politics & society
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Khawarij Ideology, ISIS Savagery: Caliphate & Jihad
The first instalment of this blog (here) charted the rise of Islam’s first heterodox sect, the Khawarij, who were described by the Prophet ﷺ as being: ‘the worst of mankind and beasts’1 and ‘dogs of Hellfire.’2 We saw how their defining traits were: (i) rebellion (khuruj) against legitimate state rule; (ii) declaring Muslims to be apostates (takfir) for sins or opinions… Continue reading
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Ibn al-Qayyim on why jihad is fought, ibn Kathir on the Khawarij, Ibn Taymiyyah on multiple Muslim states, ISIL, ISIS, ISIS are Khawarij, Islamic ruling on ISIS, Islamic State, jihad is not perpetual war, khalifah, khawarij, proofs against ISIS, sneaking out to join ISIS, true nature of jihad, true reasons why Muslims wage jihad, who are the Khawarij of our times? -
Khawarij Ideology, ISIS Savagery: the Takfiri Origins
As ISIS continues its murder and violence across the provinces it controls and seeks to control, and as it continues to plague the conscience of the great majority of Muslims around the world, what’s worth recalling is that we’ve seen this before in history with the sect called the Khawarij (anglicised to Kharijites). So before tackling ISIS, let’s look at their forerunners;… Continue reading
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Footprints on the Sands of Time 3
Mixing a little politics with spirituality, and marriage with social activism; and adding a few other meditations and musings about Muslims and the challenges of modernity in the mix, this is the third set of Footprints on the Sands of Time. The first two may be read here and here: ♦ On spiritual intelligence: The intelligent one understands what needs understanding and just goes… Continue reading
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While We Question Charlie, Let’s Question Ourselves Too!
While righteous anger when the Prophet ﷺ is mocked or insulted is integral to faith, we Muslims need to invest greater efforts into adhering to the actual obligations and duties instated by faith – be it in our acts or worship; our ethics and behaviour; our relationships; or our social contracts and transactions. The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘All my followers… Continue reading
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Political Violence & the End Days
One of the enormous achievements of our Prophet, peace be upon him, is that in less than twenty years he managed to bring law and order to a land that had hitherto been plagued with lawlessness and the absence of any political organisation whatsoever. In the event of a crime or injustice being committed, the norm was for… Continue reading
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Uhud & Hunayn: Lessons from the Frontline
In The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien puts these words into the mouth of the brave though modest Faramir (younger brother to the brave but impulsive Boromir): ‘War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the… Continue reading
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Living Faith in Secular Societies
These are some reflections based on a presentation I delivered at an Interfaith forum in November, 2011; arranged and hosted by al-Noor school. The discussion was about how the practice of one’s own faith is affected by the secular landscape of our society. How far my thoughts on the subject convey or represent the voice of… Continue reading
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Western Muslims: Prophetically-Inspired Voices of Dissent
This is a companion piece to the previous blog I wrote, called: British Muslims & their Strategies for Living in the UK (which can be read here). Here, I will discuss a few of the principles which ought to animate our engagement with wider society and our fellow citizens; and how, in the time honoured… Continue reading
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British Muslims & their Strategies for Living in the UK
In H.G. Wells’ The Sleeper Awakes, Graham, a troubled insomniac in 1890s England, falls into a sleep-like trance that he does not awake from for over two hundred years. When he finally does come out of his slumber, he awakens to a world with wondrous technological trappings, yet staggering social injustice and growing unrest. Horrified… Continue reading