What's New
Track the latest additions, content expansions, and improvements to the Islamic Heritage Encyclopaedia.
Recent Updates
New Articles: Seven Overlooked Figures in Islamic History
Seven new biographical articles covering figures spanning the earliest years of Islam through the twentieth century — a warrior of the Rashidun conquests, the first martyr of Islam, a queen of the Abbasid Golden Age, a rare woman instrument-maker, a West African warrior queen, an Indian revolutionary, and a pioneer of Indonesian women's Islamic education.
Major Expansions: South Asian & Mughal Articles to 12,000+ Words
Four key articles on South Asian and Mughal history expanded to encyclopaedic depth (12,000+ words each) with comprehensive coverage of military campaigns, governance, diplomacy, cultural patronage, and historiographical assessment.
New Article: Suhaib ibn Sinan al-Rumi
A comprehensive article on the companion Suhaib al-Rumi (c. 587–674 CE) — the Roman-born merchant who sacrificed his entire fortune to emigrate to Medina, led the community prayer during the Prophet's final migration, and served as interim leader during the shura that selected Uthman.
New Collection: The Prophets of Islam
A new collection grouping all 25 prophets explicitly named in the Quran — from Adam through Ibrahim, Musa, Dawud, Sulaiman, Yahya, and Isa to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — arranged in traditional chronological order with comprehensive descriptions.
- 25 prophets in chronological order
- Collection accessible from the browse page and article badges
Major Prophet Article Expansions to 15,000+ Words
Seven priority prophet articles expanded to encyclopaedic depth (15,000+ words each) with comprehensive Quranic analysis, hadith citations, theological discussion, comparative religion, and scholarly references: Ibrahim, Musa, Yaqub, Dawud, Sulaiman, Yahya, and Isa.
New Collections & Expanded Categorisation
Two new collections added — 'The Early Islamic Conquests' (the commanders and campaigns of the great expansion) and 'Islam in South Asia' (the subcontinent from the Sultanates to the modern age). The 'Women in Islamic History' collection was expanded, the homepage now surfaces all 11 article categories, and tag landing pages were introduced for browsing by topic.
- New collection: The Early Islamic Conquests (11 articles)
- New collection: Islam in South Asia (27 articles)
- Women in Islamic History collection expanded to 25 figures
- Homepage 'Browse by Category' now shows all categories
- Tag landing pages for browsing by topic
New Article: Abadi Bano Begum (Bi Amma)
A comprehensive article on Abadi Bano Begum (1852-1924), known as Bi Amma — the mother of the Ali Brothers and one of the first Muslim women to enter Indian nationalist politics, who mobilized women for the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation movements while observing purdah.
New Article: Hasrat Mohani
A comprehensive article on Maulana Hasrat Mohani (1875-1951) — the revolutionary poet, journalist, and freedom fighter who coined 'Inquilab Zindabad', was the first to demand complete independence for India, and combined mastery of the Urdu ghazal with radical anti-colonial politics.
Major Expansions: Mohammad Ali Jauhar & Shaukat Ali Khan
Both Ali Brothers articles expanded to 10,000+ words with comprehensive coverage of their journalism, Khilafat Movement leadership, alliance with Gandhi, imprisonment experiences, and historiographical assessment.
New Article: Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib
A new biographical article on the Prophet's uncle Abbas — custodian of the Zamzam well, facilitator of the conquest of Mecca, and ancestor of the Abbasid dynasty that presided over the Islamic Golden Age.
New Articles: Five Commanders of the Umayyad Conquests
Five comprehensive articles on the military commanders and rulers who expanded the Islamic world during the Umayyad era — from the conquest of North Africa and Iberia to the invasion of Sindh. Each article at 9,500-10,000 words covering campaigns, strategy, legacy, and historiography.
New Articles: Zamzam & Masjid al-Nabawi
Two new articles on sacred sites: the Zamzam well (its Abrahamic origins, geology, and spiritual significance) and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque in Medina — its construction, expansion through the ages, and role in Islamic scholarship).
Major Article Expansions: Key Events and Figures
Comprehensive rewriting and expansion of critical articles to gold-standard depth (8,000-12,000 words): the Conquest of Mecca, Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain, Standardization of the Quran, Constitution of Medina, Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib, and the full set of hadith scholars and fiqh imams.
New Article: Ashura — The Tenth of Muharram
A comprehensive article covering one of Islam's most significant dates — from its pre-Islamic origins and the Prophet's fast commemorating Musa's deliverance, through the martyrdom of Imam Husayn at Karbala in 680 CE, to Sunni and Shia observances across the modern world.
New Articles: Six Mothers of the Believers
Six new articles completing the full set of eleven Mothers of the Believers — the wives of Prophet Muhammad. Covering Sawda bint Zam'a, Zaynab bint Khuzayma (Mother of the Poor), Zaynab bint Jahsh (married by divine command), Juwayriyya bint al-Harith, Umm Habiba (daughter of Abu Sufyan), and Maymuna bint al-Harith (the last wife).
New Feature: Collections
A new Collections section grouping articles by theme, family, achievement, or shared identity — complementing Eras (time-based) and Learning Paths (sequential). Launched with 8 curated collections including the Ten Promised Paradise, Mothers of the Believers, the Four Imams, and more.
- 8 initial collections: Ashara Mubashara, Ahl al-Bayt, Mothers of the Believers, Six Hadith Masters, Four Imams of Fiqh, Decisive Battles, Women in Islamic History, Great Mosques
- Browse page with type filters and collection cards
- Individual collection pages with article grids
- Collection badges on article pages showing membership
- Collections integrated into site search
New Articles: Completing the Ten Promised Paradise
Two new articles completing the full set of Ashara Mubashara — the ten companions promised Paradise. Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf (the great merchant and arbiter of the shura) and Sa'id ibn Zayd (son of the hanif Zayd ibn Amr, catalyst of Umar's conversion).
New Articles: Ertuğrul Ghazi and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Two new biographical articles covering figures from vastly different eras and geographies — Ertuğrul Ghazi, the thirteenth-century Turkmen tribal leader and patriarch of the Ottoman dynasty, and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India's eleventh president, missile scientist, and advocate for youth education.
New Articles: Five Rulers of South Asian and Central Asian Islam
Five major new biographical articles covering rulers who shaped Islamic history in South and Central Asia — from Mahmud of Ghazni's campaigns into India, through the Delhi Sultanate's founding figures, to the Mughal Empire's most controversial emperor.
Dark Mode, Accent Colors, and Font Switcher
Three new personalization features: dark/light mode toggle, accent color picker (5 presets), and typography switcher (4 font families). All preferences persist across sessions.
- Dark mode with moon/sun toggle in header
- 5 accent color presets: blue, green, purple, amber, teal
- 4 font options: System, Inter, Merriweather, Noto Serif
- Preferences saved in localStorage with anti-FOUC protection
New Page: Bibliography
A dedicated Bibliography page listing approximately 75 curated academic and primary sources used across the encyclopaedia, organized into six categories from Quranic studies to modern scholarship.
- 75+ sources in 6 categories
- Primary Islamic Sources, Classical Historiography, Biographical Dictionaries
- Modern Academic Sources, Reference Works, Specialized Studies
- Accessible from the footer navigation
New Learning Path: Women in Islam
A curated learning path featuring 16 articles on women who shaped Islamic history — from Khadijah bint Khuwaylid and Aisha bint Abu Bakr through medieval queens and scholars to Nana Asma'u of the Sokoto Caliphate.
- 16 articles spanning the Prophetic Era to the 19th century
- Covers scholars, warriors, queens, and mystics
- Includes Khadijah, Aisha, Fatimah, Nusaybah, Arwa al-Sulayhi, and more
Articles Page UI/UX Overhaul and Filter Enhancements
Major improvements to the Articles page: unified filter bar design with custom dropdowns for Type, Era, Tag (searchable autocomplete), and Sort By. Article cards now display era badges, date ranges with calendar icons, and capitalized type badges. Advanced Search inner border issue resolved.
Expanded Eras (14) and Article Categories (12)
The encyclopaedia now features 14 historical eras and 12 article types for more granular browsing. New eras include Medieval Islamic World, African Islamic Empires, and South Asian Islam. New types include science, theology, practice, movement, and text.
Glossary Expanded to 85 Terms
The glossary has grown from 22 to 85 entries covering Islamic theology, jurisprudence, architecture, worship practices, political terminology, and scholarly concepts — each with Arabic script, transliteration, and cross-references.
Complete References Standardization Across All 251 Articles
Every article now carries a fully standardized References and Further Reading section with four mandatory subsections: Primary Islamic Sources, Classical Islamic Sources, Academic and Scholarly Sources, and Further Reading.
New Article: Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr — The Counter-Caliph of Mecca
A comprehensive new article on Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr (624–692 CE), the first child born to the Muhajirun in Medina, grandson of Abu Bakr, and the counter-caliph who ruled from Mecca in opposition to the Umayyads for nearly a decade.
Islamic New Year: Muharram 1448 AH
The Islamic month display has been updated to reflect the beginning of Muharram 1448 AH, the first month of the new Islamic year and one of the four sacred months.
Benchmark Articles Expanded and Deepened
The five benchmark articles at the heart of the encyclopaedia — Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr, Aisha, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Fatimah bint Muhammad — have been substantially expanded to encyclopaedic depth, alongside major expansions of the core Islamic texts, the Rashidun and Abbasid caliphates, and foundational events of early Islam.
Modern India Series: Five Muslim Statesmen and Scholars
New batch of articles covering significant Muslim figures in Indian history — scholars, politicians, and military leaders who shaped the subcontinent in the twentieth century, presented with strict historical neutrality and encyclopaedic depth.
33 New Articles: Scholars, Saints, Cities, and Civilisational Themes
A large batch spanning Islamic theology, jurisprudence, geography, biography, and civilisational history — from the great Imams of Islamic law to the cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, the Crusades, the fall of Granada, and key figures of the medieval and early modern Islamic world.
Prophetic Era Battles and al-Khwarizmi
Four pivotal battles of the Prophetic and early Islamic era have been added in depth — Uhud, Khandaq, and the Ridda Wars — alongside a full encyclopaedic article on al-Khwarizmi, the father of algebra, and the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
The Constitution of Medina
A detailed encyclopaedic article on the Constitution of Medina — one of the earliest written constitutional documents in history, establishing the framework of the first Muslim polity.
Hadith Sciences and the Four Schools of Law
A comprehensive batch covering the Six Canonical Hadith Collections and the founding Imams of the four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence — Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali — alongside Islamic medicine, astronomy, and algebra.
Abbasid Scholarly Hub Expanded: Scholars and the Golden Age
A second Abbasid batch adding biographies of the era's foremost scholars — al-Ghazali, Ibn Sina, al-Kindi, al-Razi, Muhammad al-Bukhari, Jabir ibn Hayyan, Harun al-Rashid — alongside the founding of Baghdad, the Mutazilite school, the Battle of Karbala, and the city of Cordoba.
Empires, Dynasties, and Geography: 30+ New Articles
A sweeping batch covering the Ottoman, Timurid, Safavid, Ghaznavid, Samanid, Delhi Sultanate, Ayyubid, Mamluk, Mali, Songhai, and Seljuk empires; key rulers including Saladin, Suleiman the Magnificent, Tipu Sultan, Razia Sultana, and Shajarat al-Durr; major cities and mosques; and civilisational themes such as Islamic trade routes, Islamic architecture, and Islam in Africa.
Prophets, Women of Islam, and Core Theology: 40+ New Articles
Major expansion covering the Prophets of Islam, notable women in Islamic history, Islamic theological concepts, battles and conquests, and key figures of the early Islamic period.
Homepage Enhanced with Learning Paths and Discovery Features
Major homepage redesign featuring Islamic Month Highlight, Featured Discoveries, Learning Paths preview, and enhanced visual design.
- Islamic Month Highlight section
- Featured Discoveries with premium cards
- Learning Paths preview
- Enhanced hero section
- Glossary preview section
Abbasid Scholarly Hub: 15 New Articles
Comprehensive expansion of Abbasid Era content focusing on scholars, institutions, and intellectual achievements of the Islamic Golden Age.
Rashidun Era: 12 New Articles
Major expansion covering the four Rightly Guided Caliphs and key events of the early Islamic period.
Recently Added Articles
The most recent additions and updates to our encyclopaedia, sorted by last updated date.
Amina of Zazzau: The Warrior Queen of the Hausa States
Amina of Zazzau (c. 1533-1610) was a Hausa warrior queen who ruled the city-state of Zazzau (modern Zaria, Nigeria) for 34 years, expanding its territory through sustained military campaigns, establishing fortified walls, and integrating the region into trans-Saharan trade networks.
Nyai Ahmad Dahlan: Founder of Aisyiyah and Pioneer of Indonesian Women's Education
Nyai Ahmad Dahlan (born Siti Walidah, 1872-1946) was an Indonesian Islamic reformer who founded Aisyiyah, the women's wing of Muhammadiyah, pioneering girls' education and literacy programs across early twentieth-century Java and earning recognition as a National Hero of Indonesia.
Sumayyah bint Khayyat: The First Martyr of Islam
Sumayyah bint Khayyat (d. c. 615 CE) was an early convert to Islam and the mother of the companion Ammar ibn Yasir, remembered as the first martyr in Islamic history after she was killed by Abu Jahl for refusing to renounce her faith.
Ashfaqulla Khan: Poet and Revolutionary of the Kakori Conspiracy
Ashfaqulla Khan (1900-1927) was an Indian Muslim revolutionary and poet who co-organized the 1925 Kakori train robbery with Ram Prasad Bismil to fund the anti-colonial Hindustan Republican Association, and was executed by the British for his role in it.
Zubaidah bint Ja'far: Queen of the Abbasid Golden Age
Zubaidah bint Ja'far (765/766-831 CE) was the wife of the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid and one of the most powerful and celebrated women of the Islamic Golden Age, remembered above all for financing the wells and reservoirs of the Darb Zubaydah pilgrim route between Baghdad and Mecca.
Al-'Ijliyyah: The Astrolabe Maker of Aleppo
Al-'Ijliyyah bint al-'Ijliyy (fl. 10th century CE) was an astrolabe maker active in Aleppo under the patronage of the Hamdanid emir Sayf al-Dawla, one of the few named women craftspeople of precision scientific instruments recorded in the medieval Islamic world.
Khawla bint al-Azwar: Warrior of the Muslim Conquest of the Levant
Khawla bint al-Azwar (d. 639 CE) was a Muslim woman warrior of the Banu Asad tribe who fought alongside her brother Dhiraar in the Rashidun conquest of the Levant, most famously at the Battle of Yarmouk in 636 CE, becoming one of the most celebrated women soldiers in Islamic history.
Babur: The Tiger of Hindustan
Babur (1483-1530), a Timurid prince who lost his Central Asian homeland, conquered Kabul, and founded the Mughal Empire in India after his victory at Panipat in 1526 — equally renowned as a warrior, poet, and memoirist whose Baburnama is a masterpiece of world literature.
The Kingdom of Mysore: Dynasty and State
The Kingdom of Mysore rose from a small principality under the Wodeyar dynasty in 1399 to become one of South India's most powerful states, reaching its zenith under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan before its restoration as a princely state under British suzerainty.
Hyder Ali: The Rise of Mysore's Greatest Ruler
Hyder Ali (1720-1782), the self-made military genius who rose from a minor officer to become the effective ruler of Mysore, transforming it into the most powerful state in southern India and mounting the first serious indigenous military challenge to British colonial expansion.
Tipu Sultan: The Tiger of Mysore
Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), the Tiger of Mysore, was a military innovator, administrative reformer, and one of the most formidable opponents of British colonial expansion in India, whose resistance and death at Srirangapatna made him an enduring symbol of defiance.
Suhaib ibn Sinan al-Rumi: The Profit of the Trade
Suhaib ibn Sinan al-Rumi, an early companion of Prophet Muhammad, sacrificed his entire fortune to emigrate from Mecca to Medina. The Prophet declared him 'the profit of the trade' and the Quran praised those who sell themselves seeking God's pleasure.
Prophet Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam)
Prophet Isa (Jesus), the Messiah born of the Virgin Maryam, is one of the greatest prophets in Islam — a miracle-worker who healed the sick and raised the dead, who was raised to heaven by God, and who will return before the Day of Judgment.
Prophet John the Baptist (Yahya ibn Zakariya)
Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist), son of Zakariya, was granted wisdom as a child, confirmed the Word of God (Jesus), and was martyred for speaking truth to a corrupt ruler — embodying ascetic devotion, moral courage, and prophetic integrity.
Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman ibn Dawud)
Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon), son of Dawud, was granted a kingdom unmatched in human history — commanding jinn, winds, and animals while ruling with legendary wisdom. His encounter with the Queen of Sheba and his hidden death reveal the depths of divine sovereignty.
Prophet David (Dawud ibn Isha)
Prophet Dawud (David), both prophet and king, was the slayer of Jalut (Goliath), the recipient of the Zabur (Psalms), and the ruler whose just governance and extraordinary devotion made him the Quranic model of the righteous sovereign.
Prophet Jacob (Yaqub ibn Ishaq)
Prophet Yaqub (Jacob), grandson of Ibrahim and father of the twelve tribes of Israel, endured decades of grief over the loss of his beloved son Yusuf with a patience that became the Quranic paradigm of beautiful endurance (sabr jamil).
Prophet Moses (Musa AS)
Prophet Musa (Moses), the most frequently mentioned prophet in the Quran, was the liberator of the Israelites from Pharaoh's tyranny, the recipient of the Torah on Mount Sinai, and the prophet honoured as Kalim Allah — the one to whom God spoke directly.