General Islamic Books

The quran elevates the position of woman as a daughter, sister, wife, and mother, and in all these positions she enjoys all the social, economic, legal, religious and educational rights of man. The Prophet, by his teaching and practice, as explained before, fully established woman, in all the above roles, as a full fledged member of society, enjoying equal rights and status with man; and contributing equaly with him, if not more, to the growth and development of society and enrichment of human culture. This, however, in no way implies a similarity or uniformity in their functions as well. Both enjoy equal status and equal rights as humans and as co-partners in life. But in the field of work, their functions in general are of a different nature and scope, being mainly determined by their natural physical, physiological, physiological and emotional disposition. In this respect, it may be pointed out that dissimilarity and non-comformity in functions do not in any way reflect the inferiority or superiority of etheir sex. It is merely a division of work between them according to their natural abilities, aptitudes, capacities and endowments.

This compelling and beautifully researched book clarifies the rulings on singing and music and the harm they inflict on the heart, the individual, the family, and the ummah. It warns Muslims about the danger of these matters, which causes corruption and immorality. These things turn people away from the Qur’an, worship, and obedience – the keys to the beautification and serenity of the heart; the removal of all worries and distress; and happiness in this world and the next.

What does Islam say about poetry, singing, musical instruments, musicians, and the business of music? How have Muslim societies historically looked at these questions and how have their attitudes changed in the media age? Why have mosques remained music-free while churches have not? What is the truth about the much-publicized €œmusic controversy€ in Islam? Why did Sufis call sama as the slippery stone? These are some of the questions explored in-depth in Slippery Stone: An Inquiry into Islam’s Stance on Music.

Of late, increasing attempts are being made to promote €œIslamic music,€ and the distinction between what is allowed and what is not has become hazy and unclear for many. This book demystifies the issue of music in Islam by going to original source books in Arabic, many of them brought to light for the first time in the English language. It traces the attitudes of the Muslim society about music and the musician throughout its history and quotes extensively from the deliberations of the Qur’an and Hadith scholars and jurists from all schools of Islamic Law, both Sunni and Shi’ah. Separate chapters are devoted to a discussion of the views of Sufi masters as well as the arguments of Ibn Hazm.

It examines in considerable depth the impact of colonialism and the media revolution (beginning with the gramophone) on the attitudes of Muslim societies regarding music. It also subjects the works of Orientalists to a scrutiny that was overdue.

By referring to it as a slippery stone, Sufis vividly pointed out the dangers associated with this enterprise and emphasized the need for caution. History is filled with the corpses of those who fell off the slippery stone by ignoring this advice. Combining historic, cultural, and jurisprudential perspectives this book brings the truth of that metaphor into sharp relief.

More than six hundred references and more than a hundred twenty biographical notes on the authorities quoted add to the value of a discussion that is comprehensive without being boring, and detailed without being confusing. This book has left no stone unturned in its examination of the slippery stone.

One of the most popular and influential Arabic books of the Middle Ages, Deliverance Follows Adversity is an anthology of stories and anecdotes designed to console and encourage the afflicted. Regarded as a pattern-book of Arabic storytelling, this collection shows how God’s providence works through His creatures to rescue them from tribulations ranging from religious persecution and medical emergencies to political skullduggery and romantic woes.