This book list and describes the principle events from the birth of the prophet Muhammad (SAW) in 570 CE to the year 1000 CE (Common or Christian Era) Contemporary events from the history of the Byzantine and Persia empires are also included. Descriptions are purely factual and presented without interpretation or historical analysis, although background information explaining the significance of events is provided where necessary. Precise locations are given for places that may no longer exist or are known by a different name.

This revised edition of the chronology is a unique reference source for schools and university teachers and students. And for the general reader interested in Islamic history and culture.

The book also contains maps showing the extent of the Byzantine and Persian empires in 600 CE, the spread of Islam from 622 to 750 CE, the extent of the Muslim world in 1000 CE, and genealogical tables of the Umayyads (661 – 750 CE) and the Abassids (750 – 1258 CE).

The author also provides an explanation of both the Christian and the Islamic dating systems. A unique and concise reference source for both university teachers and students of Islamic studies and history.

Concise – Well structured – Excellent for quick reference

About the  author Dr. Rahman  Born in Lahore, was awarded a Ph.D by the University of Southampton and is presently teaching mathematics at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. He has been a consultant to the UK Atomic Energy Research Establishment and is author of numerous publications in the fields of mathematical nuclear physics and solid state physics. Dr.Rahman is a Chartered Physicist, a Member of the London Mathematical Society of Arts, London. In 1975, he received the Dictionary of International Biography’s Certificate of Merit, and in 1994, Dr.Rahman was made by special invitation an International Member of the American Association of the Advancement of Science.

Does any of us know this man or have any of us ever heard his name before? Most probably, the majority of us, if not all, have not heard his name mentioned before. I imagine that you wonder, who is Sa’iid Ibn `Aamir? Well, you are about to embark on a journey back in time so as to find out all that there is to be known about this “happy” (“Sa’iid” means “happy “) man, so fasten your seat belts.

In short, Sa’iid was one of the outstanding Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), notwithstanding the fact that his name was seldom, if ever, mentioned. He was one of the most distinguished unknown pious Companions. It was natural that he, like all Muslims, would accompany the Prophet (PBUH) in all his expeditions and battles, for as a believer, he could not lag or turn his back on Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) in peace or war time. Shortly before the Conquest of Khaibar, Sa’iid submitted himself to Islam. Ever since he embraced Islam and gave his allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH)), he consecrated his life, existence, and destiny to the service of Islam. All the great virtues of obedience, asceticism, dignity, humbleness, piety, and pride thrived harmoniously inside this pure and kind man.

In our attempt to unveil his greatness, we must bear in mind that, in most cases, appearance contrasts with reality. If we are to judge him by his outer looks, we will not do him justice, for he was definitely ill-favored as regards his appearance. He had dusty uncombed hair. Nothing in his looks or appearance distinguished him from poor Muslims. If we are to judge his reality by his appearance, we will see nothing impressive or breath-taking. But if we dive deep into his inner self beyond his outer appearance, we will see greatness in the full meaning of the word. His greatness stood aloof from the splendor and ornament of life. Yet, it lurked there beyond his modest appearance and worn-out garments. Have you ever seen a pearl hidden inside its shell? Well, he was much like this hidden pearl.

When the Commander of the Faithful `Umar Than Al- Khattaab dismissed Mu’aawiyah from his position as governor of Homs in Syria, he exerted himself in searching for someone who was qualified to take over his position.

Undoubtedly, `Umar’s standards of choice of governors and assistants were highly cautious, meticulous, and scrutinizing. He believed that if a governor committed a sin, error, or violation, two people would be asked to account for it before Allah: `Umar and the governor, even if this governor were in the farthest corner of the earth. His standards of estimation and evaluation of governors were highly subtle, alert, and perceiving. Centuries before the advent of Islam, Homs was a big city that witnessed, one after the other, the dawn and eclipse of many civilizations. besides, it was a vital trade center. The attractions of the vast city turned it into a place of seduction and temptation. In `Umar’s opinion only an ascetic, devout, and repentant worshiper would be able to resist and renounce its attractions.

`Umar suddenly realized that Sa’iid Ibn `Aamir was the man he was looking for and cried out, “Sa’iid Ibn `Aamir is the right man for this mission.” He summoned him. Sa’iid was offered the governorship by the Commander of the Faithful, but he refused saying, “Do not expose me to Fitnah (trials and affliction).” `Umar then cried out, “By Allah, I will not let you turn me down. Do you lay the burdens of your trusteeship and the caliphate upon my shoulders, then you refuse to help me out? ” Instantly, Sa’iid was convinced of the logic of `Umar’s words. Indeed, it was not fair to abandon or avoid their obligation towards their trusteeship and towards the caliphate and lay them on `Umar’s shoulders. Moreover, if people like Sa’iid Ibn `Aamir renounced the responsibility of rule, then `Umar would definitely have a hard time to find a man who was highly pious and righteous enough to be entrusted with such a mission.

Hence, Sa’iid traveled with his wife to Syria. They were newly wed. Ever since his bride was a little girl, she had been an exquisitely blooming beauty. `Umar gave him a considerable sum of money at the time of his departure.

When they settled down in Syria, his wife wanted to use this money, so she asked him to buy appropriate garments, upholstery, and furniture, and to save the rest of it. Sa’iid said to her, “I have a better idea. We are in a country with profitable trade and brisk markets, so it would be better to give this money to a merchant so as to invest it.” She said, “But if he loses it?” Sa’iid said, “I will make him a guarantee that the amount will be paid notwithstanding.” She answered, “All right then.”

Of course, Sa’iid went out and bought the necessities for an ascetic life, then gave all his money in voluntary charity in Allah’s cause to the poor and those in need. Time went by, and every now and then his wife would ask him about their money and their profits and he would answer, “It is a highly profitable trade.”

One day, she asked him the same question before one of his relatives who knew what he had done with the money. His relative smiled, then he could not help laughing in a way that made Sa’iid’s wife suspicious. Therefore, she prevailed on him to tell her the truth. He told her, “Sa’iid on that day gave all his money in voluntary charity in Allah’s cause.” Sa’iid’s wife was broken-hearted, for not only had she lost her last chance to buy what she wanted but also lost all their money. Sa’iid gazed at her sad, meek eyes glistening with tears that only added more charm and grace to her eyes; yet before he yielded to this fascinating figure, he perceived Paradise inhabited by his late friends and said, “I had companions who preceded me in ascending to Allah and you will not deviate from the path they have taken, not for the world.” He was afraid lest her excelling beauty should make her disobey him; therefore he said as if he were talking to himself, “You know that Paradise is filled with Houris, fair females with wide and lovely eyes as wives for the pious, who are extremely lovely. If one of them had a peep at the earth, she would illuminate it with her light that combines the light of both the earth and the moon. So you should not blame me if I chose to sacrifice your love for their love and not vice versa.” Throughout his talk, he was calm, pleased, and satisfied. His wife was peaceful, for she realized that she had no choice but to follow Sa`iid’s example and adopt herself to his rigid, ascetic, and pious way of life.

Homs at that time was called the second Kufa. The reason behind this was that its people were easily stirred and swayed to revolt against their governors. Homs was named after Al-Kufa in Iraq, which was notorious for endless mutiny and uprisings. Although, the people of Homs were given to mutiny, as we have already mentioned, Allah guided their hearts to His righteous slave Sa’iid. Thus, they loved and obeyed him.

One day, `Umar said to him, “I find it rather strange that the people of Syria love and obey you.” Sa’iid answered, “Maybe they love me because I help and sympathize with them.”

Despite the love of the people of Homs for Sa’iid, their innate rebellious disposition got the better of them. Hence, sounds of discontent and complaint began to be heard, thus proving that Homs was not called the second Kufa in vain. One day, as the Commander of the Faithful was visiting Homs, he asked its people who gathered around him for their opinion of Sa’iid. Some made complaints against him which were blessings in disguise, for they unveiled an impressively great man.

`Umar asked the criticizing group to state their complaints one by one. The representative of the group stood up and said, “We have four complaints against Sa’iid : First, he doesn’t come out of his house until the sun rises high and the day becomes hot. Second, he does not see anyone at night. Third, there  are two days in every month in which he doesn’t leave his house at all. Fourth, he faints every now and then, and this annoys us although he can’t help it.” The man sat down and `Umar was silent for while for he was secretly supplicating Allah saying, “Allah, I know that he is one of Your best slaves. Allah, I beseech You not to make me disappointed in him.” He summoned Sa’iid to defend himself. Sa’iid replied, “As for their complaint that I do not get out of my house before noon, by Allah I hate to explain the reason that made me do that, but I have to do so. The reason is that my wife does not have a servant, so I knead my dough, wait for it to rise, bake my bread, perform ablution and pray Duha, then I go out of my house.” `Umar’s face brightened as he said, “All praises and thanks be to Allah.” Then he urged him to refute the rest of the allegations. Sa’iid went on, ” As for their complaint that I do not meet anyone at night, by Allah, I hate to say the reason, but you force me to. Anyway, I have devoted the day to them and consecrated the night for Allah. As for the third complaint that they do not see me two days per month, well, I do not have a servant to wash my garment and I have no spare one. Therefore, I wash it and wait for it to dry shortly before sunset, then I go out of my house to meet them. My defense against the last complaint of the fainting fits is that I saw with my own eyes Khubaib Al-Ansaariy being slain in Makkah. The Quraish cut his body into small pieces and said, `Do you want to save yourself and see Muhammad in your place instead? He answered, `By Allah, I will not accept your offer of setting me free to return to my family safe and sound, even if you gave me all the splendors and ornaments of life in return for exposing the Prophet (PBUH) to the least annoyance, even if it was a prick of a thorn. Now, every time this scene of me standing there as a disbeliever, watching Khubaib being tortured to death and doing nothing to save him flickers in my mind, I find myself shaking with fear of Allah’s punishment and I faint.”

These were Sa’iid’s words which left his lips that were already wet from the flow of his pure and pious tears. The overjoyed `Umar could not help but cry Out, “All praises and thanks be to Allah Who would not make me disappointed in you!” He hugged Sa’iid and kissed his graceful and dignified forehead.

What a great guidance must have been bestowed on those outstanding men! What an excellent instructor Allah’s Prophet (PBUH) must have been! What a penetrating light must have emanated from Allah’s Book! What an inspiring and instructive school Islam must have been! I wonder if the earth can take in so much of the piety and righteousness of those fortunate men. I presume that if that happened, then we would no longer call it the earth but rather Paradise. Indeed the “Promised Paradise.”

Since it is not time for Paradise yet, it is only natural that those glorious superior men who pass by life are but few, very few. Sa’iid lbn `Aamir was definitely one of those superior Muslims.

His position allowed him a considerable salary, yet he took only enough money to buy the necessities for himself and his wife and gave the rest in voluntary charity in the way of Allah. One day, he was urged to spend this surplus on his family and relatives, yet he answered, “Why should I give it to my family and relatives? No, by Allah, I will not sell Allah’s pleasure to seek my kinfolks’ pleasure.”

He was later urged, “Spend more money on yourself and on your family and try to enjoy the lawful good things.” But he always answered, “I will not stay behind the foremost Muslims after I heard the Prophet (PBUH) say, `When Almighty Allah gathers all people on the Day of Reckoning, the poor believers will step forward in solemn procession. They will be asked to stop for reckoning but they will answer confidently: We have nothing to account for. Allah will say: My slaves said the truth. Hence, they will enter Paradise before all other people.”

In A.H. 20, Sa’iid met Allah with a pure record, pious heart, and honorable history. He yearned for so long to be among the foremost Muslims; in fact, he consecrated his life to fulfill their covenant and follow in their footsteps. He yearned for so long for his Prophet (PBUH) and instructor and his pure and repentant comrades. He left all the burdens, troubles, and hardships of life behind. He had nothing but his pious, ascetic, awesome, and great inner self. These virtues made the balance of good deeds heavy rather than light. He impressed the world with his qualities rather than with his conceit.

Peace be upon Sa’iid lbn `Aamir. Peace be upon his life and resurrection. Peace be upon the honorable and obedient Companions of the Prophet and blessings and peace be upon him.

The Handbook on Islam is one of the clearest and most comprehensive expositions of the fundamental sciences of the Life-Transaction (Deen) of Islam available in the English language. Originally written by Shaykh Uthman dan Fodio, the Islamic scholar and spiritual leader of the heroic jihad which founded the immense Sokoto Caliphate of West Africa in the early part of the 19th century.
Aisha Bewley’s translation manages to preserve the sense of immediacy, clarity and accessibility which is as much of a safe haven today in the vast jungle of excessive preoccupation with competing and conflicting detail, as it must have been in its original setting faced with the confusions of war and the urgent need to preserve the purity of the Deen for the common Muslims.

Topics discussed include: The roots of the Life Transactions, The science of fiqh, the science of tawhid, the science of tasawwuf.
Kitab ‘Usul ad-Deen , Al-Kitab Ulum al-Mu’amala, Song of Shaykh Malam an-Nasr al-Kibari, Kitab Masa’il al-Muhimma

Shaykh Uthman Dan Fodio

The Conclusive Argument from God” is one of the master works of Shah Wali Allah of Delhi, an important Muslim thinker of pre-modern South Asia. This work originally written in Arabic  represents a synthesis of the Islamic intellectual disciplines authoritative  in the 18th century.
In order to argue for the rational, ethical and spiritual basis for the implementation of the hadith injunctions of the prophet Muhammad, Shah Wali Allah developed a cohesive schema of the metaphysical, psychological and social knowledge of his time. This work provides an extensive and detailed picture of Muslim theology and interpretive strategies on the eve of the modern period and is still evoked by numerous contemporary Islamic movements.

In this Book Shah Wali Allah discusses matters of belief to social structure, from politics and statecraft to economy, from legal and juristic concepts to philosophical and metaphysical ideas. He addressed himself to the needs of this world but at the same time did not forget to respond to the requirements of ultimate success in the Hereafter.

SHAH WALIYULLAH (1702-1763)

Qutb al-Din Ahmad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahim, popularly known as Shah Wali Allah, lived at a critical juncture of Muslim history. India had enjoyed the peaceful and prosperous rule of the Mughals for more than 200 years, but by the time of Shah Wali Allah, mutually hostile principalities had begun to emerge. Many of the newly emerging quasi independent states were the result of the rising influence of the militant Maratha, Sikh and Hindu communities and Muslim power and glory in the sub-continent, as in other parts of the world, were gradually eroded. It was at this time of utter despair and despondency for Muslims that Shah Wali Allah was born.

He is  among the later scholars who carried the traditions of Al-Ghazzali and Imam Shatibi in combining the essential of Shari’ah, its understanding, development and interpretation to the issues and problems of life. He like Al-Ghazzali took deep stock of Akhira as the explaining point of the relationship between worldly existence and the Hereafter in a meaningful way.

English translation of “Sirat-i-Nu’man”
by Allamah Shibli Nu’mani
Translated by M Hadi Hussein
Paper Back 248 Pages

Allamah Shibli Nomani was a renowned Scholar and Historian and this Biography is well researched and Composed from authentic sources.

This book will show the qualities of a true Scholar one who understands Reality and deal with it rather than shun from it and seclude oneself from Society.

Imam Abu Hanifah is a True example to Scholars all over the World.

True spirit of Brotherhood, Solidarity and Mutual Respect between different Opinions.

Something that is missing in today’s world
They Spoke the Truth regardless of the consequences, in fact the majority of these learned men spent a great deal of Time in Jails as will be seen from this Biography as well as the Short Biographies featured on This site.