Why Muslims Lagged Behind and Others Progressed

Why Did Muslims Lag Behind? And Why Did Others Progress? is a powerful and thought provoking work that explores one of the most important questions in history: why did Muslim societies decline while others advanced?

Originating from a heartfelt 1928 letter by Imam Mohammad Basyuni Imran of Java, Shakib Arsalan’s response challenges the common belief that religion was the cause of decline. Instead, he argues that Islam itself was never a barrier to progress, highlighting how other nations moved forward while still holding firmly to their faith.

Through a rich historical journey from the golden age of early Islamic civilization to the impact of European colonialism and discussions within the British Parliament Arsalan demonstrates how Muslims once led the world in knowledge, innovation, and leadership. More importantly, he shows that progress was always tied to action, unity, and purpose.

Insightful and still highly relevant today, this book continues to inspire readers to reflect on the past while thinking critically about the future.

About the Author

Nadeem Mumtaz Qureshi is a scholar of Arabic, translator, and columnist. He was trained as a civil engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. After a successful career in business, he now dedicates his time to exploring and translating the works of early Arabic writers, making them accessible to modern readers.

Product Details

• Title: Why Muslims Lagged Behind and Others Progressed
• Author: Nadeem M. Qureshi
• ISBN-13: 9786246633738
• Publisher: Jam Fruit Tree Publications
• Published: February 2026
• Pages: 162
• Language: English
• Binding: Paperback