Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes

Ansary grew up in Muslim Afghanistan, where exposure to a Eurocentric narrative of world history—such as through V. M. Hillyer’s Child’s History of the World—initially shaped his perspective. However, he later re-read Hillyer’s work and recognized its biases. Encounters with historian Arnold Toynbee and the influential book The Story of Mankind by Hendrick Willem Van Loon broadened Ansary’s understanding, embedding a Western-centric historical framework in his mind. Despite this, traditional Farsi history texts remained a staple in Ansary’s education, though he only studied them to pass exams.

Years later, while working as a textbook editor in the United States, Ansary faced the challenge of creating a world history textbook. This process involved interactions with various advisors, and Ansary discovered a tendency to minimize the significance of Islam in world history. His personal connection to Islam, through family heritage and scholarly exploration, contrasted with the prevailing view of Islam’s minor role in world history at the time.

Ansary’s reassessment of Islam’s historical impact, aided by maps showing the Islamic world’s considerable geographical span, revealed a significant yet often overlooked influence. The post-9/11 era rekindled Ansary’s interest in Islam’s role in global history, leading to deeper exploration and his realization that an alternative, parallel world history to the Western-centric narrative exists.