Great Muslims of the West

"Great Muslims of the West is a remarkably lucid and thoroughly well-documented book. It provides the first major scholarly collation of Western Muslim biographies and challenges common assumptions and popular prejudices, enriching our comprehension of contemporary Islam." —The Muslim World Book Review

“By focusing on contributions by giants from the West who were also Muslim, this book debunks the myth that Muslims have been recently introduced to notions of democracy and individualism.”—Booklist Online

“Extensively researched… a wealth of information on a subject of great substance… far-reaching and fascinating… this book is worth reading and preserving.” —Dawn, Pakistan

“...this volume should not only be welcomed by both Muslims and non-Muslims, but it also offers a much needed sense of belonging to all Muslims born and raised in the West.”—Islamic Horizons

“[A] work of great synthesis. . . . [It] argues that the ‘makers of Western Islam’ have not only enriched Islam, but also humanity in general. This book is an important and timely contribution.”—Dr. Enes Karic, Professor at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, University of Sarajevo, and former Minister of Education, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

"an encyclopaedic overview"—Dr Mamnun Khan, The Muslim News

“[An] unusually informative, inspiring and timely contribution. Essential reading for Muslims and non-Muslims, Easterners and Westerners alike.”—Dr. Syed Mahmudul Hasan, F.R.A.S. historian, author, and formerly Professor of Islamic History and Culture at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

"a window into the long history of Great Muslims of the West ... [the author] has a remarkable ability to explain and present history, from which readers can draw insight and learn lessons. I highly recommend this book as a must-have in every home, library, mosque and other educational institutions.”—Dr Mamnun Khan, The Muslim News

"...it provides non-Muslims and Muslims alike with a much broader and more nuanced picture of Muslim thinkers and leaders who have had an influence on... the West"—Bill Tammeus, Faith Matters Blog

Khan provides accounts of not only the famous Muslim converts like Shaykh William (Abdullah) Quilliam and Marmaduke Pickthall, but also of lesser-known individuals whose contributions to Britain – and the whole Muslim world at the time – are no less inspirational. Lord Henry Stanley of Alderley, for instance, the English aristocrat and accomplished linguist, was a model British Muslim who served in the House of Lords. Not only was he an English patriot who served his country; he also often woke up late at night to perform Ṣalāt al-Tahajjud. In addition to earning the respect of his people, Lord Henry Stanley was open about his religious views and publicly defended the rights of the Ottomans, Indians and Africans from being violated.

The book encourages the British and American Muslim to ask oneself the following question: How will you contribute to your society?Shaykh Shahin-ur Rahman