Faith, submission, righteous deeds, piety, benevolence, patience, gratitude, asceticism, humility, contentment, truthfulness, trustworthiness, compassion, encouraging in good deeds etcetera are the true values that we will be questioned about on the Day of Resurrection. Based on these, the decision to enter heaven and hell will be made. This worldly life has been given to us… Continue reading Preparing for the questions that will be asked on the Day of Resurrection
Eulogy on Moulana Farahi
This world is an astounding place. And perhaps the most startling occurrence is when what one fears most transpires – the unimaginable. We submitted this treatise (Imʿān fi Aqsām al-Qurʾān) for print whilst the author was still alive and well. Not a month had passed before we were shocked to hear of his tragic death… Continue reading Eulogy on Moulana Farahi
Desire is desire, not will
During this lockdown period, you are confined to your homes. Madrasahs are not yet open. You wish to continue your studies at home, engage in regular activities and make the most of your time. You set aside time to read different subjects and books but you lack consistency. Various pleasures entice you; you are overwhelmed… Continue reading Desire is desire, not will
Prayer in the mosques during the easing of the lockdown
The covid-19 pandemic has caused massive disruptions in the lives of millions of people all over the world. There is, first of all, the personal suffering of those who have had to cope with the loss of members of family and other loved ones –– the officially recorded death toll is close to half a… Continue reading Prayer in the mosques during the easing of the lockdown
Shaytan’s Tricks
1. Most people most of the time do not intend to do bad things (crimes and sins, like lying, stealing, defrauding, raping, killing, backbiting, etc.). 2. Most people most of the time intend to do good things (or ‘neutral’ things, things whose good or bad value is not known). 3. The Shaytan would be wasting… Continue reading Shaytan’s Tricks
Mixed classes for men and women
Some people from India, where I used to teach, have put to me the following question: Why now do you teach classes in which men and women students share the same space? [By ‘the same space’ is meant a space without any sort of physical partition.] Since the question addresses my own practice, I am… Continue reading Mixed classes for men and women
Two questions regarding congregational prayer
Following the imam via live broadcast Many people have asked me: As we are compelled to pray in our homes, can we follow an imam via live broadcast by radio or TV or other means of ‘live-streaming’? A congregational prayer is valid if there are two or more than two doing the prayer in the… Continue reading Two questions regarding congregational prayer
The Soundest Book
They asked: What is the greatest book? I replied: After the Book of God, the greatest book undoubtedly is the Ṣaḥīḥ of Imām Bukhārī, entitled al-Jāmiʿ al-Musnad al-Ṣaḥīḥ al-Mukhtaṣar min Umūr Rasūlillāh wa Sunanihī wa Ayyāmihī. Nothing like it has ever been authored in Islam or any other tradition. It is a sound book of… Continue reading The Soundest Book
The pandemic and Ramadan
Only a week remains to prepare, before we welcome the month of Ramadan. With the covid-19 pandemic ongoing, so is the lockdown, and it is most likely that the lockdown will continue throughout Ramadan, and perhaps even longer. People are preparing themselves for this unusual Ramadan when they are confined to their homes. Several questions… Continue reading The pandemic and Ramadan
Contagion
The coronavirus is spreading rapidly throughout the world. The most effective means to stop its spread that is being considered is for people to remain in their homes and avoid coming close to others. The contagious nature of this disease is a clear empirical and rational reality that is accepted by all experts, Muslim and… Continue reading Contagion