The Rise of Islam: History of Islam Arshad Gamiet 9780860378167

A Classic title from The Islamic Foundation. This book is an illustrated presentation of how one of the world's great religions, Islam, came into existence.

The true story of how Allah's last Prophet, Muhammad established Islam in 7th century Arabia. It describes his eventful life with all the challenges and his eventual victory. His youth as an orphan, his impeccable character as a young man, his loyalty in marriage, his integrity in business affairs, his compassion for the poor, his justice against oppressors, his mercy and generosity to those who had humiliated him and his unflinching faith in Allah, these are all vividly portrayed.

This graphic novel format provides readers with an immersive experience of life in 7th century Arabia. Although the events unfold in a particular place and time, the values they reflect are universal. The book shows how truth triumphs over falsehood; courage confronts cowardice, justice overcomes oppression, hope defeats despair and showing mercy is far nobler than taking revenge. These universal lessons are as relevant and inspiring today as they were 1,400 years ago.

Arshad Gamiet was born in South Africa in 1946. Studied Fine Art at the University of Cape Town and Islamic Studies at the University of Karachi, Pakistan, in 1968.

He produced books, films and other audio-visual material for the Muslim Assembly in Cape Town. Keen to present the history of Islam in graphic novel format. His first book, The Rise of Islam, was published in 1970.

In 1979 he joined The Islamic Foundation as co-editor of children's books as well as illustrating some of the books.

1982-1987: He worked for the Islamic Press Agency in London. He was General Manager of Yathrib Audio Visual, a subsidiary that produced documentary films and the Eastern Tales series of children's programmes for Yorkshire Television, part of the ITV network.

1984 to 1998 he helped his wife Mariam, a trained nurse, to set up private nursing homes for frail elderly patients in Langley, Slough and Milton Keynes. Since 1998: he has been a Contributing Editor of khutbahbank.org.uk . This website publishes Friday khutbahs in English for amateur khateebs. He occasionally leads the Friday prayers and delivers the khutbah at Royal Holloway University of London, and at the Jurgens Centre in Egham. Arshad enjoys "Demystifying" Islam and Muslims through voluntary interfaith work, hosting visits to the Jamiah mosque in Slough, as well as giving talks at schools, universities and workplaces.

Now based in Buckinghamshire, England, Arshad shares his time with his loving wife and they are blessed with four children and seven grandchildren.