in 1977 at al-Azhar in Cairo, and moved to Jordan in 1980. A scholar of traditional Islamic sciences who studied with sheikhs in Jordan and Syria, he has produced such works as Reliance of the Traveller, Sea Without Shore, and the Chain of Gold edition of Dala’il al-Khayrat. He is a senior fellow at the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought.     For more details please visit the Quran Beheld Website.  

Towards Sacred Activism

Dawud Walid

Towards Sacred Activism is a short, focused work by Imam Dawud Walid that speaks directly to a question many Muslims in the West carry quietly: how does one engage in social justice work without losing the sacred thread that should run through it? In just 75 pages, Imam Walid offers concise, general guidance on this engagement from an Islamic perspective, arguing that true activism is not a borrowed cause but part of the sacred duty to support a just life for all of Allah's creation.This is not a lengthy treatise but a compact, practical companion — the kind of book you finish in an afternoon and return to when the work of standing for justice feels disconnected from faith. Imam Zaid Shakir of Zaytuna College has called it a valuable addition to the English Islamic literature available to readers today, and its brevity is part of its purpose: clarity over comprehensiveness, principle over polemic.Published by Al-Madina Institute in 2018 as a paperback, it suits readers who want grounding rather than exhaustive argument — students, community organizers, and anyone looking to root their activism in something older and steadier than the moment's headlines.

Allah: An Explanation of the Divine Names and Attributes

Ahmad ibn Ajiba

This slim work by Ahmad Ibn Ajiba takes up one of the central subjects in Islamic belief: the divine names and attributes of Allah. At just 73 pages, it is not meant to overwhelm but to orient — a concise explanation intended for the reader who wants to begin, or deepen, their grounding in this foundational area of `aqidah.The translation is the work of Abdul Aziz Suraqah, who renders Ibn Ajiba's explanation into accessible English without losing its careful, traditional bearing. This paperback edition was published by Al-Madina Institute in 2015, and its brevity makes it a natural companion for study circles or personal reading alongside longer works on the subject.For readers building a library on Allah's names and attributes, this book earns its place not through length but through focus — a short, serious treatment from a scholar within the tradition, suited to those who want the substance without the sprawl.

Our Lady Fatima al-Zahra (R.A.)

Muhammad Abduh Yamani

Our Lady Fatima al-Zahra (R.A.) presents the life and virtues of Sayyidatunā Fāṭima al-Zahra, may Allah be pleased with her, the beloved daughter of the Prophet ﷺ. Written by Muhammad Abduh Yamani, the book traces her closeness to her father, her devoted care for him, and her role in preserving his lineage through her marriage to Imam Ali and her motherhood of Imams Hasan and Husayn.Readers will find a narrative that draws out her character and standing within the Prophet's household, offering a portrait of a woman whose life continues to hold deep meaning for Muslims. The style is accessible enough to be read and appreciated by children as well as older readers, making it a work that can be shared across generations within a single household.This edition from Ihya Publishing has been translated by Khalid Williams and is presented as a 320-page hardcover bound in vegan leather, giving it a durable and dignified presentation suited to a work on such a revered figure in Islamic history.

Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart

Muhammad Mawlud

Every tradition of sacred learning eventually turns its attention inward, and this is Shaykh Hamza Yusuf's contribution to that turning. *Purification of the Heart* is his translation and commentary on Imam al-Mawlud's poem *Matharat al-Qulub*, a work that treats the heart as the true origin of human suffering and, rightly tended, the seat of its cure.Across roughly twenty-five diseases of the heart — miserliness, envy, hatred, arrogance among them — Shaykh Hamza Yusuf walks through the signs, symptoms, and prescribed remedies laid out in the original poem, offering practical means toward real spiritual transformation rather than abstract theorizing. Readers have described the language as demanding, the kind of book that rewards more than one sitting and repays the effort with deeper understanding each time.This Sandala edition runs 220 pages and is also available in an iBooks digital edition, useful for readers who want it close at hand for the slower, returning kind of reading this subject asks for. For anyone drawn to the classical concern with the "Greater Jihad" — the struggle against the self — this is a fitting place to begin, and one worth keeping within reach long after the first reading.

Muhammad His Character and Beauty : Wasa'il Al-wusul Ila Shama'il al-rasul

Yusuf al-Nabhani

This is a book about what the Prophet ﷺ looked like, how he spoke, laughed, and carried himself — the classical shamā'il genre gathered into a single, careful compendium. Compiled by Shaykh Yusuf ibn Isma'il al-Nabahani, it moves through his lineage and names, then through chapters on the beauty of his form, the character of his eyes, hair, and natural fragrance, his voice, his laughter and weeping, his speech and silence, his strength, and his dress — drawn, as the shamā'il tradition is, from the classical literature on his qualities and miracles.This English edition is translated by Abdul Aziz Suraqah. Yahya Rhodus of Al-Maqasid has praised the work itself for how eloquently it explores the Prophet's ﷺ persona, and separately welcomed its arrival in English. One description of the book calls it a work that combines scholarly erudition with mystic love for its subject, and reading it, one can see why.At 272 pages, it is substantial enough to sit with slowly, a chapter at a time, rather than read in one sitting. For readers who want to know the Messenger ﷺ not only through his teachings but through the details of his person — his manner, his bearing, the small human particulars preserved by those who knew him — this is a fitting place to begin.

Ascent to Felicity (Maraqi 'lSa'adat)

al-Shurunbulali

About The Book Written by the eminent 11th century Hanafi scholar, Abu ’l-Ikhlas al-Shurunbulali, Ascent to Felicity is a concise yet comprehensive primer in creed and jurisprudence. It spans all five pillars of Islam, as well as the topics of slaughtering, ritual sacrifice, and hunting. To supplement the text, the translator has added key explanatory notes taken from several reliable works on theology and jurisprudence. He has also added appendices that comprise numerous supplications related to the five pillars, presented in Arabic script along with English transliteration, as well as the etiquette of visiting the Messenger of Allāh (Allah bless him peace) in Madina. “An admirable rendering into lucid, fluid English of Imam Hasan al-Shurunbulali’s primer of Hanafi law, Ascent to Felicity. This concise but thorough work focuses on the five acts of worship. The book has the added feature of a fairly detailed presentation of the basics of the Muslim Creed. In translating this introductory section of Imam Shurunbulali’s treatise, Khan’s skill as a translator is on full display, as he has made sometimes involved theological concepts easily accessible to the average English reader. Khan has provided an additional service to both Shurunbulali’s work and to contemporary Muslims by augmenting the translation with insightful and extremely useful explanatory notes. The value of this work, skillfully produced by White Thread Press, goes far beyond its benefit to adherents of the Hanafi legal school. Rather, it will prove of benefit to Muslims in general as well as researchers interested in latter-day presentations of the creed andpractice of Sunni Muslims.” — Imam Zaid Shakir Co-Founder and Resident Scholar, Zaytuna College “This book is an important contribution to the growing, but still small, corpus of traditional Islamic texts available in English translation.” — Dr Ingrid Mattson President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) “Essential for any student of the Hanafī School. . . makes key concepts of the Hanafi school easily accessible to teachers, students, and readers.”— Dr. Ashraf Muneeb Dean of Academy, Sunnipath.com “An excellent primer in Islamic beliefs and worship. . . more useful as a first complete text for those seeking understanding of the fiqh of worship than the more commonly-studied Nur al-Idah.” —Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Educational Director, Seekersguidance.com “Aside from the flowing translation, the most impressive thing about this work for me is the comprehensive collection of nuanced notes. These serve to capture the wide range of issues one grapples with, but might never find the right answer to, in the process of his or her purification, prayer, fasting and other acts of worship. An extremely engaging and educational read.” — Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Scholar, ZamZamAcademy.com

Food Between Curse and Cure: Islam, Health, and the Good Life

Abu Munir al-Shaar

About The Book Few people exemplify service to the Muslims like Abu Munir, a Syrian man who spent his entire life in service, including the century’s foremost scholars and sages, like Sheikh 'Abd al-Rahman as-Shagouri, Sheikh Mustafa at-Turkmani, and Sheikh as-Shukri (May Allah have mercy upon them all), until their very last breath. Amidst war-torn Syrian civil unrest, he fled to Jordan where he would discover his cancer diagnosis of leukemia. While battling leukemia, he was introduced to functional, integrative, and traditional physicians who guided him to an optimal diet and lifestyle, helping his cancer remain in remission. With the intention of benefiting the community (umma) of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), he compiled the words and wisdom he obtained into the present book. He and his team of clinicians began seeing patients and, with the will of Allah Most High, they were cured of their chronic diseases: diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, seizures, obesity, and more. Chronic disease is sabotaging our health, and the current medical model is leaving patients sicker than ever on multiple pills with multiple side effects. Patients are depressed with no guidance. The advice provided in this book will cure 90% of medical conditions in the physical realm through addressing the root cause while providing readers the real cure in the spiritual realm through augmenting one's relationship with Allah Most High. A certified physician assistant (PA-C) with a background in the Arabic sciences, the translator researched, compiled, and added upon Abu Munir's work for the western audience, providing a balance of mental, physical, and spiritual health to achieve, in words of the Koran, "the good life" (hayat tayyiba).

Riyad al-Salihin [English Commentary] 3 Volume Set

al-Nawawi

Riyad al-Salihin, "The Meadows of the Righteous," is Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi's celebrated compilation of Qur'anic verses and prophetic hadith on righteous conduct. Drawing on hadiths from the six canonical compilations, the work is arranged thematically, opening with the author's introduction and moving through chapters on sincerity and intention, repentance, patience, truthfulness, and vigilant self-watchfulness, before turning to piety, certainty and reliance upon Allah, steadfastness, and the virtue of hastening toward good. Later chapters address striving in worship, moderation in devotion, holding fast to the Prophetic ﷺ way, the danger of innovation, and the mutual duties believers owe one another, including enjoining good, forbidding wrong, sincere counsel, and fulfilling trusts.This edition, translated by Moulana Afzal Ismail, presents the text in English with accompanying commentary, making the collection accessible to readers seeking to study its guidance in depth rather than merely consult it. The three-volume set covers hadiths 1 through 1896 and includes the Arabic text alongside the translation, allowing readers to engage with al-Nawawi's original wording while benefiting from explanatory notes.Together, the volumes offer a structured path through the chapters of righteous character that al-Nawawi assembled, suited to sustained study, teaching, or gradual personal reading.

The Virtues of Seclusion in Times of Confusion

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi

This work by Shaykh 'Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulusi takes up a theme that feels as relevant now as when he wrote it: the value of seclusion, physically and virtually, as a protective measure during times of confusion and strife. Its original title, Takmil al-Nu'ut fi luzum al-buyut, translates literally as "The Perfection of Good Qualities Through Remaining in One's Home," and that is precisely its concern.Translated by Abdul Aziz Suraqah and published by Ibriz Media in 2017, this edition brings the work to English readers. Dr. Shadee Elmasry has praised the translation, and separately spoken to the book's goal of putting an exclamation point on the importance of seclusion while building a nuanced, scholarly understanding of the matter, rather than a simplistic one.For anyone trying to think clearly about how much of the world to let in — what to watch, whom to keep close, when to step back — this is a grounded companion, rooted in the words of a scholar who took the question seriously. It doesn't rush past the matter; it asks the reader to sit with it.