contemporary concerns
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On True Salafism, False Salafism & Ijma‘ Theology (2/2)
Keen readers of the blog might realise that the last time I addressed the issue of Salafism and orthodoxy was when this blog first started, back in 2012. I haven’t returned to the subject till now. The reason for that is straightforward. This is a day and age, and it’s probably been like this for… Continue reading
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On True Salafism, False Salafism & Ijma‘ Theology (1/2)
Much has been written about Salafism (salafiyyah) over the past half a century or so, particularly after 9-11. Among Muslims who ascribe to Sunni Islam, the whole concept of Salafism and what it stands for (and what it has done at the ground level) continues to be a source of great contention. While some see… Continue reading
contemporary concerns, knowledge & learning, orthodoxy & ahl al-sunnah, salafism reconsidered, short texts for reflection, theologyare most Muslims in hellfire?, are today’s salafis the real saved sect?, is the saved sect a tiny clique of people?, meaning of salafism, place of ijma‘ in Sunni orthodoxy, salafi ‘aqidah v. salafi manhaj, splitting over ijtihadi issues is hallmark of deviants, true salafism v. false salafism, who are the innovators?, who or what is a salafi? -
Reward for Reading Qur’an Without Knowing the Meaning
Q. Is there any reward for reading the Qur’an in Arabic, even if you don’t know or understand the meanings? If so, what would be the point? ♦ A. Alhamduli’Lah, wa’l-salatu wa’l-salam ‘ala rasuli’Llah. This nagging question has been around for a while. But only recently has it begun to be argued about in a… Continue reading
contemporary concerns, correctives & clarifications, pillars of religious practice, qur’an, tafsir, tadabburimportance of reflecting on the meaning of the Qur’an, Is it allowed to read the Qur’an without understanding?, Is it sinful to recite the Qur’an without understanding it?, Is there reward for reading the Qur’an without meaning?, the greater purpose of the Qur’an, the Qur’an and the salaf in Ramadan -
Feigning Islamic Learning
IN MANUALS WRITTEN TO train Muslim scholars and students of Sacred Law, it cautions to beware of becoming an Abu Shibr (lit. “Father of a Span”). Thus it is said that: ‘Knowledge has three spans [or stretches]: whosoever enters the first stretch becomes puffed up with pride; whoever enters the second is humbled; and whoever enters the third realises they know… Continue reading
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Humiliation of the Muslims: Causes & Cure
In one hadith that is so incredibly relevant to our times and our plight – which pinpoints the causes for why Muslims shall suffer collective humiliation and weakness, and what the cure for such socio-political degradation is – we read: ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates; that he heard the… Continue reading
causes for Muslim political weakness, dangers of becoming too clingy to the world, explaining the hadith of ‘inah, four reason why the ummah is experiencing humiliation, how will Allah lift the humiliation from the ummah?, place of jihad in Islam, restoring Muslim glory, root causes for Muslim weakness and the cure, types of jihad in Islam, why is the Muslim ummah suffering humiliation? -
The Hanbalis & Merry Christmas: To Greet or Not To Greet?
Q. Is it true that Imam Ahmad b. Hanbal and classical Hanbali scholars allowed Muslims to offer Christmas greeting to Christians? Based on this, a few fatwas today now allow us to wish our Christian friends, family or colleagues a Merry Christmas. Is this correct? A. I’ll address the issue of whether Hanbali jurists allowed offering Christmas greetings… Continue reading
Bin Bayyah’s fatwa on Christmas greetings, Can a Muslim take part in Christmas parties and celebrations?, can Muslims wish others a Merry Christmas?, Hanbalis forbid Christmas greetings, Islamic ruling on giving Christmas greetings, the Hanbali view on offering Christmas greetings, what does the shari’a say about offering Christmas greetings? -
Muslim Fitnah-Makers & their Fascist Fiqh!
This is a piece discussing how Muslims can be divided into three categories in terms of religious knowledge, and how the middle category is where much of the ummah’s woes and fitnahs spring from. And as counter-intuitive as it may sound, this middle problematic category are those that are commonly referred to as the more committed… Continue reading