Jihad al-Turbani Biography

Jihad al-Turbani is a Palestinian author, poet, and Islamic historical researcher whose works of accessible Islamic history — most prominently 100 Greats of the Islamic Nation Who Changed the Course of History — have become bestsellers across the Arab world and have been translated into English, Turkish, Indonesian, and several other languages. He is best known to general readers for his ability to render the major figures and turning-points of Islamic history in a literary, narrative-driven Arabic prose that has appealed widely to younger readers and to those approaching Islamic history outside the formal academic register.

Al-Turbani's published books span popular history, the lives of the Companions, historical mystery novels, and reflective Islamic literature. Beyond 100 Greats, his major titles include Madrasat al-Sahaba ('School of the Companions'), an exploration of the Prophetic generation's approach to life and society; Madrasat al-Anbiya' ('School of the Prophets'); the 101 Mysteries series — popular Islamic-history mysteries tracing the lives and intrigues of figures including Khayreddin Barbarossa, Arius (in his historical-theological investigation of early Christianity), and the heroes of al-Andalus; and the historical novel series featuring the young researcher Nidal, culminating in Operation 101.

Beyond his books, al-Turbani has presented the popular YouTube series 100 Greats, narrating the lives of major Muslim figures from Suleiman the Magnificent to Hudhayfa ibn al-Yaman to Amr ibn al-As, and is also active as a poet whose verses have been performed by leading nasheed groups and singers. His core body of work — the historical biographies and the school-of-the-Companions material — continues to circulate widely and to draw new readers across the Arabic-speaking and English-speaking Muslim world.