ILS Podcast: Conversation with Matthew Carr. Darwin’s Savages.
Islamic Metaphysics of Racism by Imam Dawud Walid.
Al-Andalus to Gaza: Reading Al-Rundī’s Riṯāʾ al-Andalus in Light of Muslim Rulers’ Political Failures and Betrayal
What’s New
What went wrong with the Muslim response to the Rushdie affair
What is known as the Rushdie affair is an outgrowth of the publication of Salman Rushdie’s book The Satanic Verses in September 1988 by Viking Penguin. It has been haunting the global Muslim population since then. The book sparked outrage and triggered large protests which led to street riots, deaths…
In Focus
Featured Book Review:
Beyond Timbuktu: An Intellectual History of Muslim West Africa.
“Islamic West Africa has enjoyed a rich tradition of learning since its earliest encounters with Islam. Kane (2016, p. 18) “traces the development of Islamic education” in the chapter titled The Growth and Political Economy of Islamic Scholarship in Bilad al-Sudan. This section highlights how African scholars established educational institutions comparable to other universities in the Muslim world. Kane references numerous writers, historians, travelers, geographers, and poets, including Abd Allah Abd al-Aziz al-Bakri (d. 1094), author of Kitab al-Masalik wa’l-Mamalik (The Book of Routes and Realms). He also mentions the Muslim African poet Al-Kanami, who composed the following lines in praise of the Almohad ruler Ya’qub al-Mansur:
“He removed his veil but my eyes, out of awe, saw him through a veil; his favour drew me near but being near, out of awe, I found myself distant…”
In Review
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…Podcast: Chat With Matthew Carr. Blood and Faith: The Purging of Muslim Spain, 1492-1614
Blood and Faith: The Purging of Muslim Spain, 1492-1614 Join me, your host Abdul Hai, as we dive into the gripping story of the Muslims of Spain and their fate…
“Issue 3, Out now!”
Dive into this issue’s reflections — a deep contemplation on the current state of the Muslim Ummah. From exploring Egypt as the “Mother of the World,” to examining the challenges faced by Muslim psychotherapists and reflecting on the enduring ink of our scholars — and, of course, the resilience of Palestine — this issue covers all that and more.
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.
Explore Issue 2 of ILS Digest Quarterly!
Delve into our second issue, featuring a book recommendation, thought-provoking essays, powerful stories, a deep look into the true meaning of poetry, and much more. Download now to read, share, and join the conversation.
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”
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!
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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!