This book seeks to offer an interpretation of how terrorism has become a tool of Muslim radicals and why it is completely at odds with the teaching of Islam. It claims that terrorism has nothing to do with Islam as a religion but the evolution of Muslims, especially in the past one thousand years, has created an environment in which fanaticism, radicalism and violence can nourish. Supported by double standards by Western powers and active backing for corrupt governments and groups, Islamic terrorism came into being. It presents an overview of how Islamic thought in many parts of the Muslim world has become rigid and frozenand grounds for hoping that change in that thought may come, from a perhaps surprising place. It suggests the role that both Muslim and Western societies have played and will continue to play in contributing to reforming Islam. Our purpose is not to provide a thorough proof of our ideas, but to spark discussion and dialogue, both in Muslim and non-Muslim communities (and, ideally, between the two) as to how Islam can regain in world thought and civilization the honored place it had during the Golden Age of Islam.

From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Secret World of Weather and The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs, learn to tap into nature and notice the hidden clues all around you Before GPS, before the compass, and even before cartography, humankind was navigating. Now this singular guide helps us rediscover what our ancestors long understood—that a windswept tree, the depth of a puddle, or a trill of birdsong can help us find our way, if we know what to look and listen for. Adventurer and navigation expert Tristan Gooley unlocks the directional clues hidden in the sun, moon, stars, clouds, weather patterns, lengthening shadows, changing tides, plant growth, and the habits of wildlife. Rich with navigational anecdotes collected across ages, continents, and cultures, The Natural Navigator will help keep you on course and open your eyes to the wonders, large and small, of the natural world.

In this thought-provoking follow-up to his acclaimed StarTalk book, uber astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson tackles the world's most important philosophical questions about the universe with wit, wisdom, and cutting-edge science. For science geeks, space and physics nerds, and all who want to understand their place in the universe, this enlightening new book from Neil deGrasse Tyson offers a unique take on the mysteries and curiosities of the cosmos, building on rich material from his beloved StarTalk podcast. In these illuminating pages, illustrated with dazzling photos and revealing graphics, Tyson and co-author James Trefil, a renowned physicist and science popularizer, take on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia--How did life begin? What is our place in the universe? Are we alone?--and provide answers based on the most current data, observations, and theories. Populated with paradigm-shifting discoveries that help explain the building blocks of astrophysics, this relatable and entertaining book will engage and inspire readers of all ages, bring sophisticated concepts within reach, and offer a window into the complexities of the cosmos. or all who loved National Geographic's StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos: Possible Worlds, and Space Atlas, this new book will take them on more journeys into the wonders of the universe and beyond.

This book seeks to offer an interpretation of how terrorism has become a tool of Muslim radicals and why it is completely at odds with the teaching of Islam. It claims that terrorism has nothing to do with Islam as a religion but the evolution of Muslims, especially in the past one thousand years, has created an environment in which fanaticism, radicalism and violence can nourish. Supported by double standards by Western powers and active backing for corrupt governments and groups, Islamic terrorism came into being. It presents an overview of how Islamic thought in many parts of the Muslim world has become rigid and frozenand grounds for hoping that change in that thought may come, from a perhaps surprising place. It suggests the role that both Muslim and Western societies have played and will continue to play in contributing to reforming Islam. Our purpose is not to provide a thorough proof of our ideas, but to spark discussion and dialogue, both in Muslim and non-Muslim communities (and, ideally, between the two) as to how Islam can regain in world thought and civilization the honored place it had during the Golden Age of Islam.

From the author of You Should See Me in a Crown, Leah Johnson delivers a stunning novel about being brave enough to be true to yourself, and learning to find joy even when times are unimaginably dark. Olivia is an expert at falling in love . . . and at being dumped. But after the fallout from her last breakup has left her an outcast at school and at home, she’s determined to turn over a new leaf. A crush-free weekend at Farmland Music and Arts Festival with her best friend is just what she needs to get her mind off the senior year that awaits her. Toni is one week away from starting college, and it’s the last place she wants to be. Unsure about who she wants to become and still reeling in the wake of the loss of her musician-turned-roadie father, she’s heading back to the music festival that changed his life in hopes that following in his footsteps will help her find her own way forward. When the two arrive at Farmland, the last thing they expect is to realize that they’ll need to join forces in order to get what they’re searching for out of the weekend. As they work together, the festival becomes so much more complicated than they bargained for. Olivia and Toni will find that they need each other, and music, more than they ever could have imagined. Packed with irresistible romance and irrepressible heart, bestselling author Leah Johnson delivers a stunning and cinematic story about grief, love, and the remarkable power of music to heal and connect us all.

A renowned Sufi Shaykh synthesizes his wisdom of the Sufi path for knowing & loving God, specifically for the Western reader. This study of Sufism serves as a guide for finding your purpose & acting according to it. To the Sufi, actions, thoughts, feelings, spoken words, all transmit vibrational patterns which produce reactions in the universe. The goal is to understand which reactions please the Creator as opposed to one's ego. The Sufi route to this goal is via the heart, for love is the medium of unity necessary for a connection between a person & the Divine. The book discusses the practices that open a student's inner organs of perception to an expanded world of radiance which is normally unseen. The Shaykh serves as the guide & protector on this journey & the book clearly describes the responsibilities of both the Shaykh & the Sufi student. The ultimate goal of the Sufi path is the purification of one's heart, a process known as "surrender," i.e., the achievement of complete mastery over the selfish urgings of ones egoistic nature. Intention & sincerity are the springboards of the surrender process -- the inner aspect which gives meaning to our outer deeds.

Rising Sun of the West is an essential spiritual guidebook filled with invaluable knowledge of the elements within our cosmos. The author presents inspiring discourse, supported with over 1,000 full-colour images and custom diagrams, guiding the student through a comprehensive program of spiritual development. The journey examines the Divine's (Allah) most powerful sun of all universes, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and progresses to an insightful overview of the stars, represented by the Holy Companions. These symbols of guidance lead us on the path to enlightenment and by applying the disciplines of the star, the willing seeker can unlock hidden realities of the soul. This book encapsulates the importance of following the full moons, the spiritual guides, who dedicate their lives to reflect the sun and exemplify the best in character. It is ultimately through their guiding light that the student transcends life on earth and moves closer to realizing true cosmic awareness.