Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies

A nineteenth-century immigrant from Persia narrates tales about the 'manners, customs, and peculiarities' of his people. He depicts Persian social life, talks of the Shah and his court, and relates legends and tales from Persian history and literature.

This is a travel book of historic and literary research through transcaucasia and Northern Persia, with over 250 pictures depicting sites and daily life.

Ameer Ali Syed (1849-1928) was one of the most prominent "liberal" thinkers of modern Muslims. He says, "Throughout this work my object has been to discuss the Islamic teachings in a historical spirit and to develop among the latter day Islamists, a perception of the difference between ethics and ceremonialism."

Henri de Boulainvilliers, Count of Saint-Saire (1658-1722), wrote La Vie de Mahomet, in 1728. Boulainvilliers describes Muhammad as "an enlightened and wise lawgiver." In 1731, an English translation was made, from which this facsimile edition is produced.

No anthropologist has conducted fieldwork among the Mandaeans, not even in recent decades and therefore Drower remains a singular figure. Scholars, students, and aficionados regard her book as the work that brings the people alive.

Amedee Baillot de Guerville was one of the most talented travel writers at the turn of the last century. His New Egypt, translated from French, is a remarkable record of Egyptian life; social, economic, and political, during that period.

Young brings a fresh judgment on Egyptian nationalism, discovering ampler grounds for hope than his countrymen are wont to conceive. He enters the controversial field of the relations hereafter to be established between Britain, Egypt and the Sudan.

This book effectively argues for greater British involvement in Egypt. In 1920, Milner headed a commission to Egypt that recommended Egyptian independence, but the British Cabinet rejected the recommendation.

This book is one of the most reliable sources on the beginnings of Islamic statehood. It covers the wars of Prophet Muhammad, the ridda wars, the conquests of Syria, Armenia, Egypt, the Maghrib, and lastly, the occupation of Iraq and Persia.

History of Egypt from its legendary early beginnings until the seventh century, including the subsequent conquests of North Africa and Spain. Covers the judges of Egypt to 860, and a list of the companions of Mohammad and their Hadiths.

Unlike its predecessors, this book does not aim at being either an apology or an indictment of the Prophet of Islam. The author endeavors to do justice to Mohammad's intellectual ability and to regard him with the respectful attitude which his greatness deserves.

One of the first publications to tackle this subject, this book was widely read and used as a reference. The lectures cover the influence of Christianity on Islam, the relation of Christianity to Islamic theology, the expansion of Islam, the downfall of Christianity, and a look towards the future.

The book provides easy-to-use tables that translate the calendars of over sixty civilizations into the Julian and Gregorian calendars. An indispensable tool for scholars.

The story of a Christian missionary who lived for thirteen years amongst the Ishmaelites of Moab, Edom, and the great peninsula of Arabia. Forder says, “My story is a simple record of ventures just as they occurred, a transcript of personal experiences and beliefs. It is sent forth to what I believe is a sympathetic public.”

This book is the doctoral dissertation of Khalil Totah, one of the most reliable authorities on scientific education in Palestine during the mid-twentieth century. His work reflected on Palestinian education for many generations.

A collection of seven pre-Islamic Arabic poems, the Mu`llaqat form the most celebrated forms of poetry. A tool for students of Arabic literature, this book gives the Arabic text, a literal translation of these poems, and a commentary.

This charming collection of short stories is packed with humor, suspense, and shock, but is essentially serious. Through an array of interesting characters, Al-Khoury illuminates an extraordinary range of issues.

This monumental work, by the twelfth-century historian of religious and philosophical doctrines, aspired to present "the doctrinal opinions of all the world's people," i.e. to reveal the entirety of religions and philosophies, past or present.

This book stresses the need for unity among the believers of God: Jews, Muslims, and Christians. "We must read it – or rather we must travel with her, for truth guides her pen, as charity has guided her steps."--Prince de Polignac, Colonel of the French Army in Algiers (1897)

A compilation and translation of Arabic proverbs by an early 19th century traveler in Cairo, Egypt. Entries are arranged alphabetically in Arabic and by number. Cultural and figurative explanations are provided in English.

Layard relates fascinating tales of his adventures in Persia and Mesopotamia before the discovery of Nineveh.

Contains in English translation over one hundred quatrains derived from the works of the medieval Arab poet Abu'l-Ala of Ma'arri. The quatrains are a joy to read, and serve as quotations for various religious and secular topics.

Pierre Ponafidine, an Imperial Russian diplomat who served in Ottoman Turkey and Persia, gives a series of studies of certain phases of the life, religion, and customs of people among whom he passed thirty-six years of service.

The variety of Arabic versions of the New Testament is bewildering. In this work, Gibson provides one particular text of the Acts of the Apostles, as well as those of the Minor Catholic Epistles, based on an eighth or ninth century manuscript, preserved at the Convent of St. Catharine in Sinai. The volume also includes a treatise on the Triune nature of God, with an English translation.

An anthology of texts of Hispano-Arabic poems of exceptionally high literary quality and cultural significance. The texts are accompanied by literal translations and explanatory notes for the use of students of Arabic and Romance literatures.