Welcome to the Islamic Encyclopedia
The open encyclopedia on Islamic Subjects and the Muslim World from the Muslim perspective.
With thousands entering into Islam in the West, and Millions of Muslims both in the east as well as the west dependent on the Islamic literature in the English language alone, the need for an authentic, comprehensive Islamic encyclopedia was never greater. The encyclopedias that have so far been published, or are on the Web, are quite inadequate, if not misleading. For instance, the massive Brill Encyclopedia of Islam states about Ibn ‘Abbas:
“He was the father of Kur’anic exegesis; at a time when it was necessary to bring the Qur’an into accord with the new demands of a society which had undergone a profound transformation, he appears to have been extremely skillful in accomplishing this task.”
The Encyclopedia Britannica has the following to state about Hadith:
“It is clear that many customs and usages native to non-Arab societies prior to their Islamization found their way into Islam in the form of reputed or alleged traditions of Muhammad.”
Or the following from the Web:
“According to Samuel Zwemer’s The Influence of Animism on Islam, Chapter 2, Animism in the Creed and the Use of the Rosary: ‘Death takes place by means of a poisonous lance which is held by Izra’il the angel of death, who pierces the soul and detaches it from the body. (Cf. Surah 32:11).. The Angel of Death also takes the life of Jinn, of angels and even of animals.’ The teaching that the Angel of Death takes care of the soul of animals as well as of men’s souls is clearly animistic.”
Source: Massive Online Encyclopedia of Islam, art. Azra’il. http://www.bible.ca/islam/dictionary/index.html
In addition to the above problems, these encyclopedias hardly attempt at meeting the needs of a searcher of knowledge. Entries like, ‘Arsh, Kursiyy, Makruh, Abdaal, Childcare, Fasiq,’ and hundreds of other necessary ones are entirely missing. Also missing is the lives of the Salaf.
This encyclopedia attempts to meet the needs of the person endeavoring to deepen his knowledge of Islam. With its unique maps and illustrations, it is also a very good teaching aids in schools and colleges. Admittedly, it goes only half the way in meeting the need. Work is going on, and we expect to add more knowledge/date on this site in another’s year time, Allah willing.