Category: History

History

Book Review: Rediscovering the Islamic Classics

Ayah Aboelela Ibn Taymiyyah. Ibn Khaldun. Al-Tabari. These are some of the most famous names that come to mind when we think of classical Muslim scholars and writers. But did you know that less than two hundred years ago, their names and works were rarely mentioned in contemporary mainstream Muslim scholarship? In Rediscovering the Islamic Classics,[1]  Ahmed El Shamsy studies how the widespread use of … Continue reading Book Review: Rediscovering the Islamic Classics

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Gender, History

Women and Education in the Historical Muslim World

Ayah Aboelela “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim”. This narration from the Prophet ﷺ is one of dozens of hadiths that emphasize the value of education in Islam. It is no wonder, then, that education has always been a central component of every Muslim society in history. Today, our ummah owes much to our foremothers and forefathers who used whatever means they had … Continue reading Women and Education in the Historical Muslim World

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History, Literature

Book List: The Bosnian Genocide

Note: This article and the books mentioned contain graphic references to acts of violence. عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ الظُّلْمَ ظُلُمَاتٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection.” [1] Despite popular sloganeering of the phrase ‘Never Again’, genocide has not … Continue reading Book List: The Bosnian Genocide

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Gender, History

The women of Tuggurt in their houses: Framings of women’s liberation in Algeria

Sabrina Amrane Shortly after he rose to power, former President of Algeria Houari Boumediene visited Tuggurt, a city more than 600km south of Algiers. His arrival is documented on film, where you can see him carefully step down from a private plane and then wave from a Lincoln town car, followed by dozens of police Vespas. When looking closely at the black-and-white montage, one can … Continue reading The women of Tuggurt in their houses: Framings of women’s liberation in Algeria

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History

Barakah – The Black Woman who Rocked the Prophet’s Cradle

Aishah A. When asked to illustrate examples of social cohesion and absence of racism in the Islamic faith, Muslims will often point to the example of Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him: an Ethiopian slave who went on to become one of the foremost Companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the first muaddhin of Islam. However, less frequently mentioned is Barakah bint Tha’labah: a … Continue reading Barakah – The Black Woman who Rocked the Prophet’s Cradle

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