#7 DDN - Igniting a Second Golden Age of Islam
#7, 24 April 2025, The Divine Duty Newsletter
Assalamu Alaikum!
Welcome to Issue #7 of the Divine Duty Newsletter - all about one of my favourite topics - the Golden Age of Islam. In particular, how do we revive a version 2.0?
I didn’t produce a newsletter during Ramadan so I’ll make up for it with a super bumper edition, this time around.
We have access to more knowledge than ever before in human history - yet we've never been more intellectually malnourished.
While our ancestors built House of Wisdom libraries and astronomical observatories that transformed humanity's understanding of the world, we scroll endlessly through the algorithmic feeds designed to keep us distracted.
The first Golden Age wasn't accidental. It was the natural outcome of a civilisation that took Allah's first revelation seriously: "IQRA! “Read in the name of your Lord."
Today, we stand at a pivotal moment. The tools, knowledge, and potential for a Second Golden Age exist right now.
The only question is: Will you contribute or remain a consumer?
Before diving in, check out the free scorecard that assesses how aligned your life is with your true purpose. 3,000+ Muslims have taken it so far! (link)
In today’s Golden Aged-themed newsletter, we will go over:
Quaint Quotes – Islamic wisdom that fuelled the original Golden Age and can inspire our revival
Deep in Thought – The Mathematics of Revival: how x many Muslims could transform civilisation as we know it
Fascinating Frameworks – The Three-Phase Transformation Model from the Prophetic Roadmap
Actionable Insights – Practical steps to contribute to the revival of the Second Golden Age
Recommended Resources – Essential readings, videos and documentaries to deepen your understanding
Upcoming Livestream – Globalising the Call for a Second Golden Age with Safiyyah Sabreen
This is our opportunity to reclaim our civilisational legacy and build something greater for future generations. Let's begin, bismillah.
"There are no incurable diseases, only the lack of will. There are no worthless herbs, only the lack of knowledge." — Ibn Sina
One of history's greatest physicians didn't see limitations, he saw opportunities for discovery. The Canon of Medicine, his encyclopedic work, remained Europe's medical authority for 700 years. His mindset wasn't just medical but represented the Golden Age approach to all problems: what appears impossible merely awaits deeper understanding.
"We ought not to be embarrassed of appreciating the truth and of obtaining it wherever it comes from, even if it comes from races distant and nations different from us. Nothing should be dearer to the seeker of truth than the truth itself, and there is no deterioration of the truth, nor belittling either of one who speaks it or conveys it." — Al-Kindi
This radical intellectual openness fuelled the translation movement that preserved Greek, Persian, and Indian knowledge. The scholars of this era weren't threatened by external wisdom, they sought it, refined it, and built upon it. They understood that truth, regardless of source, ultimately belongs to the believers. Ego has no place in knowledge pursuit. Truth stands above personality, politics, and prejudice, a principle we desperately need to reclaim today.
"The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim." — Prophet Muhammad (saw) (Ibn Majah)
This hadith was the engine that powered an intellectual revolution. When an entire civilisation takes knowledge-seeking as a religious obligation, excellence becomes inevitable. The first Muslims didn't separate sacred from secular knowledge; all knowledge that benefited humanity was considered sacred.
"The Second Golden Age doesn't need to be built - it needs to be unleashed." - Faisal Amjad
Yes I quoted myself haha. This frames our entire approach to revival. We're not starting from scratch, we believe the potential already exists within our Ummah. Our task isn't construction but first it is liberation: removing the barriers that contain our collective excellence. Like a dam holding back a powerful river, once released, it will flow unstoppably with our collective genius and energy, I really believe that.
The Mathematics of Revival
How many Muslims does it take to resurrect a Golden Age?
While most of us look back at Islamic civilisation's Golden Age with nostalgia, few understand the mathematical principles that could make it happen again.
Between the 8th and 14th centuries, Muslims led humanity in every field of knowledge – from medicine to astronomy, mathematics to architecture. They invented algebra, pioneered surgery, established universities, and preserved the knowledge that would eventually even spark Europe's Renaissance.
But what if I told you this wasn't just history... but a blueprint?
What if revival doesn't require all 1.8 billion Muslims to transform overnight, but just a critical mass of purpose-driven pioneers?
In the full article, "The Mathematics of Revival: Calculating the Path to a Second Golden Age", I explore the network theory behind civilisational transformation and make a compelling case for the exact number of leaders needed to trigger unstoppable momentum.
The first Golden Age emerged from a specific mindset, approach to knowledge, and understanding of our divine duty. And that same combination can be rekindled today.
The Second Golden Age isn't just possible. With the right approach, it's inevitable.
Read the complete article here (link)
The Prophetic Roadmap to a Second Golden Age
The most powerful blueprint for revival doesn't come from modern innovation theories, it comes from studying the original transformation that produced the greatest generation in history: the Sahabah.
This progression was not accidental but strategic. As the Prophet (saw) said,
"My companions are like stars. Whichever of them you follow, you will be guided right."
The Quranic worldview transformed backwards Bedouins into people who changed the world through this exact three-phase progression. This provides us with a precise roadmap needed to move towards reviving a Second Golden Age.
Phase 1: VISION (Revelation)
When the Quran was first revealed, it provided people with no precedent of greatness a vision that transformed their understanding of what was possible.
Established a "begin with the end in mind" mentality where conviction that success was inevitable, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
Phase 2: UNLEARN & RELEARN (Makkah) - Individual Transformation
13 years in Makkah focused on intellectual and spiritual transformation
Removing faulty programming and returning to fitrah (natural state)
Setting core principles and foundations of purpose
Building resilience through difficulty in a hostile environment
The discipline: Developing CHARACTER before authority
Phase 3: IMPLEMENTATION & IMPACT (Madinah) - Collective Transformation
10 years in Madinah applying the vision and character developed earlier
Creating systems, structures, and institutions
Lifelong learning and expanding on principles
Service and tangible impact on humanity
The fruit: Transforming theory into PRACTICE
The main actionable insight for this edition is to attend the upcoming livestream!
Here are the details:
📅 Sunday 27th April 2025
⏰ 4 PM (BST)
🎙️ Speaker: Safiyyah Sabreen
📍 Live in the KNOW Community→ skool.com/kn-ow [Join community to attend]Join Safiyyah Sabreen, a PhD researcher at the University of Liverpool, as she explores how we can awaken a new era of excellence rooted in knowledge, innovation, and spiritual revival. From the echoes of the first Golden Age to the realities of today, it’s time to globalise the momentum. You won’t want to miss this!
And secondly, read, watch and consume all of the links I’ve shared with you below!
The Building of a Second Golden Age Starts Here (article): A passionate plea to rekindle the visionary spirit we once had. (link)
Could Today's Infinite Knowledge Unlock a New Golden Age? (article) – My exploration of how information abundance could spark a renaissance if properly harnessed. (link)
The Second Golden Age Series (video series) – A comprehensive 20 part video series exploring the conditions that created the first Golden Age and how we can recreate them. View for free within our community (link) (here’s a review)
Why Mastering Authentic Content and Media is the Key to Reviving a Second Golden Age – How media leadership is essential for intellectual revival. (link)
The Right Information at the Right Time Can Change the World – Learn how a little bit of knowledge at the right time is crucial for any transformation. (link)
Why Lifelong Learning Results in Greatness for your Organisation (or Empire) – Lessons from Baghdad, Cordoba and modern tech companies. (link)
The Golden Age of Islam Official Documentary (documentary) – An overview of Islamic civilisation's golden era put together by Safiyyah Sabreen. (link)
Reviving Lost Legacy: 6-Hour Masterclass (course) - This is a comprehensive masterclass we put together to look at the rise, fall and upcoming rise of the Ummah. This can be found within the community (link) (must be at level 4)
10 people from the Islamic Intellectual Revolution you need to know:(ebook) Learn more about some of the icons of the golden age of Islam. (link)
Ready to move forward and be one of the purpose-driven pioneers? Reply "pioneer" to this email and I'll send you the details
Join our FREE community of like-minded action-takers (link)
If you’d like to work with me, you can apply to book a call here (link)
Or if you’d like to work with me 1-2-1 you can join the waitlist (link) (3 slots left)
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You, the people will decide
Remember, the Second Golden Age isn't about recreating history, it's about reclaiming our divine purpose. To be an Ummah that has done justice to our existence.
Small beginnings. Strategic positions. Vision over nostalgia.
As I've shared, this is our opportunity to revive, rebuild, and lead once again.
May Allah guide each of us to discover our unique role in this revival, grant us the courage to pursue excellence, and make us among those who transform the Ummah.
Please let me know what you think of these newsletters and give me suggestions for themes for future issues. I promise to read every single email insha’allah!
Until next month,
Faisal
P.S. Here are the previous editions if you'd like to check them out:
#1: The Two Seas of Knowledge | #2: Knowing Yourself | #3: Being an Amazing Action Taker | #4: Balance, Meezan and the Middle Path | #5: Biomimicry and Learning from Nature | #6: The Ramadan Edition
