Latest Book Reviews

Beyond Timbuktu: An Intellectual History of Muslim West Africa

Reviewed by Abdul Hai “O Amir!!  When did you start enslaving people, when their mothers gave birth to them free?” Umar ibn Khattab (RA) “We missed the bus for industrial revolution, true but we missed the bus because the British Empire threw us under its wheels”. Dr Shashi Tharoor In a world often hostile to religion, particularly Islam, discussing Islam’s intellectual contributions…
Read Review Beyond Timbuktu: An Intellectual History of Muslim West Africa

Ahmed ibn Hanbal

Review by Abdul Hai Writing a historical biography of any significant figure is always challenging, particularly when it concerns a figure like Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal. Several challenges arise when…
Read Review Ahmed ibn Hanbal

Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe
    “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” ‘Things fall Apart Chinua Achebe Reviewed by Abdul Hai “Your new-caught, sullen peoples,    Half devil and half child..” The…
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Featured Book Review:

The Four Imams: Their Lives, Works, and Schools of Thought. Shaykh Muhammad Abu Zahra

“I love the righteous, although I’m not of them
Perhaps I shall receive intercession through them”

What is history if not the lives and deeds of those who came before us? Islamic civilization was not mere, as some might suggest, solely on the grandeur of its architecture or its literary legacy. Rather, it was the people who shaped the true Islamic civilization—their character, their pragmatic approach to life, and, perhaps most importantly, their unwavering commitment to Islam—that embodied the true essence of civilization.

Ahmed ibn Hanbal

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Review by Abdul Hai Writing a historical biography of any significant figure is always challenging, particularly when it concerns a figure like Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal. Several challenges arise when…

Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment:

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A Global and Historical Comparison AHMET T. KURU, San Diego State University Reviewed by Noor Mohammed Edward Said sagaciously mentions in his seminal work on Orientalism that economics, politics and…

The Misconception of Worship

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Maulana Sayed Abul A’la Maududi Translated by Bulbul-e-Bengal What would you say about a servant who, instead of performing his duties as ordered by his master, just stands in front…

Articles 

The Road to Mecca by Muhammad Asad (1900–1992) and Desert Encounter by Knud Valdemar Gylding Holmboe (1902–1931) are the works of two such passionate and ambitious young Europeans who traveled across the Muslim world. Both men, converts to Islam as well as established authors, documented their journeys in detail, describing the people, landscapes, and political atmospheres they encountered”

Publish Your Dissertation or Essay with the Islamic Literary Society!

Essay

Share your ideas and insights with a wider audience. The Islamic Literary Society is thrilled to offer an upcoming platform for scholars and thinkers to publish their work. This is your opportunity to contribute to a vibrant intellectual community, exchange ideas, and showcase your research. Stay tuned for more details—your work deserves to be seen!

Latest Updates

Literature and politics : Dr. S. Miah

The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Islamic Literary Society. Since we are critically thinking human beings, the views of the author may be subject to change, revision, and rethinking at any time.

Every step crafts a path into the unknown.

A short comparative look at two travel accounts: The Road to Mecca by Muhammad Asad (1900–1992) and Desert Encounter by Knud Valdemar Gylding Holmboe (1902–1931). The modern interaction between the West and the East began when Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) invaded Egypt in 1798. This invasion opened the doors for other European nations to explore the…

Beyond Timbuktu: An Intellectual History of Muslim West Africa

Reviewed by Abdul Hai “O Amir!!  When did you start enslaving people, when their mothers gave birth to them free?” Umar ibn Khattab (RA) “We missed the bus for industrial revolution, true but we missed the bus because the British Empire threw us under its wheels”. Dr Shashi Tharoor In a world often hostile to religion, particularly Islam, discussing Islam’s intellectual contributions…

A Short Introduction to Writing a Book Review by Dr. Shamim Miah

Tune in as Dr. Shamim unveils the five essential principles for crafting a standout book review! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, these core tips are the key to becoming a master reviewer. Sit back, take notes, and get ready to elevate your book reviewing game!

Ahmed ibn Hanbal

Review by Abdul Hai Writing a historical biography of any significant figure is always challenging, particularly when it concerns a figure like Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal. Several challenges arise when an author from outside the tradition attempts to craft a biography of someone whose religious beliefs they do not share. These challenges, no matter how…

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ILS BOOKS

“A poem of Miltonian proportions…”

Dr. Mahmoud Khalifa, South Valley University, Egypt

We are now pleased to announce our first publication authored by Hisham Hauari. It is an engaging poem that tells the tale of mankind from the beginning to the present. Though a true history, it is fused with an Islamic account of some things that may not be historically demonstrable.

The book evokes various emotions: a pleasure to read, interesting and also grim. The seeds of the idea to write an historical account of humanity had been sown in the author’s mind over a decade ago. The result is the culmination of a succinct book called The Chain.“

“ I would invite the reader to enjoy and appreciate the poem The Chain and benefit from the wisdom that it contains.”

Dr. Mahmudul Hasan, Assoc. Prof., International Islamic University, Malaysia

The Other Words International Journal.

We’re excited to unveil Volume 2, Issue 1 (2025) of Other Words: International Journal of Creative Writing!This issue takes you on a heartfelt journey through the emotions, experiences, and vibrant voices of our talented writers, highlighting the poetic brilliance within the Muslim community.Be inspired and transformed by the power of creative writing—a celebration of the human spirit and the enduring strength of words.

ILS Digest.

The Islamic Literary Society is thrilled to announce the launch of ILS Digest, a brand-new bimonthly publication! Each issue will dive deep into the world of books, publishing, and literary treasures, keeping readers, writers, and the general public up-to-date with the latest happenings in the world of literature.

Coming Soon – Stay Tuned!


The Islamic Literary Society app is here!!
Exciting news! The Islamic Literary Society app is here and ready to be downloaded! No need to search—just tap and dive into the rich heritage of Islamic literature!