The Azhar Sheikhs


Book Description

Lose yourself in three sexy sheikh romances. Book One: The Sheikh's Fake Fiancée After losing her parents, American artist Elena set out on a trip around the world. Now, in the sultry heat of the Middle East, she’s having a hard time imagining returning to real life back home. But with half of her vacation still ahead of her, she and her friend are packed and ready to move onto their next destination... when a chance encounter changes everything. A dark, handsome stranger with a devilish grin catches Elena’s eye, but how could she know that an innocent favor is about to change her life forever? Sheikh Asim always relies on his intuition...with business and with women. Along with his brothers, he works hard to keep their company profitable, but he prefers to live in the moment. With pressure mounting from his mother to settle down and marry a family friend, Asim needs an escape. He’s enchanted by the beguiling American beauty he sees at the café, and she couldn’t have come along at a better time. But when he asks her to be his fake fiancée, he never could have known she would change his life forever. The two waste no time coming together, but when the spontaneity wears off and Elena learns of an unexpected complication, will Asim be ready to face the future? Book Two: The Sheikh's Pregnant Fling Matchmaker Cassandra is a pro at finding her clients that perfect person—but unfortunately her talent doesn’t extend to her own love life. She's too busy for romance, and she’s guarded her heart ever since her parents’ nasty divorce. So a man like Nasir seems the perfect choice for a casual fling—handsome, successful, and not interested in a relationship. But things get complicated quickly when Cassandra realizes not only that Nasir is her new client…but that she’s pregnant with his child. Nasir has always been a dutiful son. Like his brothers, he gives his all to the family business, which leaves little time for love. His mother, though, is eager for her sons to settle down. When she drags him to a matchmaker, Nasir can hardly believe that Cassandra is the woman hired to find him a wife. After the unforgettable night of passion they shared, Nasir isn’t sure how to react. But Cassandra seems determined to keep things professional, and before Nasir knows it, she’s arranged his first date. Nasir is soon caught up in business and blind dates, and yet he can’t get Cassandra off his mind. Although Cassandra is convinced she’s not the woman he wants, Nasir has other ideas. But with a baby on the way and pressure mounting from Nasir’s mother, will her fear of repeating the past stand in the way of a perfect future? Book Three: The Sheikh's Surprise Triplets Juliette’s life is work—she’s ruthless, determined, and has built a reputation for helping difficult CEOs achieve their maximum potential. When she’s scouted by the royal Azhar family to assist the head of their tech division, Sheikh Basri Azhar, she’s eager for the challenge. The company is at a critical juncture, and it will be up to Juliette to keep the brash, young CEO on track. Shouldn’t be a problem—until Juliette meets Basri. He’s handsome, charismatic, and much harder to manage than she could have imagined. But Juliette won’t back down. She’s never met a boss she couldn’t tame. Basri’s new assistant is like a force of nature. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and disciplined…and Basri has to constantly remind himself to keep it professional. But after weeks of Juliette trying to bend him to her will, Basri decides he has other plans…




Islamic Reform and Conservatism


Book Description

The famed reform debates at al-Azhar Madrasa in nineteenth-century Cairo, one of the most influential centres of religious study in Sunni Islam, were enormously influential for twentieth-century Islamic thought. Here Indira Gesink offers a revisionist history of these debates over curricular and administrative reforms, and challenges our understanding of the struggle between Islamic reform and conservatism. It has been assumed that famous Islamic modernists such as Muhammad 'Abduh instigated the reform movement and the ideas of modern religious life that emanated from al-Azhar and permeated Islamic society, a development that religious conservatives opposed. Gesink draws on obscure, but important, archival sources, legal manuals and ephemeral journals to tell the other side of the story, and to illustrate the important contributions of conservative scholars to the evolution of twentieth-century Sunni Islam. Conservative 'opponents of reform' engaged many of the same issues as reformers and actively pursued alternative visions of reform. In fact, texts of enacted reforms show greater attention to concerns of conservatives than to the original programmes of Muhammad 'Abduh, and conservatives led 'ulama committees that generated and implemented reforms. Had religious conservatives not contributed to the reforms of the early twentieth century, these reforms would have lacked the crucial cultural assonance that permitted them to become rooted in public life, in an environment of rising nationalist anti-British sentiment which saw 'Abduh as a willing agent of colonialists. The debates ultimately catalyzed public acceptance of secularism, Islamic modernism and radical Islamism. They also led to the practice of lay legal interpretation, the proliferation of competing interpretations within Sunni Islam and the rise of militant sects. By drawing on obscure archival sources and restoring conservative voices to the debate, 'Islamic Reform and Conservatism' presents a more nuanced picture of the al-Azhar debates and the forces that shaped Islamic religious life in the twentieth century than has become the norm. Its original scholarship and fresh analysis make this book indispensable for all those interested in the modern Middle East, religious history, Islamic studies, radical Islam and militancy, secularism, modernism and religious reform.




Al-Ghazali's "Moderation in Belief"


Book Description

Centuries after his death, al-Ghazali remains one of the most influential figures of the Islamic intellectual tradition. Although he is best known for his Incoherence of the Philosophers, Moderation in Belief is his most profound work of philosophical theology. In it, he offers what scholars consider to be the best defense of the Ash'arite school of Islamic theology that gained acceptance within orthodox Sunni theology in the twelfth century, though he also diverges from Ash'arism with his more rationalist approach to the Quran. Together with The Incoherence of the Philosophers, Moderation in Belief informs many subsequent theological debates, and its influence extends beyond the Islamic tradition, informing broader questions within Western philosophical and theological thought. The first complete English-language edition of Moderation in Belief, this new annotated translation by Aladdin M. Yaqub draws on the most esteemed critical editions of the Arabic texts and offers detailed commentary that analyzes and reconstructs the arguments found in the work’s four treatises. Explanations of the historical and intellectual background of the texts also enable readers with a limited knowledge of classical Arabic to fully explore al-Ghazali and this foundational text for the first time. With the recent resurgence of interest in Islamic philosophy and the conflict between philosophy and religion, this new translation will be a welcome addition to the scholarship.




Reassurance for the Seeker


Book Description

This book is a unique collection of 40 Prophetic Traditions by one of the most celebrated teachers and spiritual masters of the Azhar Mosque, Sunni Islam's leading institution of knowledge and its most authoritative voice. It provides a glimpse into the scholarly and spiritual traditions of Islam carried forth into our day. Some may have concluded that the saints and sages of Islam ended with such names as Rumi and Ibn Arabi. The knowledge and spiritual depth reached in past centuries does, in fact, continue into the present day. The book includes a biography of the author, a description of his main teachers, and a beautiful treatise by the author's main teacher on a single Prophetic statement in which the Prophet summarizes his own spiritual states. This volume also deals with death, the afterlife, the waking visions of the Prophet, his ability to pray for and intercede for those alive, and nearness to and friendship with God.




Islam and the Foundations of Political Power


Book Description

The translation of an essay first published in Egypt in 1925, which took the contemporaries of its author by storm. At a time when the Muslim world was in great turmoil over the question of the abolition of the caliphate by Mustapha Kamal Ataturk in Turke




Muslims of Europe


Book Description

The interchange between Muslims and Europe has a long and complicated history, dating back to before the idea of 'Europe' was born, and the earliest years of Islam. There has been a Muslim presence on the European continent before, but never has it been so significant, particularly in Western Europe. With more Muslims in Europe than in many countries of the Muslim world, they have found themselves in the position of challenging what it means to be a European in a secular society of the 21st century. At the same time, the European context has caused many Muslims to re-think what is essential to them in religious terms in their new reality.In this work, H.A. Hellyer analyses the prospects for a European future where pluralism is accepted within unified societies, and the presence of a Muslim community that is of Europe, not simply in it.




A Guide to Conclusive Proofs for the Principles of Belief


Book Description

This is a translation of the work known as "al-Irshad" (The Guide), a classic text of Islamic theology. Its author, Iman al-Haramayn al-Juwayni, here sets out systematically what he considers the sure proofs for the principles of any discourse about God.




Evolution of Metal Casting Technologies


Book Description

This book provides an overview of metal casting technologies starting from its historical evolution to casting design strategies that are being followed today in foundries and other metal casting industries. The details of most of the casting processes and their applications are also included for completeness. Foundry practices such as mold materials and molding techniques, pattern making and cores, furnaces, pouring, cleaning and heat treatment etc. are discussed in detail. Finally, current practices in casting design are demonstrated. Further developments in the field through computational methods and virtual reality are also described.




ترجمة انكليزية لكتاب عمدة السالك وعدة الناسك


Book Description

This is a classic manual of fiqh rulings based on Shafi"i School of jurisprudence and includes original Arabic texts and translations from classic works of prominent Muslim scholars such as al Ghazali, al Nawawi, al Qurtubi, al Dhahabi and others. It is an indispensable reference for every Muslim or student of Islam who needs to research on Islamic rulings on daily Muslim life.




Reasoning with God


Book Description

In light of recent concern over Shari’ah, such as proposed laws to prohibit it in the United States and conflict over the role it should play in the new Egyptian constitution, many people are confused about the meaning of Shari‘ah in Islam and its role in the world today. In Reasoning with God, renowned Islamic scholar Khaled Abou El Fadl explains not only what Shari‘ah really means, but also the way it can revitalize and reengage contemporary Islam. After a prologue that provides an essential overview of Shari‘ah, Abou El Fadl explores the moral trajectory of Islam in today’s world. Weaving powerful personal stories with broader global examples, he shows the ways that some interpretations of Islam today have undermined its potential in peace and love. Rather than simply outlining challenges, however, the author provides constructive suggestions about how Muslims can reengage the ethical tradition of their faith through Shari‘ah. As the world’s second largest religion, Islam remains an important force on the global stage. Reasoning with God takes readers—both Muslim and non-Muslim—beyond superficial understandings of Shari‘ah to a deeper understanding of its meaning and potential.