Category: Book Reviews
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‘Kashmir in the Aftermath of Partition’: A Book Review
Shahla Hussain’s work, Kashmir in the Aftermath of Partition, presents a fresh perspective on post-partition Kashmir, moving beyond political and ideological narratives. The book highlights the diverse meanings of “Azaadi” (freedom) throughout history, amplifying the voices of local Kashmiris who share a collective sense of Kashmiri identity that transcends national boundaries. It explores the entwined…
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Reflections on the Palestinian Struggle: A Comprehensive Exploration by Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi
“Muslims and the Palestinian Cause” by Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi provides a profound exploration of the Palestinian struggle, intertwining Quranic wisdom, historical context, and contemporary observations. This review aims to illuminate the key themes and contributions Shaykh Nadwi brings forth, shedding light on the challenges faced by the Palestinian people.
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The Lure of Excess: A Review of Aldous Huxley’s ‘The Brave New World’
Published in 1932, Aldous Huxley’s fictional microcosm within Brave New World is set in the novel’s “year of stability,” 632 years after the commercial advent of American car magnate Henry Ford (d.1947). Ford’s widely successful Model T was the first automobile manufactured solely through mass-production using methods such as the conveyor belt assembly process. Ford…
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The Limits of Sin in Fantasy: A Book Review of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in published Muslamic fiction: fiction written by Muslims that depicts Muslim characters and culture. But, while realistic Muslamic fiction has taken the lead, fantasy — especially historical fantasy — has fallen behind. So when S.A. Chakraborty, author of the Daevabad Trilogy, published The Adventures of…
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A Book Review of ‘The Case Against The Sexual Revolution’
Perry’s book is a powerful critique of the sexual revolution, charting its negative impact on Western society. Throughout my reading, I could not help being struck by the raw honesty and piercing insight of her words. In her analysis, Perry exposes the damage inflicted upon the traditional family structure and the values that underpin it,…
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A Book Review of ‘Infamies of the Soul and Their Treatments’
Matters of the body are relatively straightforward: if an organ or limb or tissue is afflicted, medical expertise is sought, and then one hopes for an effective treatment, perhaps in the form of a pill or medical procedure. Humans understand the consequences and pain of neglecting a physical ailment. We intuitively recognize the necessity of…
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Mustafa Briggs’ Beyond Bilal
A Book Review of Beyond Bilal by Mustafa Briggs How did the Yoruba, an ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria, become Muslim? How did Islam gain such widespread prominence throughout Black Africa? Growing up as a Muslim Nigerian-American, these were questions I had from a very young age. In masajid halaqat (spiritual gatherings in mosques to…
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Ramadan Book Recommendations 2023
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.
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Soetsu Yanagi: ‘The Beauty of Everyday Things’
“The Beauty of Everyday Things,” is a compilation of writings by Soetsu Yanagi (1889 – 1961), an art historian and philosopher of religion, who founded the Mingei (民芸) movement of Japanese folk art, inspired by the beautifully hand-crafted objects created by ordinary and often unknown artisans for everyday use. [1] Influenced by John Ruskin and William Morris, his…
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Critiquing Modernity: Book Recommendations 2022
The twentieth century and the rise of nation-states and commensurate isms, have propelled societies into an era that is driven by abandonment of God, ethic, and a cohesive worldview that perpetuates meaning. The following list was prepared to give readers the tools to better understand, critique, and provide solutions for the malaise of modernity.