£24.99
Between 711 and 1609, the Iberian Peninsula witnessed both great illumination and tremendous darkness. This book explores why Islam was embraced so rapidly in Andalus and how that wisdom eventually slipped through our fingers. A definitive guide to understanding our shared European Islamic heritage.
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For many of us, Andalus is a name associated with a Golden Age, yet we struggle to understand how such a brilliant civilisation could eventually vanish.
The word Andalus itself holds a profound lesson. In Arabic, it means “to become so smooth and shiny with age that it slips through your fingers”. This is the story captured in this volume—a journey through 900 years of history characterised by immense wisdom and profound ignorance.
What makes this book different is its unique lens. Authors Ahmad Thomson and Muhammad ‘Ata’ur-Rahim do not simply begin in the year 711. They look further back, exploring how the teachings of Christianity developed in Europe. It is only with this context that you can truly understand why the inhabitants of Spain and Portugal embraced Islam so readily—and why the later tragedy of the Inquisition was so devastating.
This third edition is a substantial, luxury volume designed to last. It is a practical tool for the modern seeker to understand how faith flourishes, how it is lost, and what we must do to preserve our own faith today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not an historian, will this be too dense for me?
The language is plain and clear and written in the engaging style that Ahamd Thomson is known for. It is a detailed and deep look at the history of the period and it delves into the reasoning of events and how they all came together. So while it is not a difficult read, it is not a short read, either.
Is this book relevant to my life in the West today?
Yes. It explores the presence of Islam in Europe. Understanding how Islam interacted with Western society in the past provides vital lessons for how we live and share our faith today.
There are so many book on Muslim Spain. How does this differ?
This is a deep and enormously satisfying book on the subject. Most books start at the conquest of 711 and highlight the superficial details. This book is unique because it examines the centuries of Christian development before Islam arrived, showing that the people of Andalus were actually waiting for the clarity that Islam provided.
Why is this edition more expensive than a standard paperback?
This is a luxury third edition. It features higher quality paper and a cloth binding with jacket. We felt this was most respectful for the depth of research that has gone into this book and we wanted to ensure this a memorable and beautiful reading experience.
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