Drawing on a wide variety of religious traditions, Cantwell Smith addresses how, why, and with what implications our understanding of the terms faith and belief has altered with time.
The first book in this inspiring volume is Ghazali's spiritual autobiography. The second work sets out Ghazali's views on how religious individuals should conduct their lives on a daily basis.
Discussions of the Arab world, particularly the Gulf States, increasingly focus on sectarianism and autocratic rule. These features are often attributed to the dominance of monarchs, Islamists, oil, a
From Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance to The Motorcycle Diaries, to be a biker is to be on the road to the meaning of life. What would the existentialists have to say about facing death on a
One of greatest Persian writers of both classical prose and poetry, Sa'di was revered in his time as a man of great wisdom and passion. Filled with extracts of the poet's melodious and insightful writ
In this collection of Greenfeld's essays, we see her tackle the topic of nationalism from an array of angles, each giving us a unique perspective on what Einstein called 'the measles of mankind'. Cove
From the introduction of Greek philosophy in the eighth century to modern times, this book charts the evolution and interaction of philosophy, theology, and mysticism in the Islamic context.
Few historical figures are more central to the affairs of the present than Muhammad, and few religions have sought acknowledgement of their Prophet more avidly than Islam from Christians.Bringing a c
Contrary to popular opinion, the bulk of Islamic law does not come from the Qur'an but rather from hadith, first-hand reports of the prophet Muhammad's words and deeds, passed from generation to gener
Tang Shuxiu and her husband are on an 800-mile train journey from Beijing to Shifang, where they believe their only child has perished in a recent earthquake. Three days after the event, Tang is too d
By pairing a scholar of Islamic law with a scholar of Jewish law, a unique dynamic is created. This new perspective not only provides a deeper understanding of the other’s legal tradition, but it also
Central to Islamic practice and law, the term hadith is applied to first-hand reports of the Prophet Muhammad's words and deeds, passed from generation to generation. Informative and accessible, this
Central to Islamic practice and law, the term hadith is applied to first-hand reports of the Prophet Muhammad's words and deeds, passed from generation to generation. Informative and accessible, this
From the time of the Crusades to the present day, the relationship between Islam and the West has been one of conflict and misunderstanding. The prejudices conceived over a thousand years ago survive
Our tissues, genes, and organs are becoming, in the words of the head of one pharmaceutical company, 'the currency of the future'. From the trafficking of women for their eggs to 'beauty junkies', Dic
Mark Vernon takes his inspiration from 42 of the funniest, wisest, and quirkiest quotations about the big questions in life, and uses these as starting points for his brilliant observations. In each c
Grand theories in psychology, you might think, have been out of fashion for quite some time. However, since its inception in the early 1980s, reversal theory has attracted a great deal of professional
A lighthearted guide to scientific conundrums shares accessible information on a wide variety of topics from the possible causes of the Big Bang and the mysterious fate of odd socks to what would happ
This challenging new book reviews the ethics at the heart of the Islamic legal system, and suggests that these laws have been misinterpreted by certain sources in an attempt to control women.
Francesca Caccini. Barbara Strozzi. Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre. Marianna Martines. Fanny Hensel. Clara Schumann. Lili Boulanger. Elizabeth Maconchy.Great composers all, but their musical legacy is
On September 19, 1989, 170 people were killed when UTA Flight 772 was destroyed by a suitcase bomb planted by Libyan agents. Despite being one of the deadliest terror attacks in history, outside Franc
Throughout history female composers have been subjected to ludicrous criticisms, had their sex lives scrutinized and the veracity of their authorship questioned. Fanny Mendelssohn, who established one
Visually arresting and symbolically rich, the phenomenon of truck decoration is one of the most distinguishing features of Pakistani culture. Considered much more than simply a means of transport, alm
"A Terrifying and deeply moving account of a man and a country still brutalized by the politics of fear." Clive Stafford Smith, Director of Reprieve and author of Bad Men: Guantanamo Bay and the secr
What is the future of culture in the 21st century? A compendium of some of the world's most prominent and diverse thinkers, this volume gathers together a broad range of answers from the perspectives
From political leaders and human rights activists to rap musicians and NBA basketball stars, this diverse collection of mini-biographies documents the contributions of fifty male and fifty female Musl
The only book written specifically for sufferers, as well as their carers and loved ones, this empowering book takes a sensitive and understanding approach to schizophrenia, providing all the informat
The first translation available in English of a key work by the twelfth-century Muslim philosopher Averroes, which reveals his controversial views about reason, religion, and humankind's relationship
An exploration of key texts representing the use of three particular literary elements in the Hebrew Bible: narrative text; sermons; prayers and speeches.
This comprehensive study explores the central role of prayer through the ages, from ancient indigenous prayer rituals to today's large-scale public worship.
The rich mystical tradition of the Near and Middle East is the fascinating subject of this wide-ranging study by Dr Margaret Smith, a renowned writer in this field. Her book explores the relationship
"The book, built on interviews with many participants, is well-reported and consistently heartbreaking.... a useful work of advocacy, calling attention to a terrible traffic in human misery.""-- Kirku
Sir Walter Ralegh’s life is romantic, irresistible and of central importance to Great Britain's island story. His death is a convoluted and contested tale of bargaining, failure and betrayal. Through
Democracies are being gamed. Authoritarian governments, moneyed elites and fringe hackers are exploiting our digital infrastructure and the vulnerabilities in our democratic system to influence our po
From sex slaves to drug mules, The Daily Beast's Rome Bureau Chief uncovers a terrifying and intricate web of criminal activity right on Europe’s doorstep.Caught between Camorra gunrunners selling to
"The popular understanding of nutrition is clouded by superstitions, primitive intuitions, conspiracy theories, and old wives' tales. This irreverent and intelligent expose brings sanity and good sens
