In the intellectual and cultural history of South Asia, few names stand out with the brilliance and lasting influence of Shibli Nu’mani (d. 1914). A towering figure among Islamic scholars and historians, Nu’mani’s life and work represents a bridge between the classical traditions of Islamic scholarship and the urgent reformist currents of colonial India. His… Continue reading Shibli Nu’mani: A Legacy of Scholarship and Reform
Adab for the Sake of Adab: Artistic Merit as the True Standard of Literature
When a government constructs a road, its quality is determined by its technical design, engineering principles, and construction standards. It is not evaluated based on whether people use it to go to a mosque or a temple, a casino or a bar. Similarly, bridges, trains, buses, and other amenities are judged by their own specific… Continue reading Adab for the Sake of Adab: Artistic Merit as the True Standard of Literature
In the Time of Tribulation and Betrayal: A Cry of the Soul and a Plea of the Heart
In a time when blaring headlines have drowned out silent truths, and in a world where images blur and voices intertwine until they are indistinguishable, there remain some scenes more eloquent than any statement: children being exterminated in Gaza, others sleeping atop the rubble of their homes, mothers being killed or bidding farewell to their… Continue reading In the Time of Tribulation and Betrayal: A Cry of the Soul and a Plea of the Heart
Adultery
In Islam, sexual conduct is not merely a matter of private morality, but it is tied to theological principles, ethical commitments, and social responsibilities. At the centre of this ethical framework stands the institution of marriage, a divine covenant designed to protect individual dignity, familial integrity, and social cohesion. In this context, zina (unlawful sexual… Continue reading Adultery
Introduction
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings and peace be upon the Leader of the Messengers, Muhammad ﷺ, and upon his family and companions. Allah Almighty has created human life as a beautiful tapestry of various relationships and bonds, of which the most sacred, great, and irreplaceable is the… Continue reading Introduction
Language is a Mental Convention
A hungry man was once asked, “What is two plus two?” He replied, “Four loaves of bread.” He added a word to his answer that neither appeared in the original question nor was intended by the questioner. In contrast, if you were in a restaurant and someone asked, “How many breads would you like?” and… Continue reading Language is a Mental Convention
Fulfil Your Covenant, If You Are True to It
You said: “The sacred land belongs only to those who water it with pure blood—those who do not know submission, who do not fear death.” So we submitted to you. Your words struck our hearts like revelation—they stirred our limbs and ignited in our souls a flame that will never die. And you said, as… Continue reading Fulfil Your Covenant, If You Are True to It
Tīmūr Lang – The Final Verdict
This was my third journey to Uzbekistan. The details of the first two trips have been recorded in my Arabic book Riḥlat Ūzbakistān. This third visit took place in May–June 2025, accompanied by nearly one hundred students of Al-Salam Institute. Praise be to Allah, I maintained the habit of writing a daily journal throughout the… Continue reading Tīmūr Lang – The Final Verdict
The Son Was Named a Lion, but Called a Wolf
One of the neighbourhoods of Samarqand is famously known as Registan. In ancient times, it housed three major universities, where disciplines such as philosophy, logic, mathematics, astronomy, geometry, and jurisprudence were taught at such a high level that there was nothing comparable in the known world. Students from many Eastern lands would travel there to… Continue reading The Son Was Named a Lion, but Called a Wolf
Honour Your Lord
A declaration of the truth that lies at the heart of all creation, that flows in every vein and sinew; a proclamation of the reality that is manifest in what is hidden, and hidden in what is manifest. The heavens and the earth bear witness to it. The stones, plants, and animals chant it in… Continue reading Honour Your Lord