Commander of the Faithful: The Life and Times of Emir Abd el-Kader al-Jaza'iri (RA): John W.Kiser

 

 Emir Abdelkader al-Qadir al-Jazairi (1808-1883) was a venerated Algerian Islamic scholar and a military leader who led a collective resistance against the mid-nineteenth century French colonial invasion of Algeria. He is remembered today as one of the nineteenth century’s most inspiring leaders for his humane treatment of Christian opponents during Algeria’s anti-colonial struggle and for leading an intervention to rescue the Christian community in Damascus from certain massacre in the midst of sectarian riots in 1860.

Raised in his father’s zawiya, he excelled as a student, memorizing the Qur’an by the age of 14, and studying the Islamic religious sciences as well as subjects such as philosophy, medicine, and mathematics. He was especially known as a gifted orator who outshone his peers in the recitation of poetry and in delivering religious talks. His father, a notable spiritual leader affiliated with the Qadiriyya order, recognized his son’s precociousness, and cast a leadership role upon him shortly after the invasion of Algeria by France in 1830.              Source: Full Article- https://www.emir-stein.org/articles/emir-abdelkader/  

YouTube Video:  When Americans Honored an Icon of Jihad: John Kiser , Emir-Stein Center ,May 10, 2020 -Meet Emir Abdelkader the 19th century Statesman-scholar-warrior-leader, who won the hearts of friend and foe alike -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIHl6LhDbUk

Amazon:Commander of the Faithful: The Life and Times of Emir Abd el-Kader al-Jaza'iri (RA): John W.Kiser -This well-researched and compelling biography of the Muslim warrior-saint who led the Algerian resistance to French colonization in the mid-nineteenth century sheds light on current US involvement with a global Islam. The most famous "jihadist" of his time, Abd el-Kader was known equally for his military brilliance and his moral authority. His New York Times obituary called him "one of the few great men of the century."  https://www.amazon.com/Commander-Faithful-Life-Times-el-Kader/dp/0982324669

Amazon: The Compassionate Warrior: Abd el-Kader of Algeria - Elsa Martson -A brilliant military strategist, superb horseman, statesman, philosopher, Muslim hero . . . Emir Abdel Kader (1808-1883) was an international celebrity in his own time, known for his generosity and kindness even towards enemies. Today he is recognized as one of the noblest leaders of the 19th century and a pioneer in interfaith dialogue. This fascinating biography of the heroic Arab who led the resistance to the French conquest of Algeria, endured betrayal and imprisonment, and in 1860, in Syria, saved thousands of innocent people from mob violence brings a vital message for our times. https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Warrior-Abd-el-Kader-Algeria/dp/1937786102

Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emir_Abdelkader

Ibn Arabi Society: " God and The Perfect Man in the Experience of Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iry" Itzchak Weismann -This article deals with the spiritual experience of Amir ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza’iri, the most outstanding advocate of Ibn ‘Arabi’s thought at that crucial point of transformation into the modern era. Beginning with a sketch of ‘Abd al-Qadir’s life, I shall then proceed to explore his Akbarian mystical worldview in general and, within it, his concept of the Perfect Man in particular. Full Article :https://ibnarabisociety.org/abd-al-qadir-al-jazairi-god-and-the-perfect-man-itzchak-weismann/

The Spiritual Writings of Amir Abd al-Kader: Michel Chodkiewicz - https://sunypress.edu/Books/T/The-Spiritual-Writings-of-Amir-Abd-al-Kader2