YouTube Video Part 1:
https://youtu.be/IgXM33jRLKE?si=uVnYMXX2Hq6bYWh5
YouTube Video Part 2:
https://youtu.be/M6kmwyh1OL4?si=bwS7CGElEMYiwiVx
YouTube Video Part 3:
https://youtu.be/Jyqnn4_JwIw?si=DYEDLBANNTXNpWFY
YouTube Video Part 4:
https://youtu.be/jJqI3h7EY6I?si=lXl0uOMLmMlLX7vh
Muhammad Asad's name figures prominently on the roll of 20th-century English-language Muslim thinkers. Born as Leopold Weiss into a Polish family of strong Jewish background, he was a gifted young writer and adventurous traveler who journeyed to the East to discover Islam. The result of his travels is a highly charged and brilliantly written autobiography, The Road to Mecca. He found the Muslim world an unexpected tonic: its complexities, temperament and sense of spiritual security intrigued him. Over the decades that followed, he became the most articulate and passionate of Muslim scholars and writers, devoted to the revival of his faith and its reconciliation with the modern world.He had also undertaken a translation of Sahih al-Bukhari, the collected books of Prophetic traditions, but all his translations except one were destroyed during the chaos that followed World War II. At 80, he completed his translation and commentary of the Qur'an, The Message of the Qur'an. The Message of the Qur'an is widely recognised as among the best English translations and commentaries of the Qur'an and comparable to the famous works of Pickthall, Yusuf Ali and Daryabadi. His rendering is simple and straightforward. Although widely known as a proponent of conservative Islam, his translation departs from the traditional exegetic approaches and reflects his deep knowledge of Jewish and Christian scriptures. Asad's work however is difficult to obtain and expensive. The work is published in a bulky format, and is hindered by the use of small typeface. In the last three years, Islamic Book Trust began the task of re-issuing this important work in a new and attractive typeset and beautifully bound. It also boasts of a comprehensive index and uses the standard Uthmani Qur'anic script Source:
https://www.youtube.com/@soubarachiromu/videos
Amazon:From Jews to Muslims: Twentieth-Century Converts to Islam-Shalom Goldman- Professor of Religion at Middlebury College. Chapter 2 dedicated to Muhammad Asad (Leopold Weiss)
From Jews to Muslims: Twentieth-Century Converts to Islam tells the stories of twentieth century Jewish intellectuals and activists and their various and complex reasons for converting to the Islamic faith. This book opens with a chapter on the work of late nineteenth century European Jewish scholars of Arabic and Islam who evinced a deep interest in Islam, but did not leave Judaism for the ‘sister’ religion that so fascinated them. Their work examined Jewish-Muslim parallels and differences, and they brought forth the idea that the Convivencia, the imagined Golden Age of Muslim-Jewish intellectual and artistic cooperation, could serve as a model for contemporary inter-religious relations. In the twentieth century a new tendency emerged, that of Jews in Europe, the US, and Israel who left Judaism to become Muslims. Zionism struck each of these converts as deeply problematic, and by becoming Muslim, these converts understood that they were joining a tolerant universalist religion that rejected what they saw as ‘Jewish particularism.’ Whether the geopolitical events of the twentieth century confirmed, complicated, or refuted their aspirations will be revealed in this book’s compelling narratives.
Article:Leopold Weiss, the Jew Who Helped Invent the Modern Islamic State:‘Europe’s gift to Islam’ was born in Austria-Hungary 116 years ago this week. His ideas on the intersection of politics and religion are more relevant than ever. Shalom Goldman-Tablet-June 30,2016
The Message of the Qur’an by Muhammad Asad, dedicated to “people who think”, serves as a matchless aid to understanding the Holy Book of Islam and provides in itself a complete education in the faith.
As the distinguished British Muslim, Hasan Gai Eaton, explains in a new Prologue to the work, there exists no more useful guide to the Qur’an in the English language than Muhammad Asad’s translation and commentary, and no other translator has come so close to conveying the meaning of the Qur’an to those who may not be able to read the Arabic text or the classical commentaries.
Muhammad Asad’s obituary in the Independent praised his magnum opus, The Message of the Qur’an as a work without rival in English as an interpretation of the Holy Book, not only in its “intellectual engagement with the text”, but also in its “intimate, subtle and profound understanding of the pure classical Arabic of the Qur’an”. This new edition makes the work even more accessible by introducing:a complete Romanized transliteration of the Arabic text.
a supporting guide to pronunciation.
a newly compiled general index of names and key concepts.
Original artwork by the internationally renowned Muslim artist and scholar, Dr. Ahmed Mustafa.
The unique value of Muhammad Asad’s lifelong labor in bringing to light the teachings of the Qur’an is becoming widely and deservedly recognized at a time of growing worldwide interest in what the universal message of Islam has to offer mankind.
Mecca Books:The Road to Mecca: Muhammad Asad
meccabooks.comA timeless spiritual classic, this gripping and insightful autobiography of an Austrian journalist, who fully immersed himself in the life and faith of the Islamic world, permanently reorients the reader's view of the world.
Within a few paragraphs of this extraordinary and beautifully written autobiography, the reader recognizes he is immersed-profoundly so--in a timeless spiritual classic. 'Ultimate questions' do not vary over time; Asad's insightful elucidation of these concerns and his inspiring personal solutions deeply move both heart and mind.
In common with so many, Asad had "drifted into a matter of fact rejection of all institutional religions." He yearned for a life without the "carefully contained, artificial defenses which security-minded people love to build up around them," where he could find for himself "an approach to the spiritual order of things." He wondered if the European way of life-based on the betterment of economic and political conditions "was in its fundamentals, the only possible way."
He had the courage to look elsewhere.
The grandson of a Central European Orthodox rabbi, Asad found his first "quiet gladness" in Taoism where truths were as a window opening onto a long lost home far from "all narrowness and self-created fears." Asad regretted this "ivory tower" could not be lived in.
Against his father's wishes he left the pursuit of a doctorate in Vienna to take up journalism. His fascinating travels took him to Jerusalem, Arabia, and India, and finally into service at the United Nations. In 1926 Asad embraced Islam. His account of his years in Arabia, his desert adventures, friendship with King Saud, and marriage there is truly gripping while being a great read set against the fascinating background following the first World War.
A timeless spiritual classic including rare period photographs. This gripping and insightful autobiography of an Austrian journalist, who early in the 20th century fully immersed himself in the life and faith of Arabia, permanently reorients the reader's view of the world we live in.
"A very rare and powerful book, raised completely above the ordinary by its candor and intelligence… And what we gain is a cultural reorientation which should permanently affect our view of the world."
--New York Post
"A narrative of great power and beauty [Asad's] knowledge of Middle Eastern peoples and of their problems is profound; indeed in some respects his narrative is at once more intimate and more penetrating than that of Doughty."
--Times Literary Supplement
"[This] book is one which has burst with strange and compelling authority upon the small fraternity of Westerners who know Arabia...a book trenchant with adventure magnificently described, and a commentary upon the inner meaning of Arab and Moslem life, helpful to all who would achieve a more accurate understanding of the Arabs and their lands."
--Christian Science Monitor
"As revelatory a human document as even has been put together, persuasive and thoughtful, altogether fascinating."
--St. Louis Globe Democrat
"As extraordinary spiritual autobiography [It] combines the adventure and scenic beauty of a good travel book, some unusually informed comment on Near Eastern affairs, and a deeply thoughtful account of one man's finding of his own path."
--Book of the Month Club, New York
"As suffused with Arab lore as Sir Richard Burton and almost as adventuresome as T.E. Lawrence, Muhammad Asad offers a similar blend of daring action and thoughtful observation. In addition, he surpasses either of these great predecessors as a prose stylist and interpreter of the Islamic faith."
--New York World-Telegram & Sun
"Asad is a mystic. Many passages assume a striking, unearthly quality."
--St. Louis Post Despatch
About Author:Muhammad Asad, born Leopold Weiss; 2 July 1900 – 20 February 1992) was a Jewish-born Austro-Hungarian journalist, traveler, writer, linguist, thinker, political theorist, diplomat and Islamic scholar. Asad was one of the most influential European Muslims of the 20th century.
By the age of thirteen, young Weiss had acquired a passing fluency in Hebrew and Aramaic, other than his native languages German and Polish. By his mid-twenties, he could read and write in English, French, Persian and Arabic. In Palestine, Weiss engaged in arguments with Zionist leaders like Chaim Weizmann, voicing his criticism of the Zionist Movement.After traveling across the Arab World as a jourrnalist, he converted to Islam and chose for himself the Muslim name "Muhammad Asad"—Asad being the Arabic rendition of his root name Leo (Lion).
During his stay in Saudi Arabia, he spent time with Bedouins and enjoyed close company of Ibn Saud—the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. He also carried out a secret mission for Ibn Saud to trace the sources of funding for the Ikhwan Revolt. Due to these activities, he was dubbed in a Haaretz article as "Leopold of Arabia"—hinting similarity of his activities to those of Lawrence of Arabia.
In 2008, the entrance square to the UN Office in Vienna was named Muhammad Asad Platz in commemoration of his work as a "religious bridge-builder". Asad has been described by his biographers as "Europe's gift to Islam" and "A Mediator between Islam and the West".
First published in 1934, this book "Islam at the Crossroads" was written as plea to the Muslims of that generation to avaoid a blind imitation of Western scoail forms and values, and to try to preserve instead their Islamic heritage which once upon a time had been responsible for the glorious many-sided historical phenomenon comprised in the "Muslim Civilization". But, as it happened, much of what the author had aimed at was subsequently misunderstood by the readers and leaders who failed to grasp the full implications of his call to cultural creativeness and to return to the true ideology of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
This revised edition, it is hoped, would clarify something of the tragic confusion nowadys prevailing in the Muslim world. Thsi is dedicated to the Muslim youth of today, just as the original 1934 edition was dedicated to the Muslim youth of those days.
YouTube Video:10th annual Ibn Rushd lecture: ‘On the Margins: The Life and Contribution of Muhammad Asad’.Muslim Institute -Dr Josef Linnhoff -August 7, 2025
The Muslim Institute 10th Ibn Rushd lecture. Wednesday July 30th July, Artworkers Guild, Bloomsbury, central London. “Why is it that, even after finding my place among the people who believe in the things that I myself have come to believe, I have struck no root?” Muhammad Asad, The Road to Mecca. The Austro-Hungarian Jewish convert to Islam, Muhammad Asad (1900-92), was one of the most remarkable Muslim thinkers of the last century. Best known for his iconic autobiography, The Road to Mecca, Asad’s long career stretched almost the entire twentieth century and offers a window into many social, political and intellectual trends of modern Islam. Asad wrote widely in many genres of Islamic thought, from Qur’an translation to hadith commentary, political theory to Islamic law, and made notable contributions to each. Yet, Asad remains a marginal figure whose ideas have not received the interest and attention they deserve. Many of his works remain little-known today and some of his most important contributions—on anti-Zionism, or Islamic legal reform—have been entirely overlooked. His magnum opus, The Message of the Qur’an, reveals a mastery of the Islamic intellectual tradition that has yet to be recognized or examined. Over three decades since his death in 1992, we still await a comprehensive biography of Asad in English. All these issues, and more, are addressed in this 2025 Muslim Institute Ibn Rushd Annual lecture. Dr Josef Linnhoff combines a biographical sketch of Asad with a close look at some of his most important works. Linnhoff sheds light on overlooked aspects of Asad’s thought, challenge some misconceptions around Asad, and explore his complex relationship with the Muslim community of his day, asking why Asad found himself “on the margins,” in his own time and in the years since. The result is a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life and legacy of one of the most important, if neglected, Muslim thinkers of recent times. Josef Linnhoff holds a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Edinburgh (2020). He is Editor-in-Chief and Research Fellow at The Institute for Advanced Usuli Studies (“The Usuli Institute”) in Columbus, Ohio. He has published on various aspects of the life and thought of Muhammad Asad and is Editor of the forthcoming volume - The Life, Thought and Legacy of Muhammad Asad: Essays on Modern Muslim Reform - which will be published by Edinburgh University. The Muslim Institute, founded in 1971, is an independent Fellowship society of thinkers, academics, artists, creatives and professionals, funded by its Waqf – Trust – and the fees paid by its Fellows. It aims to support the growth of thought, knowledge, research, creativity and open debate within the Muslim community and wider society; and promotes community empowerment and self-reliance. The global history of ideas includes a handful of names whose contributions have stood the test of time: among those most celebrated is the twelfth century Muslim polymath Abu ‘l-Walid Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Rushd (1126-1198), known to the Latin West as ‘Averroes’. Ibn Rushd was a master of philosophy, theology, law and jurisprudence, astronomy, geography, mathematics, medicine, physics and psychology. He is seen as a founding father of secular thought in Western Europe, where his school of philosophy is known as Averroism. In the Muslim world, he is known largely for his defence of philosophy from theological attacks, particularly by scholastic theologian al-Ghazali (1058-1111). Today, all over the world, streets, statues and postage-stamps commemorate the life and works of one of the most important philosophers of all time. The Muslim Institute’s series of lectures, in honour of Ibn Rushd, which are intended to explore the contemporary relevance of Islam’s intellectual history are delivered annually in early summer by notable academics and thinkers. www.musliminstitute.org
