Qissat al-Bashariyya

Qissat al-Bashariyya (The Story of Humanity) is an introductory book on Islam written by the contemporary Saudi scholar Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Hamad Qissat al-Bashariyya+1.

Purpose and Scope

The work was composed specifically as an introductory presentation of Islam addressed to non-Muslims, which accounts for its accessible style and deliberate minimization of scholarly footnotes and intricate technicalities Qissat al-Bashariyya. The author completed the book's preface in al-Zulfi on 5 Rabi' al-Thani 1420 AH Qissat al-Bashariyya. Al-Hamad introduces the work by observing that all people pursue happiness, yet worldly and philosophical approaches yield only incomplete or illusory peace; true and lasting happiness, he argues, is attained solely through faith in God and following His guidance Qissat al-Bashariyya. The book sets out to explain the purpose of human existence, the narrative of divine revelation, the foundational doctrines and practices of Islam, and its societal and moral dimensions Qissat al-Bashariyya.

Contents and Structure

The book is structured into several interconnected thematic discussions:

• The Narrative of Creation and Prophethood: The author narrates the beginning of humanity with the creation of Adam from clay, God commanding the angels to prostrate before him, the refusal and expulsion of Iblis (Satan), and the deception that led Adam and Eve to eat from the forbidden tree before repenting and descending to Earth Qissat al-Bashariyya+1. The book relates that humanity lived in monotheism for ten generations until polytheism arose, prompting God to send Noah as the first messenger, followed by successive prophets including Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, and Jesus, culminating in the mission of the final prophet, Muhammad ﷺ Qissat al-Bashariyya+1.
• The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and External Testimonies: The work outlines Muhammad's lineage, early life, character, marriage to Khadijah, the commencement of revelation in the Cave of Hira, the migration to Medina, and the rapid spread of his message Qissat al-Bashariyya+3. It highlights his illiteracy (ummiyya) and pristine moral reputation before prophethood as indicators of his veracity Qissat al-Bashariyya+1. To demonstrate how impartial observers recognize this, the text cites extensive quotations from the Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle in On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History, praising Muhammad's sincerity and dismissing claims that his mission was an imposture Qissat al-Bashariyya+2.
• Characteristics of Islam and Rational Concordance: Al-Hamad enumerates distinctive features of Islam, emphasizing its divine origin, its harmony with innate human nature (fitra) and intellect, its comprehensive balance of creed and law, and its promotion of social equality and justice Qissat al-Bashariyya+2. He discusses the alignment between Quranic statements and modern scientific discoveries—referencing works by Western writers such as Maurice Bucaille and A. Cressy Morrison—as well as the health wisdom behind Islamic dietary and hygiene regulations Qissat al-Bashariyya+2.
• Pillars, Creed, and Worship: The book explains the five pillars of Islam and the six articles of faith (belief in God, angels, revealed scriptures—especially the Quran—prophets, the Last Day including bodily resurrection and the afterlife, and divine decree/qadar) Qissat al-Bashariyya+5. It defines worship in Islam, specifying its two essential validity conditions: absolute sincerity (ikhlas) to God and adherence (mutaba'a) to the prophetic model Qissat al-Bashariyya. It also includes an enumerated overview of Islamic moral virtues and practical prohibitions Qissat al-Bashariyya+2.
• Status of Women and Contemporary Misconceptions: Al-Hamad examines the position of women in Islam, defending Islamic rulings on modest attire, marriage rights, inheritance distributions, and regulated polygyny, contrasting these protections with historical and contemporary abuses of women Qissat al-Bashariyya+3. He addresses modern criticisms, asserting that the political and economic decline of later Muslim generations reflects their neglect of religious teachings rather than any flaw inherent in Islam itself, and contrasts the humane ethics of historic Islamic civilization with modern Western warfare and imperialism Qissat al-Bashariyya+3.
• Entering Islam: The work concludes by explaining how an individual enters Islam through the dual testimony of faith (shahada) and begins learning its core practices Qissat al-Bashariyya.