Historical Trivia

In the vast landscape of Islamic history, few figures stand as prominently as Shah Waliullah. Born in 1703 in Delhi, India, Shah Waliullah was a scholar, reformer, and spiritual leader whose profound insights and visionary teachings continue to influence Islamic thought and practice to this day. At a time when the Muslim world was grappling with internal strife, external threats, and social upheaval, Shah Waliullah emerged as a candle of wisdom, guidance, and renewal. His life's work was dedicated to reviving the spiritual and intellectual vitality of Islam, and to fostering unity, understanding, and cooperation among Muslims. Shah Waliullah's contributions to Islamic scholarship were manifold. He was a prolific writer and commentator, producing numerous works on theology, jurisprudence, mysticism, and Quranic exegesis. His magnum opus, "Hujjat Allah al-Baligha" (The Conclusive Argument from God), remains a seminal text in Islamic philosophy and theology, exploring th...

In the turbulent era of the civil rights movement, one name stands out as a towering figure of courage, intellect, and uncompromising advocacy: Malcolm X. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm X emerged from a tumultuous upbringing to become one of the most influential and controversial leaders of the 20th century, leaving an indelible mark on the struggle for racial justice and equality Malcolm X's early years were marked by adversity and hardship. Raised in a family deeply affected by racial violence and discrimination, he experienced firsthand the brutality and injustice of America's segregated society. After the death of his father and the institutionalization of his mother, Malcolm X's life took a downward spiral, leading him into a life of crime and incarceration. It was during his time in prison that Malcolm X underwent a transformation that would shape the course of his life. Inspired by the teachings of the Nation of Islam (NOI), he embra...

Allama Muhammad Iqbal:  The poet of EastEmbark on a journey through the life and legacy of Mohammad Iqbal, a towering figure whose intellectual prowess and poetic brilliance continue to inspire generations. Born in 1877 into a Kashmiri Brahmin family that embraced Islam centuries earlier, Iqbal's journey from the streets of Sialkot to the halls of academia and the corridors of power is a testament to the transformative power of education and enlightenment. Early Life and Education: Raised in Sialkot, Iqbal received a traditional education in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, laying the foundation for his future intellectual pursuits. His quest for knowledge led him to the Scottish Mission School and eventually to Trinity College, where he delved into the depths of philosophy. Armed with a Master's degree and later a degree in law, Iqbal's thirst for knowledge knew no bounds, culminating in a doctoral degree from Germany on the Development of Metaphysics in Persia. A Multifaceted C...

Vladmir Lenin: In the annals of history, few figures loom as large as Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Comrade Lenin. Born in 1870 in the western city of Simbirsk, Russia, Lenin's life was marked by a relentless pursuit of justice, equality, and revolutionary ideals. As a Russian communist revolutionary, politician, and political theorist, he left an indelible mark on the course of human history, shaping the destiny of nations and inspiring generations of activists around the world. Early Life and Influences: Lenin's journey into the realm of revolution began amidst the turbulent winds of change sweeping across Russia in the late 19th century. Raised in a family steeped in intellectualism and activism, his formative years were marked by tragedy and turmoil. The sudden loss of his father, followed by the imprisonment and execution of his eldest brother, thrust Lenin into the role of the family patriarch at a young age, instilling in him a sense of duty and determination ...

Syed Fazal ul Hasan: (1878-1951) Syed Fazal ul Hasan who chose his pen name Hasrat was born Mohan a town in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. He received his early education in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu at home, after that he moved to Aligarh where he achieved his degree of B. A from Muhammadan Angelo Oriental College. After graduation he got himself enrolled in Law but abandoned his further studies Hasrat was keenly aware of the socio-political conditions of his time. Since his graduation from Aligarh in 1903 till his death in Lucknow in 1951, he worked constantly and played multiple roles such as a Social-Activist, Politician, Freedom fighter, Journalist, Critic, Poet, a Deeply religious Muslim of a liberal makeup, and God-fearing communist. Working in various directions, he laid the foundation of an influential journal of that time  ' Urdu-i-Mualla ', he worked for the Indian National Congress Party reserving important offices, he also remained active with ' The Swa...

 Martin Luther King, Jr.  (1929 – 1968)  Michael King, Jr  famously known as Martin Luther King,   was an American pastor, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He was best known for improving civil rights by using nonviolent civil disobedience, based on his Christian beliefs. Because he was both a Ph.D. and a pastor, King is sometimes called the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. (abbreviation: the Rev. Dr. King), or just Dr. King. He is also known by his initials MLK. King worked hard to make people understand that not only blacks, but that all races should always be treated equally to white people. He gave speeches to encourage African Americans to protest without using violence. Led by Dr. King and others, many African Americans used nonviolent, peaceful strategies to fight for their civil right. These strategies included sit-ins, boycotts, and protest marches. Often, they were attacked by white polic...

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918 – 2013) The South African politician and activist was born in the Madiba clan to a Thembu royal family, in the village of Mvezo , in the East of Cape, on 18 July 1918. In 1930, when he was 12 years old, his father passed away and Mandela became the ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni (African Village, Pronounced: Maa key zee when ee). He received his early education from primary school in Qunu, where according to the school's custom, he was given Christian name ' Nelson '. Later, he went to Clarkebury Boarding Institute to complete his Junior Certificate then to Healdtown to complete his matriculation. When he was studying  Bachelor of Arts from the University College of Fort Hare he was expelled because of joining student protest.  When he returned to the Great Place of  Mqhekezweni, the King was in anger and said if he and his cousin would not come back to the Fort the King will arrange wives for them. Instead of goi...

Omar Al-Mukhtar: (1858-1931) " The sentence on you Omar Mukhtar is Death by hanging in Public ."   " From God we come, and unto God, we shall return ". The National hero of Libya, revolutionist and member of the Senusy Omar AL-Mukhtar led a religious organization with administrative and military functions and led the anti-colonial resistance in Cyrenaica from 1923 to 1931 when he was captured by the Italians and condemned to death. He was  called  The Lion of the Desert , known among the Colonial Italians as  Matari of the Monifa. Though his date of birth is uncertain, he was born between 1856 and 1862. He learned Islam at an early age and became Hafiz after which he started to teach the Quran as a scholar till he came to the age of 53, it was the time when his life was about to take a new phase. During the Italian-Turk war in October, an Italian naval regiment arrived at the coast of Libya, then a territory subject which was under the control of Ottoman. Italian th...