Latest Book Reviews
Seven Types of Atheism.
What’s New
An Introductory Course in Crafting Poetry
Islam at the Crossroads
Epistemological Bias in the Physical and Social Sciences
Beyond Timbuktu: An Intellectual History of Muslim West Africa
Ahmed ibn Hanbal
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
Podcast: Chat With Matthew Carr. Blood and Faith: The Purging of Muslim Spain, 1492-1614
“Submissions for Issue 2, Volume 2, are now open.”
The Islamic Literary Society (ILS) is delighted to announce that submissions are now open for Issue 2, Volume 2 of The Other Word Journal, our international journal dedicated to creative writing.
We warmly invite writers and poets to share their voices with us. Whether you craft compelling short stories or weave lyrical poetry, we welcome your work in English, Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, and Bengali. Let your words find a home among kindred spirits.
For those submitting poetry, we encourage depth, rhythm, and resonance—words that stir the soul and echo beyond the page. Whether you write in free verse, ghazals, or sonnets, let your lines breathe life into emotion and thought. If you have a tale to tell, let it captivate, transport, and linger in the minds of readers.
We look forward to discovering your literary artistry!
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.
Unveil the inaugural issue of ILS Digest Quarterly, showcasing the latest book, compelling essays, and masterful translations of world literature. Download now to explore, 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”
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!
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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!