Other Publications by fountain books
www.fountaingroup.org
1. Fundamentals of Islam
In this book the author outlines the five fundamental principles of Islam, namely Tawheed (the Indivisible Oneness of God), Adl (Divine Justice), Nubowwah (Prophethood), Imamah (Leadership of mankind), and Me’ad (Resurrection). For each principle, the author presents a brief, and to the point, discussion on the significance of the issue concerned. The book could serve as a good introduction to Islamic beliefs.
2. What is Islam? Beliefs, principles and a way of life
Few would dare to attempt to summarize the Islamic faith in a book of this size but this is the aim of the late Grand Ayatollah Muhammad al-Shirazi, one of the most eminent Islamic authorities of modern times. Eschewing complicated jargon and deliberately using succinct and lucid language within a "question and answer" format, he has sought to convey the richness and profound spirituality of the Islamic message in all its aspects to the widest possible audience. There are necessarily some Arabic and technical terms but these have been kept to a minimum.
The late Sayyid Shirazi covers all the main aspects of Islam, from the fundamental beliefs such as the Oneness of God and His justice and prophethood to topics like ablutions, praying, fasting, and making the Hajj and also deals with such diverse subjects as Islamic law, economics, politics, the Islamic view of society, the issue of freedom in Islam, and so on. This is a book which will not only be useful for Muslims who want to find out more about their religion but also for non-Muslims who seek a concise introduction to what Islam is all about.
3. The Family
In this book the author highlights the problems he sees both in Islamic societies and in west societies today that arise from the phenomenon of unmarried young men and women, through to birth control and contraception. He surveys the idea of marriage in various religions and schools of thought, and discusses polygamy from the Islamic perspective. As well as being a call to the Muslim world to revert to the true teachings of Islam, this book can also be of use as an introduction to others who seek some answers to the social problems of today.
This is because Islam provides detailed teachings that promise success in every area of human life on individual and societal levels, and furthermore the practicality and success of those teachings have been proven in the course of history.
4. The Qur’an: When was it compiled?
In this book the author addresses the issues of when the Holy Qur’an was compiled, on what and whose instructions was this task carried out, and who accomplished its compilation in the form that it is available today. In this work the author presents undisputable evidence as to address these crucial questions. Through historical, methodical and logical analyses, the author establishes how and when the compilation of the Holy Qur’an was achieved. In the latter half of the book the author cites many Prophetic traditions (hadith) on the significance of the learning and recitation of Holy Qur’an. It is a must read for every Muslim, and any non-Muslim who follows Islamic issues.
5. The Bible and Christianity: an Islamic view
In this work the author carries out a brief investigation into the Bible and presents his findings. They show that some of the most noble men, i.e. the Prophets, who have been chosen by God Almighty as His messengers to mankind, are accused in the Bible to have committed some of the most vile and immoral conducts known to man. Prophets are accused of deception, lying, fornication, rape, incest, murder, and the list goes on. Even God does not escape unscathed in the Bible . false characteristics are attributed to Him, or He is accused of making His messengers to commit foul and disgusting acts. In the second part of this work the author presents some of the debates he had with the Christians who visited him in his residence in Karbala, Iraq.
The debates concerned their impression of Islam and its doctrine as well as their own religious beliefs. In this presentation the author shows how he invited non- Muslims to Islam through calm but rational and intellectual debates with them. The book makes an interesting read, especially when the reader can see the simple arguments put forward in these debates.
6. If Islam were to be established
This book can serve as the Muslim's guide to the Islamic government. If an Islamist opposition group has a plan for an Islamic government, this book would help to check various aspects of the plan. In the absence of such a plan, this book would present one. To the non-Muslims, the book presents a glimpse of a typical Islamic system of government. The book would also serve as a yardstick for anyone to check the practices of any government that claims to have implemented an Islamic system of government.
7. War, Peace and Non-violence: An Islamic Perspective
In this work the author addresses three controversial issues, which have come to be associated with Islam. Through his extensive knowledge of the teachings of Islam, the author presents the Islamic stand on war, peace and non-violence, as found in the traditions and teachings of the Prophet of Islam, which could serve as exemplary models for the Mankind. Detailed accounts of the traditions of Prophet in his dealings with his foes during war or peace times are presented in this book, which gives the reader a clear insight into the way and the basis upon which the Prophet of Islam used to conduct his affairs in this respect.
8. The Islamic System of Government
In this introductory book the author outlines the basic principles of a government based on the teachings of Islam. The author begins with the aim and objectives of the government according to Islam and the extent of its authority in that framework. He then addresses, from the Islamic viewpoint, the significance and fundamental nature of such issues as consultative system of government, judicial system, freedoms, party political pluralism, social justice, human rights, foreign policy, etc. The author also outlines the policies of a government on issues such as education, welfare, health, crime, services, etc. as well as such matters as the government's income, and authority.
9. Islamic Beliefs for All
In this book the author discusses the five fundamental principles of Islam. These principles are Tawheed or the Indivisible Oneness of God, Adl or Divine Justice, Prophethood, Imamah or the Leadership of mankind after the prophet, and Resurrection. What distinguish this book are the author's subtle approach in addressing the issues concerned and the simple examples given to illustrate the discussion. This authoritative work is not only important to Muslims, but it would also be of interest to those non-Muslims who seek to explore Islam and its doctrine. This easy to read book would be a valuable reference for Religious Education.
10. Husayn - The Sacrifice for Mankind
This is a collection of articles about a totally unique individual who, through his remarkable sacrifices, managed to change the course of history and the direction that mankind was heading for. He is none other than Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, and the second son of Fatima and Ali, peace be upon them.
Imam Husayn peace be upon him stood up to tyranny and oppression and gave everything he had, including his life and the lives of his most beloved sons and brothers as well as those of his closest allies, in order to awaken the masses, reform society and rectify the distortion that has been inflicted on Islam.
The articles in this work cover some aspects of the aims and objectives of Imam Husayn’s movement, the difference between his strategy and that of his brother Imam Hasan in facing tyranny and despotism, the examples he set, and the lessons that are learnt from the events that lead up to Karbala fourteen centuries ago. Besides the benefits of his movement, the personality of Imam Husayn peace be upon him as reflected by the many hadith and teachings of Prophet Muhammad is also discussed. Also included in this work are a number of questions and answers about the commemoration ceremonies observed by the Muslims around the world on the occasion of Ashura.
11. The rights of prisoners according to Islamic teachings
In general, Islam considers imprisonment as a case of last resort in many circumstances, however, according to Islamic teachings there are only a few offences that would lead to imprisonment. Under non-Islamic system, of course the offender should be reprimanded, but any chastisement prescribed by Islamic teachings may only be implemented if all the relevant criteria and the preconditions prescribed are also met. If the criteria are not met, then the prescribed punishment may not be executed.
In this book the author addresses such issues as the fundamental nature of freedom, the rights of prisoner, and the harmful effects of imprisonment on the individual concerned as well as on society, and the kind of offences that would lead to imprisonment under an Islamic system. The author also cites a few cases to demonstrate the attitude the Islamic ruler should take towards offence; to try to find reasons to waive the punishments in any particular case. The author also addresses the issue of torture in general, and mental and physical ill treatment that is carried out under the guise of interrogation and extracting confession from a detainee or a suspect.
12. Aspects of the political theory of Imam Shirazi
Muhammad G. Ayub is a well-known Islamist political activist within the Iraqi circle who has established a long history of political struggle over the past three decades. He was attracted by the views of the Imam Muhammad Shirazi in the fields of social and political sciences. This prompted the author to write this book to introduce the reader to these views that have remained relatively unknown amongst Muslim activists and reformists. It covers such aspects on politics as freedom of expression, party-political pluralism and organisation, social justice, peace and non-violence, human rights, consultation system of government, etc.