The Book of Islamic Dynasties presents in one concise volume an introduction to the many great Islamic dynasties that have arisen, shone and faded – like stars in the firmament – but have left the Muslim world all the richer. The subtitle, A Celebration of Islamic History and Culture, reflects the importance of the inspiring cultural legacies bequeathed to us by our Muslim ancestors and the enormous contributions made by Muslims to world civilization.

Filled with beautiful hand painted illustrations to bring the text to life. This book will be a pleasure to read for both adolescents and adults and will insha’Allah enable the reader to better comprehend the complexities of life in today’s Dar al-Islam.

Luqman Nagy was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with graduate degrees in Library Science and Education and subsequently pursued Middle Eastern language studies at Ankara University (Turkish), Pahlavi [Shiraz] University (Persian), and Umm al-Qur’a University, Makkah (Arabic). Since 1970, he has traveled the length and breadth of Dar al-Islam several times always in search of traditional Islamic societies. He currently resides with his family in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia where he teaches at King Fahd University.

Darussalam is proud to present the abridged English translation of the classic work: Al-Bidayah wan Nihayah, which covers the Caliphate of Bani Umayyah. It starts from the rule of Mu’awiyah bin Abi Sufyan in the 41st year of Hijrah upto the rule of Caliph Marwan Al-Himar in year 132 of the Hijrah.

The Umayyad Caliphate ?(c. 661-750 CE/41-132 AH) was the second of the four major Islamic caliphates established after the death of Rasulallah. Although the Umayyad family originally came from the city of Makkah, their capital was Damascus. At its greatest extent, it covered more than five million square miles (13,000,000 km2), making it one of the largest empires the world had yet seen, and the seventh largest contiguous empire ever to exist.

THIS OUTSTANDING BIOGRAPHY explores the life and deeds of the legendary warrior-monarch- Saladin. Based on a lifetime of study by Stanley Lane-Poole, who was able to access the rich and colourful chronicles of Arab historians, this should be required reading for anyone interested in the history of the Middle East and the Crusades.

STANLEY LANE-POOLE was an eminent historian who specialised in studies of the Middle East. His works included The Moors in Spain, The Art of the Saracens in Egypt and Cairo. Dr David Nicolle is an acknowledged expert on medieval military history, specialising in the Middle East.