This volume examines Islamic maritime law and practice of Muslim mariners during the classical period using Fatwa and Geniza sources. Maritime terminology, interrelationships of mariners, maritime commercial and military laws, territorial waters and the performance of Islamic religious duties at sea in the period are discussed.

Ritual and practice are one of the most distinctive features of religion, and they are linked with its central beliefs. Islam is no exception here, and this Handbook covers many aspects of those beliefs and practices. It describes the variety of what takes place but mainly why, and what the implications of both the theory and practice have for our understanding of Islam. The book includes accounts of prayer, food, pilgrimage, mosques, and the various legal and doctrinal schools that exist within Islam, with the focus on how they influence practice. The volume is organized in terms of texts, groups, practices, places, and others. An attempt has been made to discuss the wide range of Muslim ritual and practice and provide a sound guide to this significant aspect of the religious life of one of the largest groups of believers in the world today.

Volume 1 of the book will discuss the true gospel of Jesus(as), which is about the imminent coming of the Son of Man and the establishment of the universal kingdom of God on earth. We will emphasize the fact that the entire ministry of Jesus(as) is all about the good news of the imminent fulfillment of the ‘Son of Man’ prophecy and the ‘Kingdom of God’ prophecy of Prophet Daniel(as) as written in the Bible. Based on the correct context and interpretation, the “Son of Man” mentioned by Jesus(as) refers to Prophet Muhammad(saw) and the “kingdom of God” refers to Islam. Volume 2 will discuss about the fulfillment of the Seventy Weeks prophecy of Prophet Daniel(as). This prophecy is actually a countdown to know the year Jesus(as) and Muhammad(saw) will come on earth. Jesus(as) is expected to arrive in the sixty-ninth week of the countdown, and Prophet Muhammad(saw) will arrive in the seventieth week of the countdown. Its exact fulfillment in history (such as the year of their birth, the starting year of their ministry and the year their messianic mission will be accomplished) is a miracle or sign from God Almighty (Qur’an 20:133) and a clear evidence (Qur’an 61:6) attesting the veracity of the prophethood of both Jesus(as) and Muhammad(saw). This will explain to us why there were Jews in Judea who knew what time or year Jesus(as) will arrive on earth; and why there were Jews in Yathrib Arabia who knew what time or year Muhammad(saw) will emerge as Messenger of God.

Under the supervision of Ayatullah Ja'far Subhani, Sayyid Rida Husayni Nasab introduces a text outlining the differences in different 'Ummahs' of Islam. He discusses what unites them, as well as those traditions and understandings that cause dispute amongst them.