Introduction The period extending from the battle of Badr to the battle of Uhud represents a decisive phase in the historical, theological, and moral formation of the early Muslim community. These events cannot be adequately understood as mere military encounters; rather, they constitute divinely guided moments through which fundamental Qur’anic principles were concretely enacted in… Continue reading Lessons from the Battles of Badr and Uhud
Ibn Taymiyyah’s al-Radd `ala al-mantiqiyyin
The great British philosopher, logician and mathematician, Bertrand Russell (1872 – 1970) wrote in his Autobiography (1950, p. 395): When I survey my life, it seems to me to be a useless one, devoted to impossible ideals. My activities continue from force of habit, and in the company of others I forget the despair which… Continue reading Ibn Taymiyyah’s al-Radd `ala al-mantiqiyyin
Modern science and the pursuit of power over wisdom
Modern science is widely regarded as the most successful system of knowledge production in human history. Its authority derives from its remarkable capacity to identify causal relations governing events and processes in the natural world and to subject those relations to systematic observation, measurement, and experimental control. On this basis, science has generated not only… Continue reading Modern science and the pursuit of power over wisdom
The One Who Makes the Impossible — and the One Who Makes the Impossible Possible
8 January 2026 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم The Ṣiddīqūn recognised Allah in times of ease; they beheld His manifestation in His blessings and made His favours themselves the means of drawing close to Him. In moments of comfort, their tongues were alive with gratitude; in days of openness, their eyes were lit with recognition; and… Continue reading The One Who Makes the Impossible — and the One Who Makes the Impossible Possible
Two Winters, One Man
Title: Two Winters, One Man 6 January 2026 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم I arrived in Oxford, England, from India in January 1991. At the time, I was entirely convinced that I was travelling from one country to another. It was only later that I realised I had, in fact, entered from one temperament into another.… Continue reading Two Winters, One Man
A Letter to Mohammad Ahmad Khan
Son of the respected Qur’anic teacher, Mrs Sehrish Tashfin Dear Mohammad, It gives me great pleasure to know that you are working hard in your studies, striving to practise your religion sincerely, and showing obedience and respect to your parents. These are beautiful qualities, and they are signs of a good character. May Allah grant… Continue reading A Letter to Mohammad Ahmad Khan
The beard in Islamic jurisprudence
The legal ruling concerning the beard in Islam has long been a subject of juristic discussion and recognised scholarly disagreement. This divergence arises from differing interpretations of the Prophetic instructions concerning the beard and the extent to which such instructions convey binding legal force. While it is universally acknowledged that the Prophet ﷺ maintained a… Continue reading The beard in Islamic jurisprudence
Surojni Did Not Debate, Yet She Triumphed
Oxford, 31 December 2025 *A Scholar Remembered* Nearly twenty years ago, an Indian scholar and researcher came to England. I had the opportunity to meet him and spend time in his company. He was exceptionally intelligent, serious, and hardworking. In Indian scholarly circles, he was widely known by the title “Ghamarr”. I no longer recall… Continue reading Surojni Did Not Debate, Yet She Triumphed
Where does the Gomti river’s water come from?
If the distance between Mani Kalan and Jamdahan were measured, it would not seem very great. But in the early days of our consciousness, this distance felt like it stretched for miles. It was a time when the roads were unpaved, questions were immature, and knowledge was an unfamiliar thing. In winter, dew was abundant… Continue reading Where does the Gomti river’s water come from?
Ibrāhīm عليه السلام and the Philosophical Foundations of the Five Daily Ṣalāh
[This talk, edited and abridged by Sulayman Qadhi, was delivered by *Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi* at his residence in Batley, West Yorkshire, after Fajr Ṣalāh on Sunday, 21 December 2025. A number of friends and acquaintances were present, including Habibullah Akudi, Zubair Chothia, and Hāfeẓ Muhammad Gardee. Owing to the importance and significance of… Continue reading Ibrāhīm عليه السلام and the Philosophical Foundations of the Five Daily Ṣalāh