New Releases by Ibn

Muhammad b. e~Umar al-Waqidi was a Muslim scholar, born in Medina in the 1st Century. Of his several writings the most significant is the Kitab al-Maghazi, one of the earliest standard histories of the life of the Prophet. Translated into English for the first time, Rizwi Faizer makes available this key text to a new, English-speaking audience. It includes an "Introduction" authored jointly by Rizwi Faizer and Andrew Rippin and a carefully prepared index. The book deals with the events of the Prophete(tm)s life from the time of his emigration from Mecca to his death, and is generally considered to be biographical. Bringing together events in the Prophete(tm)s life with appropriate passages of Qure(tm)an in a considered sequence, the author presents an interpretation of Islam that existed in his times. It includes citations from the Qure(tm)n, as well as poetry that appears to have been inspired by activities during his life. This English translation of a seminal text on the life of Muhammad is an invaluable addition to the existing literature, and will be of great significance to students and scholars in the field of Islamic studies, Islamic history, Medieval history and Arabic literature.

For the first time, this book presents the original Arabic texts of Abd al-Ghan al-N bulus s letters, along with selected translations and fresh insights into the culture of correspondence, postal history, and main theological debates in the early modern period of Islam.

Beginning with biographical notes on the wives of the Prophet ﷺ, Ibn Asakir takes the reader through a remarkable collection of hadith describing the virtues of the ‘Mothers of the Believers’, an appellation invested on the wives of the Propheﷺ by the Qur’anic text itself.

"The Imam-caliph Al-Mu''izz li Din Allah, founder of Cairo, transformed the emergent Fatimid state from a regional power of limited influence to an impressive Mediterranean empire whose authority extended from the shores of the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. His vision and dynamism contributed to the high watermark of Fatimid success in establishing a Shi''I empire, which contributed to the cultural and intellectual efflorescence of the Muslim world [...] The writings of the erudite 15th Mamluk scholar Taqi al-Din al-Maqrizi, presented here for the first time in English, document this Fatimid triumph of the Shi''i, and provide one of the most comprehensive accounts of the era [...] In this text , the only complete history of the Fatimids written by a medieval Sunni historian, al-Maqrizi demonstrates a critical discernment regarding the value and limitations of his sources that is unusual among medieval Muslim historians of the time." -- book jacket.

Objective and illuminating, this treatise, written by Sufi leader Muhyiddin Ibn ''Arabi, presents a fundamental analysis of spiritual practice. Underscoring the importance of silence, seclusion, hunger, and vigilance, this guide demonstrates that these activities are both physical and spiritual. Providing the necessary tools for an enlightened life, this dual-language edition incorporates the first critical edition of the Arabic text, gathered from the best-surviving manuscripts. An introduction, and translation of chapter 53 of the renowned Futuhat al-Makkiyya, are also included.

A collection of 101 hadith sayings, this work is one of the most important and influential early collections of hadith qudsi. Falling into three categories, the first 40 sayings each have a full, unbroken chain of transmission that goes back to God through the medium of the Prophet Muhammad. The second category are sayings mostly taken from well-known written collections. The final section is drawn from similar books, with Ibn ''Arabi adding one extra hadith, orally transmitted. Comprised of a full introduction explaining the meaning of Hadith, the text stresses the importance of this tradition in Ibn ''Arabi''s writing.

A collection of the long-unavailable tafasir, or commentaries on the Qur''an, which help to properly explain and contextualize the revelation, this series aims to make leading exegetical works--in translation, unabridged, and faithful to the letter and meaning of the Arabic--widely available for study and research. One of the most pivotal works for understanding the environment that influenced the development of Qur''anic exegesis, this volume--originally written by Abdullah Ibn ''Abbas and Ibn Ya''qub al-Firuzabadi--offers valuable insight into the circulation and exchange of popular ideas between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity during the formative phase of Islamic exegesis. In addition, the work avoids elaborate theological, philosophical, and grammatical explanations, making it easily accessible to nonspecialists.

The Hanbali School of Law and Ibn Taymiyyahprovides a valuable account of the development of Hanbalite jurisprudence, placing the theoretical and conceptual parameters of this tradition within the grasp of the interested reader. Studying the vibrant yet controversial interaction between Ibn Taymiyyah and the Hanbali School of law, this book assesses to what extent this relationship was a conflict or reconciliation. The author takes a detailed exploration of the following issues: the strength of contributions made to this School by earlier paragons associated with Ahmad Ibn Hanbal the contextual constructs which shaped the tradition’s development the methodology and literature synonyms within the classical School the manner by which Ibn Taymiyyah engaged with the Hanbali tradition the impact of his thought upon the later expression of the School’s legal doctrines and its theoretical principles the contribution made by this School in general to the synthesis of Islamic law. Giving background material to the Hanbali School of law, this book is a vital reference work for those with interests in Islamic law, the history of the Hanbalite tradition and its principle luminaries.

Through the story of the universal tree, representing the complete human being, and the four birds, representing the four essential aspects of existence, Ibn ''Arabi explains his teaching on the nature and meaning of union with God. Providing an excellent initiation into the often complex works of Ibn ''Arabi, this brief, delightful tale is the first English translation of an important, early work, complete with Arabic text, commentary, and notes.

D.S. Richards translates the historian Ibn-al-Athir''s writings for the period 1146-1193 (years 541-589).

This is an English translation of the Risala, letters by the 10th century scholar Ibn Fadlan, one of the great medieval travellers. He journeyed from Baghdad to Bukhara in Central Asia and then continued across the desert to the town of Bulghar, near present Kazan. He describes the tribes he met on his way.

Ibn al-Farid (d. 632/1235) has long been venerated as a Sufi saint and poet whose verse stands as a high point in Arabic poetry. Several of his poems became religious and literary classics, among them the al-Khamriyah or Wine Ode. Perhaps the first and certainly the most influential commentary on this poem was the Sharh Khamriyat Ibn al-Farid by Dawud al-Qaysari (d. ca. 748/1347). Al-Qaysari was a direct spiritual descendent of the great Sufi master Ibn al-`Arabi (d. 637/1240), whose disciples read and reflected on Ibn al-Farids verse as part of their mystical studies. Al-Qaysari prefaces his commentary with a thoughtful essay on love, its various types, and their effects within creation. He then turns to a verse by verse commentary of the Wine-Ode in order to reveal the subtle, mystical meanings of Ibn al-Farids celebrated poem. The Wine of Love & Life by Th. Emil Homerin makes available for the first time the full Arabic edition and English translation of al-Qaysaris master-work of Sufi theology.

Kitab al-Amwal (The Book of Revenue) is the work of a brilliant legal mind. Abu Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam provides us with an accurate record of legal precedents laid down in the first two centuries of Islam, in particular those pertaining to the sources of revenue and the avenues of public expenditure. The power of the book, however, lies in the method of the author and the analysis undertaken by him. He gathers together the traditions of the Prophet (pbuh), the opinions of his companions and the views of eminent jurists, and then subjects them to legal analysis that is unparalleled in Islamic legal literature. The book is essential for every student of Islamic law, especially those who wish to master the art of interpreting and analyzing legal traditions and early precedents. In the discipline known as fiqh al-sunnah, there is no book or manual that can compete with this outstanding work.

"The continuation of our acclaimed English translation of Les Iluminations de la Meque. Volume II contains more of the "Greatest Shaykh''s" wisdom for the first time in English. Subjects include: the gnostic and the sacred law, the mystic properties of the Quranic letters, the secrets of Forgiveness and the attainment of Divine Nearness."--Publisher''s website.

"Umar Ibn al-Farid is the most venerated mystical poet in Arabic. An accomplished Sufi as well as a respected poet, his poetry blends the two traditions - classical Arabic poetry and Islamic mysticism - in a body of work with a distinctly devotional and mystical character. Th. Emil Homerin makes available here two of Ibn al-Farid''s poems that have long been considered classics of Islamic mystical literature. The Wine Ode, a poem in praise of wine as well as a love poem, can also be seen as an extended meditation on the presence of divine love in the universe. The Poem of the Sufi Way, one of the longest poems ever composed in Arabic, and the most famous one rhyming in "T," begins as a love poem and then explores a number of crucial concerns confronting the seeker on the Sufi path. Both works have been treated for centuries in numerous mystical commentaries. Noteworthy as well in this volume is the addition of the Adorned Proem, a reverential account of Ibn al-Farid''s life by his grandson. Individuals interested in the fields of mysticism and spirituality, as well as lovers of poetry, particularly love poetry, will find this to be fascinating reading. It will have great relevance for scholars and students of Arabic literature, Islam and mysticism."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The Royal Crown (or, "A Crown for the King" in Slavitt''s translation) is the greatest of Gabirol''s poems. Its theme is the problem of the human predicament: the frailty of man and his proclivity to sin, in tension with a benign providence that must leave room for the operation of man''s free will and also make available to him the means of penitence. The Royal Crown is still printed in prayerbooks of the Sephardic rite for the Day of Atonement, and among North African Jewish communities (and their offshoots in Israel and elsewhere) it is read communally before the morning service of the Day. In northern Europe and the West this custom has lapsed, however the Royal Crown is still used for private penitential reading.

Medicine of the Prophet is a combination of religious and medical information, providing advice and guidance on the two aims of medicine - the preservation and restoration of health - in careful conformity with the teachings of Islam as enshrined in the Qur''an and the hadith, or sayings of the Prophet. Written in the fourteenth century by the renowned theologian Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (d. 751AH/1350AD) as part of his work Zad al-Ma''ad, this book is a mine of information on the customs and sayings of the Prophet, as well as on herbal and medical practices current at the time of the author. In bringing together these two aspects, Ibn Qayyim has produced a concise summary of how the Prophet''s guidance and teaching can be followed, as well as how health, sickness and cures were viewed by Muslims in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The original Arabic text offers an authoritative compendium of Islamic medicine and still enjoys much popularity in the Muslim world. This English translation is a more complete presentation than has previously been available and includes verification of all hadith references. Medicine of the Prophet will appeal not only to those interested in alternative systems of health and medicine, but also to people wishing to acquaint themselves with, or increase their knowledge of, hadith and the religion and culture of Islam.

Analysis of the 13th century essay, arguing for the reality of demons and demonic possession.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.