salafism reconsidered
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Ibn Taymiyyah’s Letter on Muslim Unity
THIS POST LOOKS at how Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah advised some people who were in the grip of an intense and frenzied theological dispute, which was unleashing untold fitnah, had gone beyond bounds, and was inciting mutual hatred, schisms and boycotting. The lessons the Shaykh is hoping to impart, and get us to take to… Continue reading
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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
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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
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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? -
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
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Ibn Taymiyyah’s Golden Rule On Bid‘ah
Religiously, bid‘ah has been defined by the scholars with slightly varying expressions, all of which revolve around the idea expressed by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali: الْمُرَاد بِالْبِدْعَةُ: مَا أُحْدِثَ مِمّا لَا أَصْلَ لَهُ فِي ِالشَّرِيْعَةِ يَدُلُّ عَلَيْه – ‘What is meant by bid‘ah is: That which is newly-introduced, having no basis in the Sacred Law to substantiate it.’1 Although the definitions of… Continue reading
definition of bid’ah, false notions about bid‘ah, Ibn Taymiyyah on whether the mawlid is a bid‘ah or legitimate difference of opinion, Ibn Taymiyyah’s principle concerning bid‘ah, Ibn Taymiyyah’s true view on bid‘ah, is reciting the Qur’an for the deceased a bid‘ah?, things that people think are bid‘ah but are not, understanding bid‘ah in Islam -
A Brief Word On Sufis, Sufism & Spiritual Wayfaring
Far from being foreign to Islam, sufism – the science of spiritual excellence (‘ilm al-ihsan) and purification of the soul (tazkiyat al-nafs) – is a central aspect of the religion. In fact, it is its very core or heart. This is especially true when such sufism reflects the spirit of the early traditionalists or ahl… Continue reading
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Taqlid & Madhhabs: the Good, Bad, and the Ugly [2/2]
The second part of this article explores the prohibited forms of taqlid which, unlike the prescribed type (see Part I), may rightly be called “blind following”. It also corrects some of the misguided notions and far-fetched interpretations in this regard; interpretations that are falsely peddled as being the stance of our past Imams and pious predecessors.… Continue reading
can a muslim pick and choose between madhhabs?, conditions for following a madhhab, Ibn al-Qayyim on taqlid, Ibn taymiyyah on taqlid and madhhabs, madhhabs vs. Qur’an and Sunnah, must a Muslim follow one madhhab?, prescribed and prohibited taqlid, salafi myth about taqlid and madhhabs, taqlid is not blind following, truth about taqlid