Universal Encyclopedia of Islam ( 5 volumes)

Birth and evolution of Islam is a glorious chapter of the World History. In fact, Islamic Studies involve the study of the Islamic faith, as a religion and as a social institution. Islam is as old as the world itself. Contrary to common belief, Islam was not founded by Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). Islam is an eternal religion. Its teachings are divine in origin and nature. Nothing worldly is there. The evolution of Islam has impacted the political, economic and military history of an enormous geographical region. Islamic culture encourages identification with the ummah, and this principle has influenced the behaviour of a number of players in history. History of Islam is closely tied to the political, economic, and military affairs. Today, Islam is one of the major religions of the world and perhaps there is hardly any corner of the world, where Muslims are not found. Culturally, geographically or socially, there may exist some differences among them, but their faith in the oneness of Allah makes them one nation or people, spread all over the world. Islamic studies is a vast subject. It may require lacs of pages to record it at length. It was really a challenge to cover the entire Islamic tenets, in a comprehensive manner, in a few volumes. The undersigned took up this challenge. Islam as a faith and ideology, has found mention in millions of books, dealing with various subjects, under Islamic Studies. Thousands of books are already in the stacks. Still, need was felt to bring out a comprehensive manual, encapsulating all relevant details in its covers. Present modest work, namely, Universal Encyclopaedia of Islam, a comprehensive multivolume set, is an effort in the direction of recording the knowledge of Islam in nutshell, authentically. It is valuable for the scholars, researchers, academics, students and general readers, alike.

Muhammad Isar Ahmad, (b. 1956) a scholar of Islam and its related disciplines, in his own right, he is a postgraduate from Aligarh Muslim University, with a degree from Rohelkhand University. He is a devoted researcher and academic. He has taken up serious study and writing as a permanent affair. He has guided many a researcher and junior scholar, in an academic manner, spanning over several decades. He has been on foreign tours, especially, Middle East, as a keen observer of Islamic movements, the world over. He is regarded as a think-tank, a liberal-minded, far-sighted and quick-witted personality in the academic circles, even in outside world. After completing his studies, he established a research institute, which guides students, researchers and scholars in accomplishing various projects, particularly on Islamic Studies. He is based in Badaun, (U.P.), which has been a great seat of Islamic learning, over the centuries. Now, he has devoted himself, whole heartedly to the search of knowledge, tirelessly and enthusiastically. He has attended a number of seminars, symposia, academic get-togethers and has won big laurels, in and outside India on many occasions. He has some half a dozen papers to his credit. This is his first research-based work on Islam. Recently, he has turned to Islamic Philosophy and unearthed many hidden facts. He is currently busy, with his project: Practical Aspects of Islamic Education.