Category: Book Reviews
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Liquid Identities, Solid Critiques: Review of Zygmunt Bauman’s ‘Culture in a Liquid Modern World’
Zygmunt Bauman’s “Culture in a Liquid Modern World” explores the transition from solid to liquid modernity, reflecting on how cultural practices transform amidst globalization and technological change. Bauman emphasizes the precarious nature of identity, diasporas, and art, advocating for cultural protection that transcends national borders while acknowledging the complexities of modern existence and institutional pressures.
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Post-Liberal Musings of John Gray: A Book Review of The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism
A Book Review of The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism by John Gray Borrowing the title from R.G. Collingwood’s classic, The New Leviathan (1942), English Philosopher John Gray structured his work, The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism, around Thomas Hobbes’ seminal work Leviathan (1651), which laid the foundation of the ‘social contract’ tradition used to justify…
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Pain is Dead and Other Truisms
Byung-Chul Han’s “The Palliative Society” critiques contemporary society’s aversion to pain, labeling it “algophobia.” He argues that this fear leads to superficiality and a loss of meaning, urging a confrontation with discomfort.
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Islamic History through a ‘Civilizational Perspective’: Reading Alexander Knysh’s ‘Islam in Historical Perspective’
Professor Alexander Knysh’s ‘Islam in Historical Perspective’ (2025) offers an extensive analysis of Islamic history, thought, and practice. Spanning 24 chapters, the book employs a civilizational approach, exploring diverse interpretations and modern challenges, while providing insights into the multifaceted nature of Islam, making it an essential resource for readers seeking deeper understanding.
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Negotiating Allegiances: Muslim Universities in the Making of Postcolonial India
Laurence Gautier’s “Between Nation and Community” examines Muslim universities in post-colonial India, especially Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University, as crucial spaces for identity negotiation and nation-building, addressing communal anxieties while fostering secularism and pluralism amidst political complexities.
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Islam and Democracy in the Twenty-first Century
Tauseef Parray’s recent study, “Islam and Democracy in the Twenty-First Century,” offers a comprehensive examination of the relationship between Islam and democracy. The book comprises seven chapters, excluding the introduction, drawing from the insights of thinkers and scholars from the nineteenth to twenty-first century, particularly those from Arab and South Asian regions. Despite recognizing elements…
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From Darkness to Light
God gave humanity a special kind of life, unique from the attribute of life associated with the rest of His creation to test their ability to submit to His Will and act in conformance to His Command. This temporary life is punctuated by death, and then the afterlife, where one will reap what they sowed—virtue,…
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Vultures in the House of Silence: A Masterpiece of Islamic Fantasy
In the ever-evolving landscape of fantasy literature, A. R. Latif’s “Vultures in the House of Silence” emerges as a groundbreaking work, poised to become the “Harry Potter” of the burgeoning Islamic fantasy genre. Set against the backdrop of the Arabian peninsula in the aftermath of the Mongol invasion—one of history’s most catastrophic events—this novel incorporates…
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Islamic Fiction and Crafting a Muslim Hero: A Book Review of Blood of the Levant
Defining a “Muslim” or “Islamic” fiction genre can be challenging due to considerations of permissibility, creativity, and purpose. Omar Braun, the protagonist of Abdullah Yousef’s debut novel, Blood of the Levant, exemplifies this perfectly. The world of Blood of the Levant is part historical-fiction and part military fiction, with a dose of fantasy.
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Ramadan Book Recommendations 2024
This list was compiled in the hopes of facilitating a closer connection with Allah ﷻ, His Book, and aid in perfecting our worship. May Allah ﷻ forgive our shortcomings and enable us to make the most of this blessed month. It is intended to supplement our recommended reads from previous years and covers the spiritual,…