The Destruction of Timbaktu Contributed by Prof. Dr. Nazeer Ahmed, PhD The ransom received by Ahmed al Mansur al Sa’adi from the Portuguese at the Battle of al Qasr al Kabir (1578) provided him only temporary financial relief. The traditional sources of income for the emir, namely trade and agriculture, were increasingly out of his reach. In the north, the Mediterranean trade was...

Civilizations change when the paradigms that govern them change. Humans relate to themselves and to each other through transcendental values firmly imbedded in basic frameworks. These values define how a society looks upon itself, how it interacts with other societies and its place in history. For instance, in the Middle Ages, most people believed that the earth was flat. The paradigm of a flat...

Introduction:In a world teeming with trials and tribulations, the Islamic virtues of sabr (patience) and forgiveness stand as beacons of hope, guiding individuals toward a life of peace and fulfillment. As Muslims, we are encouraged to embody these qualities in our daily lives, not only as a means of self-improvement but as a way to foster harmony within our communities. Through sabr and...