The Muslim 100

Overview

The Muslim 100 is an attempt to explore Islamic history through the lives, thoughts and achievements of a selection of the most influential Muslims. The book is an anthology of biographies of 100 influential Muslim personalities whom the author has selected according to their influence on Muslims throughout 15 centuries of Islam.

Influence is based on their contributions and achievements, which was the main criterion for selection and inclusion in the book. Khan measured the influence of a person by examining their lives and thoughts, and then assessed the nature of their contribution by evaluating what they actually did and what was special or extraordinary about their deeds, actions and accomplishments. In so doing, he claims to be able to determine whether their contributions and achievements had made them national, regional or international figures, and that he could evaluate the intellectual, social, political, economic or cultural importance, value and impact of their contributions and achievements over time.

By exploring the ideas, thoughts and achievements of the lives of 100 most influential Muslim rulers and conquerors, religious scholars and philosophers, writers and literary figures, scientists and explorers, military generals and freedom fighters, reformers and educationalists, this book goes through Islamic thought, history, culture and civilization.

Content

The author's selection is representative of all periods from the advent of Islam to modern times, those who belong to a vast area and whose contributions have covered all fields of human knowledge.

The 100 most influential Muslims include 20 personalities from modern times. The 100 names include; Abū Ḥanīfa, Al-Ghazali, Ibn Arabi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Sir Muhammad Iqbal, Abul A'la Maududi, and Malcolm X. Among the 100, the author listed only four females, ‘A’ishah bint Abu Bakr, Khadīja bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah and Rābiʻah al-ʻAdawiyya al-Qaysiyya.

The book ends with a chronological list of the main events in Islamic history, a select bibliography and two indices, one of names and places and the other of ideas and concepts. It is easy to read and the author avoided using technical language or unnecessary jargon words. The Muslim 100 is aimed primarily at students and lay readers.

Critical reception

"It is rare to see a publication which includes personalities from both Shia and Sunni schools of thought and which is so much needed in today's turbulent world. This book, I believe will... enrich our understanding of not only the historical but the contemporary history of the Muslim." — Ahmed J. Versi, chief editor of The Muslim News.