A critique of modern Islamic political thought on the 'state', this book takes the form of a three-part dialogue with the West, with Islamic tradition and with 20th-century Muslim thinkers. The author discusses the divide between Islamic values and the basic principles which guide Western political thought. He traces the development of Muslim constitutional practice and considers the current debate on the nature of and desirability for an 'Islamic state'. He separates the problems that are internally derived from the by-products of Western culture. Dr El-Affendi argues that if Islamic values were brought to bear internationally, the entrenched dogmas of Western political thought as much as both the tradition-bound and modernist trends of Muslim thinking would have to be revised. A must-read for those interested in the theory of the Islamic State. This second edition contains a foreword by Professor Ziauddin Sardar, a new introduction by the author, and two new sections as appendices.

Editor Susanna Wright offers this updated edition of a Christian devotional classic--invoking the daily prayers and timeless imagery of the original text through modern, accessible language.
In this wonderful collection, famed theologian Dr. John Baillie shares personal prayers for people who are seeking a better understanding of God and themselves. Organized by morning and evening--with special prayers for Sundays--"A Diary of Private Prayer" is written with eloquence, piety, and directness. Blending praise and meditative thoughts about God with a concern for the social and individual good, these daily invocations help and inspire us to search our inner selves and find the deep religious beliefs that lie within.
First published in 1936, "A Diary of Private Prayer" remains a seminal Christian devotional with more than a million copies in print. This modern edition--completely redesigned into a gift package--admirably preserves all the qualities of the original, ensuring that the wisdom of God and the wonder of Baillie's prayers remain accessible for many generations to come.

This book is the first to explore and highlight the history of the plants mentioned in the Qur’an, many of which are part of our everyday life, from pomegranates and grapes to ginger and garlic. Author Shahina A. Ghazanfar explores the context in which these plants are mentioned in the Qur’an - mainly as food plants, as well as for medicinal use, use in beauty, fragrance or for shade. Shahina’s in-depth research for this book has led to new findings in our knowledge of the historical and cultural significance of these plants, their traditional and present uses, as well as detailed exploration of the context in which they are mentioned in the Qur’an. The main section of the book highlights thirty of the plants most prominent in the Qur’an, with details on where the plant is mentioned in the Qur’an text, detailed etymology, cultural history, and botanical description. Each of these plants are beautifully illustrated with unique botanical paintings by artist Sue Wickison, drawn from living specimens in the wild. The authors take us on a fascinating journey through the cultural history of these important plants, brought to life with vivid and stunningly detailed botanical paintings.

In The Weary Leader's Guide to Burnout, Sean Nemecek takes Christian leaders on a journey from burnout through recovery and on to spiritual transformation. By understanding the causes and symptoms of their burnout, these leaders will be ready to take practical, actionable steps toward wholeness. Then, if they choose, they will be poised to do the inner work of spiritual transformation by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the end, these leaders will emerge from burnout more confident in Christ, more connected with others, and with greater purpose, courage, and grace in their leadership. This book integrates biblical interpretation, theology, psychology, and contemplative spirituality into a holistic approach to recovery. It is filled with relatable stories of church leaders who have walked this path and includes discussion questions for personal contemplation or group discussion. The Weary Leader's Guide to Burnout will help pastors and Christian leaders develop an integrated approach to life, work, and ministry through healing and spiritual transformation.

Liturgies for Hope expresses eloquently the collective ache felt by many in modern society today - burnout, anxiety, daily stresses - and reminds us how important it is to turn our focus outwards, to each other and importantly, to our ever-loving God. Born during the Covid pandemic, authors Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore asked each other: what can we, lovers of words, create to defy the darkness? Inspired by Christian liturgies-a type of prayer-poem- they created Liturgies for Hope, resolving to offer something more beautiful and trustworthy in response to the world around them. Deeply uplifting, this beautiful collection of 60 comforting prayers for modern life will help readers speak to the God who knows them, supports them, and see that whatever their circumstances there is always more hope to be had.

For the first time, Etty Hillesum's diary and letters appear together to give us the fullest possible portrait of this extraordinary woman. In the darkest years of Nazi occupation and genocide, Etty Hillesum remained a celebrant of life whose lucid intelligence, sympathy, and almost impossible gallantry were themselves a form of inner resistance. The adult counterpart to Anne Frank, Hillesum testifies to the possibility of awareness and compassion in the face of the most devastating challenge to one's humanity. She died at Auschwitz in 1943 at the age of twenty-nine.