Philosophy

Frithjof Schuon

New Translation with selected letters

Kamar Oniah Kamaruzaman

The Works and Contributions of Abu-Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni

This book shows that the basic principles of the science of comparative religion (religionswissenschaft) were laid down by al-Biruni. The focus in this thesis is on the relevant works of al-Biruni, with particular attention given to his methodology and ite relevance to contemporary Religionswissenschaft.

Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas

This book deals with the fundamental question of the nature of ‘worldview’ according to Islam – a question that has never been raised in our time. The author proposes that the nature of the worldview of Islam is not merely the mind’s view of the physical world and of man’s historical, social, political and cultural involvement in it, as has been understood in the minds of secular, contemporary Muslim scholars generally, and particularly those preoccupied with the social and political sciences, but it should bear upon the Muslims’ ideas about ‘change’, ‘development’, and ‘progress’.

How current this tenth century tale is for both the young and the old of today! It addresses environmental and animal rights issues with charming efficacy. A Muslim Sufi work of the 10th century Iraq, translated by a rabbi into Hebrew, and rendered into Latin for a Christian king is now translated from the popular Hebrew version by Jews into English, edited by a Christian and illustrated exquisitely by a Muslims woman from India under the patronage of a Saudi princess. This is a true interfaith and multi-cultural title!

In this fable, eloquent representative of all members of the Animal Kingdom — from horses to bees — come before the respected Spirit King to complain of the dreadful treatment they have suffered at the hands of humankind. During the ensuing trail, where both humans and animals testify before the king, both sides argue their points ingeniously, deftly illustrating the validity of both sides of the ecology debate.

Contents:

Gate One: The enslavement of the beast by the human and how beast brought suit against humanity in the Court of the King of the Spirits

Gate Two: The Consultation of the King with his ministers, sages and judges; the secret gathering of the humans by themselves; and of the animals by themselves

Gate Three: The beast send emissaries to the other species to ask for help in their lawsuit against the humans

Gate Four: The dispute between the animals and the humans at King Bersaf’s Court, and the arguments made there by both parties

Gate Five: The conclusion of the lawsuit and the verdict of King Bersaf’s

Concluding Prayer

Abu Nasr al-Farabi

Mabadi ara’ ahl al-madinat al-fadilah

This is one of the books in the Great Books of the Islamic World series. It is an annotated, critical translation of al-Farabi’s Principles of the Views of the Citizens of the Best State.

Al-Farabi was one of the foremost thinkers in Islamic civilization who lived in the third Islamic century.

Martin Lings

“With a poet’s pen, a metaphysician’s mind and a saint’s concerns, Dr Lings has left us a profound posthumous farewell letter, filled with poignant insights gleaned from a lifetime of devotion, contemplation and concern about the human condition. He did in his life what he is urging the rest of us to do: return to the spirit.” — Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

Contents:

How Did I Come to Put First Things First?

Do the Religions Contradict One Another?

Why “With All Thy Mind”?

What is the Spiritual Significance of Tears and of Laughter?

What is the Spiritual Significance of Civilization?

What is the Quranic Doctrine of the Afterlife and How is it Related to Sufism?

Notes

In Memorium

* Note: Martin Lings, Sidi Abu Bakr Siraj ad-Deen, passed away in May 2005.

Al-Fatiha.

Martin Lings
“With a poet’s pen, a metaphysician’s mind and a saint’s concerns, Dr Lings has left us a profound posthumous farewell letter, filled with poignant insights gleaned from a lifetime of devotion, contemplation and concern about the human condition. He did in his life what he is urging the rest of us to do: return to the spirit.” — Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

Contents:

How Did I Come to Put First Things First?

Do the Religions Contradict One Another?

Why “With All Thy Mind”?

What is the Spiritual Significance of Tears and of Laughter?

What is the Spiritual Significance of Civilization?

What is the Quranic Doctrine of the Afterlife and How is it Related to Sufism?

Notes

In Memorium

* Note: Martin Lings, Sidi Abu Bakr Siraj ad-Deen, passed away in May 2005. Al-Fatiha.

Wael Hallaq
An Introduction to Sunni Usul al-Fiqh