This unit, developed by CIE and co-published by the National Center for History in the Schools at UCLA, provides a first-hand look, through historical primary sources, at the various types of cultural interactions that took place during the Crusades. This unit of study seeks to supplement the information presented in world history textbooks about the Crusades. The Crusades were instigated by the call for "holy war" against Muslims by Pope Urban II in 1095 and spanned several centuries. The unit notes that usually the depth and breadth of coverage varies substantially, and the Crusades are usually taught as a component of medieval European history, without allowing for a more holistic approach which would include other perspectives. The unit provides students with primary documents that allow them to practice analytical skills by scrutinizing the uninterrupted texts on their own. New perspectives are offered concerning the Crusades by focusing on the experiences of both Crusaders and Muslims. Students are given an understanding of the more diverse forms of interaction between Crusaders and Muslims. The unit consists of five lessons. Teacher background materials and lesson plans with student resources are provided. Lessons vary according to the different grade levels and can be adapted to a slightly higher or lower level. The teacher background materials provide an overview of the unit and present historical information and context necessary to link the specific "dramatic moment" to the larger historical narrative. The unit's lesson plans include a variety of ideas and approaches that can be elaborated upon or shortened, as the need arises.

Lesson topics include:
• Crusaders Living in Muslim Lands
• Crusader Meets Mujahid: The Military Encounter
• Salah al-Din (Saladin): An Ideal Muslim Leader
• Ideals and Motivations for the Crusades, and the Muslim Response
• Glimpses of Women's Experiences During the Crusades

This unit, developed by CIE and co-published by the National Center for History in the Schools at UCLA, provides a first-hand look, through historical primary sources, at the experiences of Europeans traveling to distant lands. Students gain insight into how the works of these travelers influenced the perception of Islam and Muslims in Europe from the nineteenth century onwards.
Lesson topics include:
1. Pilgrims and Tourists
2. Colonial Officials
3. Archaeologists and Antiquarians
4. Political Figures
5. Artists, Architects, and Photographers
6. Literary Figures

This comprehensive study of the life of the first Rightly-Guided Caliph, based on the era immediately after the Prophet’s death, details the many challenges he faced as successor. The methodology adopted by Abu Bakr to overcome obstacles and allow Islam to bask in everlasting glory holds many valuable lessons for the Muslims of today.

An Authentic Collection of the Qur'anic Information with Maps, Tables and Pictures...

This atlas is new in its subject, a subject that has not been touched before. It helps whoever recites the Qur'an or studies it to specify the locations mentioned by the Noble Verses, and to mark those places of ancient people mentioned in the Qur'an. This is besides locating areas where the incidents of Prophet Muhammad's life occurred. Eventually the diligent reader will easily recognize those places, learn about them, and take heed of them while reciting.

The atlas has also revealed obscure places we used to pass through inattentively, like the site where the Ark of Prophet Nooh settled, the site of the curved Sand-hills (Al-Ahqah), the cave of the young faithful men (As'haab Al-Kahf), the houses of Madyan, the site of Sodom (the people of Prophet Loot) and other places determined by the atlas depending on reliable sources.

Thus the atlas eliminates all the guessing and the fantasies we used to encounter when reciting the Noble Qur'an, and takes us to the specific place.

From the rich, Islamic heritage, true and inspiring stories highlighting aspects of the lives of 60 Companions including outstanding women. This is one of two books that provides a lively introduction to early Muslim history and inspiring models for Muslim values, attitudes and behavior. Here the trials and triumphs of the early Muslims as individual men and women are well-portrayed. Their various paths to Islam - sometimes direct, sometimes long and tortuous, their devotion to the noble Prophet (s), their hope in God and in the life to come, their endeavors in peace and in times of hardship and struggle - all serve to cast them in a heroic mold. The Sahabah or Companions of the Prophet (s) helped to lay the foundations of a new world order and it is fitting that they should be more widely known. This is the first of two books based on the original Arabic sources and written in a style that is lively and often gripping. These two books are based on original Arabic sources and contemporary writings on early Muslim history.

Hailed by critics as an essential book, God's Crucible is a bold, new interpretation of Islamic Spain and the birth of Europe from one of our greatest historians. David Levering Lewis's narrative, filled with accounts of some of the greatest battles in world history, reveals how cosmopolitan, Muslim al-Andalus flourished—a beacon of cooperation and tolerance—while proto-Europe floundered in opposition.

At the beginning of the eighth century, the Arabs brought a momentous revolution in power, religion, and culture to Dark Ages Europe. David Levering Lewis's masterful history begins with the fall of the Persian and Roman empires, followed by the rise of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and the creation of Muslim Spain. Five centuries of engagement between the Muslim emporium and an emerging Europe followed, from the Muslim conquest of Visigoth Hispania in 711 to Latin Christendom's declaration of unconditional warfare on the Caliphate in 1215. Lewis's narrative, filled with accounts of some of the greatest battles in world history, reveals how cosmopolitan, Muslim al-Andalus flourished—a beacon of cooperation and tolerance between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity—while proto-Europe, defining itself in opposition to Islam, made virtues out of hereditary aristocracy, religious intolerance, perpetual war, and slavery. A cautionary tale, God's Crucible provides a new interpretation of world-altering events whose influence remains as current as today's headlines.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah for helping me in preparing this book. One of the important factors in the development and behaviors of the societies of the world today is the impact of role models. Now, more than ever, role models are affecting the lives of all races and classes of people around the world. Because of mediums such as television, radio, telephone and the internet, many role models, such as movie stars, athletes, musicians and politicians, have become quite popular around the world. However, such role models do not necessarily represent the ideal style of life, practices and beliefs that are wanted for the Muslim. When Muslims look up to sinful or disbelieving people who have been portrayed in the media to be successful and famous, they began to feel inferior to them. Satan may even deceive them into feeling that the reason for the non-Muslims' worldly success is their following of ways other than Islam. For this reason, Darussalam has brought to life in this work the stories of some of the greatest heroes and role models of Islam. In this way we serve the cause of increasing the Muslims' conviction to their faith. The efforts and sacrifices of these people for the sake of Allah's religion will show us who we are and what we really are capable of when we have strong belief in Allah. This book presents the glimpses of the lives of some of the greatest heroes and role models of Islam. It covers the four righteous caliphs, 47 male and female companions of the Prophet, 8 followers of the companions, 6 religious scholars, 7 reformers, and 7 scientists. Heroes and Heroism Every nation has its own heroes. Some are real while others are mythical. These heroes are sources of admiration, and even adoration by certain communities. In enlightened societies real heroes may be models for emulation. But who is a real hero? He is a person usually admired or respected for special qualities he is endowed with or for certain acts of bravery and chivalry. Heroes of Islam Muslims have no need to look for fictitious or mythical heroes, because their history is abundant with heroes of real flesh and blood, whose acts were heroic because of their faith, and a consequence of their attitude to life and the world. For all the heroes of Islam share two very special traits: full conviction and dedication to their pristine faith and constant attempt to seek the Pleasure of their Creator, Allah, alone, regardless of the circumstances and times they live in. For a Muslim hero, be he a military genius, a scholar teacher, or a devout common person, knows that the transient life in this world is a means to the eternal life in the Hereafter, and that ephemeral pains and pleasures are nothing compared to the everlasting pains and pleasures of Hell and Heaven. To this hero, the key to the whole thing is Divine Pleasure. Through it alone can a person enjoy peace and tranquility in this world and attain real happiness in the life hereafter. The is reported to have said: "Strange is the case of the believer. Everything turns to his advantage only. If adversity befalls him he patiently accepts it, and is rewarded for it. If prosperity happens to him he shows gratitude to his Lord (in word and action), and is rewarded for it." So a hero of Islam faces both prosperity and adversity with the right attitude and action. His goal is not worldly pleasures and gains, but rather the Pleasure of Allah. Purpose of this Book In this book we will try to present glimpses of the lives of a few heroes of Islam. But they all exhibit that special quality and trait of a Muslim hero. It is my hope that the reader will find actual examples of qualities we all need to instill in ourselves and our dear ones so that Muslims may once again take their proper place and play their vital role in human civilization and history.