Maqbool Fida Husain was born in a Bohra Muslim family and was well versed in Islamic history, Persian language and Sufi mythologies along with Hindu mythology, having been born in the holy town of Pandharpur and regularly visiting Ram-Leela performances in Indore during his growing up years, wherein he bolstered his knowledge through extensive reading and interest. He used his trademark bold, vibrantly coloured brushstrokes in semi-cubist style to narrate tales of Islamic mysticism, Hindu mythology, Indian identity, the British Raj, Gaja Gamini - the spirit of the Indian woman, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi and other important and impactful historical and social events and personalities. He is known to have depicted every major religion, culture and civilization in his artworks.

Husain's iconic depiction of the Muslim faith Islam is portrayed in this monumental painting with the prominent incorporation of the holy urdu verses ‘Inalaho Jameelo ya Hubul Jamal’ (verily God is beautiful and he loves beauty).

This work is a landmark in Islamic arts heritage, comprising many cultural motifs - camels, palm trees, Arabic architecture - and filled with religious iconography; Buraq, the female-headed mythological horse known for ascending with the Prophet Mohammed to heaven in ‘Mairaj’, in 7th century, Jerusalem. Mystical verses ‘Kaaf’ and ‘Swaad’ are also depicted and balance the vivid composition. The extraordinaire night journey is depicted in the symbolic colours; blue, grey (most notably the dome of the ‘Mosque at Medina’ and the ‘Star & Crescent’), dark yellow (mustard), green and the shattered, split moon ‘Al-Shaqqul Qamar’. Hint of the Prophet Mohammed is suggested in a preaching pose, on the left side, in his signature black attire, with his finger of ‘Kalema-e-Shadah’ raised. The Judgment Day book of records called ‘Al-Loh-al-Mchfooz’ is depicted on the top right.

Painted in 1989, this acrylic on canvas titled ‘Isam’ is a pre-cursor to a series of works entitled ‘Theorama’ that celebrated different faiths, capturing the essence of various world religions like Jainism, Vedism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism etc. The subject of this impressive painting, that he re-visited often, represents an important period in the artist's career where he began to explore notions of theosophy and religion. The canvases made by Husain during this time were a culmination of his thematic and stylistic concerns of the past decades and his response to the political situation of the time.