The Humble I

June 21, 2021

The Aim Behind Reciting Allah’s Book

Based on the words of a famous seventh century master Qur’an reciter, ‘Ilm al-Din al-Sakhawi, this Qur’an Reflection visually sets out the aims for reciting the Holy Book and benefiting from its guidance. (Previous Qur’an Reflections can be seen here and here). Continue reading

consider Islam, qur’an, tafsir, tadabbur, visual qur’an reflections

three aims behind reciting the Koran, three reasons to recite the Qur’an, why read the Qur’an?
June 15, 2021

The Three Kinds of Tafsir

In Dan Brown’s novel, The Lost Symbol, the book’s central character, Professor Robert Langdon, is told that the Biblical ‘manna from heaven’ – the food God sent down to the Israelites during their long desert travels – is actually a code word for a profounder scientific truth understood only by those initiated. As part of… Continue reading

knowledge & learning, qur’an, tafsir, tadabbur, short read

deeper meanings of the Qur’an, examples of ishari or spiritual interpretations of the Qur’an, examples of tafsir isharah, is tafsir bi’l-ra’y authoritative?, rules for spiritual tafsir, rules of tafsir isharah, the right and wrong types of ray in tafsir, what are the three types of tafsir?, what is ishari interpretations of the Qur’an acceptable?
June 10, 2021

Comprehensive Verse on Noble Character

Here’s the second in the series of “Qur’an Reflections,” that aims to convey some of the essential meanings of the Holy Book, in a concise visual format. This one sums up the attitude which best represents nobility of character and conduct. It is one of the most comprehensive verses of the Qur’an encouraging forbearance towards… Continue reading

consider Islam, qur’an, tafsir, tadabbur, visual qur’an reflections

Islam encourages forbearance and forgiveness when mistreated, Islam’s teachings on how to behave with others, most comprehensive verse in the Qur’an about good character, Qur’an and good character
June 8, 2021

Nurturing Love for God

The above is the first in a series of “Qur’an Reflections” which aims to explain (in visual format) some of the ideas, practical wisdoms and subtleties that are found and embedded in the Holy Qur’an. This first one expresses eight practical ways in which we can actualise the reality of the above verse, based upon… Continue reading

consider Islam, qur’an, tafsir, tadabbur, visual qur’an reflections

Jawziyyah Institute, Qur’an reflections, quranic reflections, surkheel sharif, visual Qur’an reflections
June 3, 2021

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

contemporary concerns, correctives & clarifications, knowledge & learning, orthodoxy & ahl al-sunnah, salafism reconsidered, theology

al-albani and salafi manhaj, difference between salafi ‘aqidah and manhaj, difference between true and false salafism, signs of false salafism, what is true salafism?, when did the term salafi start?, when didi Hilmi invent the term salafi manhaj?, who invented salafi manhaj?, why salafi manhaj?
May 24, 2021

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, theology

are 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?
May 6, 2021

Remembering Allah Amidst the Noise & Chatter

‘ABD ALLAH B. ‘AWN (d.151H), one of Islam’s early pietists, said: « ذِكْرُ النَّاسِ دَاءٌ، وَذِكْرُ اللهِ دَوَاءٌ » – ‘Remembrance of people is a malady, remembrance of God is a remedy.’ After citing these words, Imam al-Dhahabi proclaimed with jubilant caution: إِي وَاللهِ، فَالعَجَبَ مِنَّا وَمِنْ جَهْلِنَا كَيْفَ نَدَعُ الدَّوَاءَ وَنَقْتَحِمُ الدَّاءَ؟ قَالَ اللهُ تعالى:… Continue reading

ethics & morals, short read, short texts for reflection

Islamic ruling on gossip, remembering God amidst all the gossip and chatter, vices of too much talking, virtues of dhikr, virtues of silence
April 26, 2021

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, tadabbur

importance 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
April 2, 2021

Footprints on the Sands of Time 8

These reflections are offered as part of a continued conversation about how we as Muslims can best retain meaning in modernity, and nurture an Islam that is true to its time-honoured tradition; relevant to our current context; and of benefit to man’s deepest needs. Previous ‘Footprints’ can be read here: Footprints 1 | Footprints 2 | Footprints 3… Continue reading

ethics & morals, short read

advice on mother-in-laws, Islam and critical race theory, Islam and marriage, Islam’s understanding of the age, obligation on Muslim husbands, the devil’s five steps to divert us from God, the spiritual evils of self-satisfaction
March 29, 2021

Why Isn’t My Life Blessed?

This episode explores the question Why isn’t my life blessed?! (Previous podcast can be found on iTunes, and also on this blog here) https://thehumblei.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Blessings-29032021-14.36.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS Continue reading

podcast

About Me

My name is Surkheel Sharif (aka Abu Aaliyah). Born and raised in London, England, I began my more formal, but gradual studies of the Islamic sciences around the late 1980s (just a few years after having quit my degree in Astrophysics). I also gained an MA in Islamic Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London, in 2009.

I’ve translated a few Islamic works from Arabic into English; one of them, a short text on Muslim spirituality, called The Exquisite Pearl (2000). I have also authored a few books, including: More Fish Please & the Earth’s Complaint (2011); Fussing Over the 15th of Sha’ban & the Golden Rule of Differing (2011); A Muslim’s Guide to Modernity (2025); and Salafism Reconsidered (forthcoming)

I am the founder and current Director of the Jawziyyah Institute (est. 1999): a non-profit organisation dedicated to cultivating an Islam true to its time-honoured tradition, relevant to its current context, and of benefit to wider society.