(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - “This encyclopedia is a reference work that provides the optimum in content quantity and quality,” Syed Iqbal Zaheer, the encyclopedia editor, said at the launch ceremony.
Titled “An Educational Encyclopedia of Islam”, the two-volume encyclopedia was launched last week.
Praised as a scholarly work on Islamic cultures, religion, history and politics, the entries of the encyclopedia are arranged alphabetically.
They range from brief essays to major analyses of topics from Hadith studies to the nature of divinity.
“The entries of this encyclopedia are arranged alphabetically and range from brief essays to major analyses of topics such as Hadiths, pilgrimage, law, and family structure,” said Zaheer, a Muslim scholar who hails from angaluru, India.
The encyclopedia is also well-supported with excellent illustrations and maps that supplement the data wonderfully.
It includes 50 full-scale and unique multi-color maps that have been supported by 3D topographical features.
Attractive and relevant illustrations and photographs have been placed within the text of their respective entries.
The encyclopedia includes illustrations of the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) and earliest Muslims.
It also has accounts of the life and achievements of the famous Muslim scholars like Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, Imam Abu Dawood, and Imam Tirmidhi.
The illustrations also support entries dedicated to the founders of the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence: Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Shafi', Imam Malik bin Anas and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal.
Modern Look
The new encyclopedia also tackles hot issues such as jihad, the status of women in Islam, giving Muslims a modern look on their religion.
“It is a work (focusing) on Islamic culture, religion, history, politics, and other facets of life, in a very simple language,” Zaheer said.
“It has two very convincing articles on the Divinity as well as a thorough article in defense of Hadiths.”
The encyclopedia places particular emphasis on nineteenth and twentieth centuries, containing over a thousand articles in two volumes on Islam, Muslims and the Islamic culture in the Arab mainland, South and Southeast Asia and Europe.
Related entries also cover areas of general interest such as social and political movements, women, Muslim minorities, human rights, and inter-religious affairs.
On its internet website, the encyclopedia is described as having a “unique focus” that makes it “an invaluable reference for scholars and students of not one, but many, disciplines.”
“An Educational Encyclopedia of Islam is, doubtless, an invaluable addition to personal, public and academic libraries.”
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