Jihad al-Tarbani
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Jihad al-Tarbani is a contemporary author and historical researcher best known for his biographical survey Miat min Uzama Umat al-Islam Ghayyaru Majra al-Tarikh (One Hundred of the Greats of the Nation of Islam Who Changed the Course of History), completed in 1431 AH / 2010 CE.
Historical Approach and Methodology
Al-Tarbani conceived his historical writing in direct response to the ranking of influential figures by American author Michael H. Hart. He argued that Hart’s ranking lacked ethical distinction by placing destructive conquerors such as Genghis Khan and Adolf Hitler alongside religious leaders, and by comparing the Buddha to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In response, al-Tarbani sought to present an alternative compilation profiling one hundred exemplary figures and episodes from Islamic history, deliberately excluding the prophets.
In defining his scope, al-Tarbani adopted an expansive theological conception of the Islamic nation (ummah), encompassing all monotheistic believers throughout human history rather than restricting it solely to the post-prophetic era. His selection spans a wide geographical range—from Japan and South Africa to Sweden and Chile—and encompasses diverse profiles, including women, rulers, military leaders, scholars, poets, and unnamed historical figures such as anonymous soldiers and martyrs. Rather than ranking these figures by merit or arranging them chronologically, he employed an interlocking narrative designed to weave their biographies into a continuous presentation of Islamic history.
A central theme in al-Tarbani's work is resistance against what he terms "historical invasion" (al-ghazw al-tarikhi), which he describes as a systematic distortion of Islamic history and its prominent figures—such as Amr ibn al-As—by Orientalists and modern educational curricula. He argues that these distortions generate feelings of internal defeat and alienation among Muslim youth by depriving them of authentic role models. To counter this, he advocated applying critical verification methods, drawing on principles akin to hadith criticism (al-jarh wa-al-tadil), to unverified historical accounts.
Reception
In a foreword dated Ramadan 1431 AH, the Egyptian scholar Muhammad ibn Abd al-Malik al-Zughbi praised al-Tarbani's work for its engaging literary style and dramatic presentation, commending his initiative to rectify historical misconceptions and offer an educational alternative for contemporary readers.
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List of Works
Miat min Uzama Umat al-Islam Ghayyaru Majra al-Tarikh (One Hundred of the Greats of the Nation of Islam Who Changed the Course of History) is a historical work published in 1431 AH / 2010 CE. Conceived as a critical alternative to ranked biographical lists, the single-volume compilation traces the broader narrative of Islamic history by profiling one hundred Muslim figures, collectives, and episodes across diverse regions, excluding the prophets.