contemporary concerns
-
Ten Principles of Politics in Islam
If Muslim political engagement isn’t to be ungodly or Machiavellian, what are the core Revealed principles that must lie at the heart of our political outlook and actions? Or is politics always unethical and unclean such that those trying to traverse the path of taqwa should steer clear of it? And do specific political events… Continue reading
-
Politics or Da‘wah? A Short Reflection
This is a short reflection on the question of whether we Muslims of Britain should be focused more on da’wah or on politics, or could we (or should we) do both in equal measure? The reflection starts with three texts to consider: one verse, one hadith, and a scholarly saying. The post itself is based… Continue reading
-
How Much Knowledge Do I Need for Da‘wah?
Q. DO I NEED to be a scholar or student of knowledge to make da‘wah? And what about the hadith: ‘Convey from me, even if it is one verse. [Al-Bukhari, no.3461] Does this mean that anything I know about Islam, large or small, I can preach and teach to others? A. Perhaps a good place… Continue reading
-
Palestine: Victory is Already Here!
ALTHOUGH THE TITLE sounds like a clickbait one, I can assure the reader that it is rooted in the Qur’an itself. Permit me the indulgence to explain: I. THE VICTORY The Holy Qur’an says: Truly Our word to Our servants, the Messengers, has gone forth: Indeed it is they who shall be victorious. [Q.37:171-2] Ibn… Continue reading
-
Rulers, Rebellions, Righteous Anger
THIS PIECE DISCUSSES the issue of whether or not Muslims can publicly criticise their Muslim ruler or government (if so, where, when and how), and if rebelling against state authority would Islamically be allowed? This article is a long read, comprised of seven sections. It’s an unarguable fact that Islam does not abide anarchy on… Continue reading
-
Muslim Modesty vs. Red Pill Masculinity
WHEN IT COMES to gender interactions, Islam insists on decent and appropriate behaviour and dignified conduct between the sexes. In other words, gender relations must be built upon the virtues of modesty (haya’), dignity (waqar) and respectability (haybah). In fact, it’s probably not an exaggeration to say that men simply can’t be men, or rijal, in… Continue reading
-
A Few Thoughts On the Death of Non-Muslims
SOME MUSLIMS LABOUR under the mistaken notion that given the enormity of disbelief in Allah’s final Prophet ﷺ and Revelation, one must not speak well of a non-Muslim (kafir) when they pass away on disbelief. Islamic teachings do not, however, require or insist upon such an uncharitable approach. Many non-Muslims died during the lifetime of… Continue reading
-
Learning Tawhid in Ten Minutes Or Ten Years?
By the late eighties, or maybe the early nineties, ‘‘Aqidah comes first’ started to become something of a slogan in certain Muslim quarters here in Britain. It can’t be dismissed that ‘aqidah, ‘creed’ or ‘belief’ (from ‘aqada: to tie, bind, fasten securely – out of which comes the idea of tying certain beliefs to the heart in utter conviction of… Continue reading
-
Is Today’s Islam a Failure or Success Story?
ONE COULD ARGUE that Islam, despite what we are being led to believe, is actually a modern success story. Now this might sound strange to some, perhaps to many. So let me explain: No doubt, media portrayals are negative, dark and gloomy. And of course, events around the world involving Muslims, or at least the… Continue reading