The First Muslim by Lesley Hazleton is a compelling and authentic Seerah. Any passage from Conference of the Books by Abou El Fadl (they are short and can be read independent of each other.)
These are both fantastic suggestions... I'm embarrassed to say I haven't read Hazleton's book. But I also love the idea of getting to foundational history, which we haven't done yet (except only in passing), so Hazleton's book really resonates with me
Another book that comes to mind is al-Fawz al-Kabir by Shah Waliullah, which has a couple of English translations available by now. It’s dense but relatively short, and I think it would provide high schoolers with a unique perspective on the Quran — What Allah intended in the arguments He provided in the Quran? How does He argue with which audiences? It is basically the ‘meta’ behind the Quran. It would equip the students with the tools to engage with the Quran themselves.
Ambiguous Adventures is an award winning book by Cheikh Hamidou Kane that might be good to include on the syllabus. It features a Senegalese boy with traditional Islamic training who goes to France to study. The author uses the novel to discuss this clash between cultures and philosophies.
Martin Lings’s Seerah had a profound impact on me as a high schooler. I must have read it a dozen times. The way the author weaved such a strong narrative out of the Hadiths and historical reports, coupled with his high language truly captivated me.
Fiqh al-Imam by Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf was valuable because it gave me a glimpse into the thought process of jurists and made me appreciate differences of opinion in fiqh.
Lost Islamic history by Firas Al-Khatib came out after my time but I wish I could have read it as a high schooler, as it is a book of Islamic history written by an actual Muslim, and is broad enough to give a good overview of the Islamic world without overloading with detail.
Barbara Metcalf’s Islamic Revival in British India was a game changer for me because it helped me better understand my roots as a South Asian American.
May not be what you're looking for but can't help but share. Have you thought about a podcast instead of an additional reading? I am fascinated by The Thinking Muslim, the guests he has on the show, and the range of topics he discusses. Very current and relevant.
Books wise,
Islam focused, The Sealed Nectar but most likely because I read it while going to Hajj and was able to overlay what I was reading on the geography and it made it more palpable. I can't name one book however that had a profound impact on me to single it out. I reference lots of other books as my brain jumps from one topic to another
Not islamicaly focused but had a huge impact on me as an immigrant, Muslim, Arab navigating American culture with all its beauties and warts is Ta Nehisi Coates Between the World and Me (also his latest, The Message)
Fiction, honestly any book written by Barbara Kingsolver is a fantastic read. Demon Copperhead, Flight Behavior, and Poisonwood Bible being my favorites
The challenge with a podcast is that it doesn't lend itself - at least not easily - to repeated engagement (not to mention that the kind of deep work that goes into a book probably wouldn't be found in a podcast)
But as a supplement, on the other hand, a podcast might be an excellent complement, and encourage the students to more casually and freely engage... I like the idea... not to mention fiction! I've never read any Barbara Kingsolver, but maybe now I should!
I always struggle with this pedagogical question and aim to re-shape my syllabus based on the audience. Maybe considering some chapters from various books that make them to think Islam’s impact on the American enlightenment, hence, the modern times they’re now experiencing. The literature on the subject is growing fast. Maybe an article on Emerson’s interest in Islamic spirituality is a good start
That's a fascinating idea -- I appreciate the suggestion! I also like the parallels, connections and tensions, from Malcolm X and America to Iqbal and South Asia to Emerson and America...
The First Muslim by Lesley Hazleton is a compelling and authentic Seerah. Any passage from Conference of the Books by Abou El Fadl (they are short and can be read independent of each other.)
These are both fantastic suggestions... I'm embarrassed to say I haven't read Hazleton's book. But I also love the idea of getting to foundational history, which we haven't done yet (except only in passing), so Hazleton's book really resonates with me
Another book that comes to mind is al-Fawz al-Kabir by Shah Waliullah, which has a couple of English translations available by now. It’s dense but relatively short, and I think it would provide high schoolers with a unique perspective on the Quran — What Allah intended in the arguments He provided in the Quran? How does He argue with which audiences? It is basically the ‘meta’ behind the Quran. It would equip the students with the tools to engage with the Quran themselves.
Ambiguous Adventures is an award winning book by Cheikh Hamidou Kane that might be good to include on the syllabus. It features a Senegalese boy with traditional Islamic training who goes to France to study. The author uses the novel to discuss this clash between cultures and philosophies.
Martin Lings’s Seerah had a profound impact on me as a high schooler. I must have read it a dozen times. The way the author weaved such a strong narrative out of the Hadiths and historical reports, coupled with his high language truly captivated me.
Fiqh al-Imam by Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf was valuable because it gave me a glimpse into the thought process of jurists and made me appreciate differences of opinion in fiqh.
Lost Islamic history by Firas Al-Khatib came out after my time but I wish I could have read it as a high schooler, as it is a book of Islamic history written by an actual Muslim, and is broad enough to give a good overview of the Islamic world without overloading with detail.
Barbara Metcalf’s Islamic Revival in British India was a game changer for me because it helped me better understand my roots as a South Asian American.
May not be what you're looking for but can't help but share. Have you thought about a podcast instead of an additional reading? I am fascinated by The Thinking Muslim, the guests he has on the show, and the range of topics he discusses. Very current and relevant.
Books wise,
Islam focused, The Sealed Nectar but most likely because I read it while going to Hajj and was able to overlay what I was reading on the geography and it made it more palpable. I can't name one book however that had a profound impact on me to single it out. I reference lots of other books as my brain jumps from one topic to another
Not islamicaly focused but had a huge impact on me as an immigrant, Muslim, Arab navigating American culture with all its beauties and warts is Ta Nehisi Coates Between the World and Me (also his latest, The Message)
Fiction, honestly any book written by Barbara Kingsolver is a fantastic read. Demon Copperhead, Flight Behavior, and Poisonwood Bible being my favorites
I hope this helps
The challenge with a podcast is that it doesn't lend itself - at least not easily - to repeated engagement (not to mention that the kind of deep work that goes into a book probably wouldn't be found in a podcast)
But as a supplement, on the other hand, a podcast might be an excellent complement, and encourage the students to more casually and freely engage... I like the idea... not to mention fiction! I've never read any Barbara Kingsolver, but maybe now I should!
Fair point about the podcasts.
I looked at my books at home and one that I forgot to mention is “Misquoting Muhammad” by Jonathan Brown
I always struggle with this pedagogical question and aim to re-shape my syllabus based on the audience. Maybe considering some chapters from various books that make them to think Islam’s impact on the American enlightenment, hence, the modern times they’re now experiencing. The literature on the subject is growing fast. Maybe an article on Emerson’s interest in Islamic spirituality is a good start
That's a fascinating idea -- I appreciate the suggestion! I also like the parallels, connections and tensions, from Malcolm X and America to Iqbal and South Asia to Emerson and America...