God says He does not love that men say what they do not do (al-Saff). This means two things. (a) Be careful of the language you use. Don’t be like those poets who say things that sound very impressive but are impossible to do, i.e. don’t speak for effect; speak simply and from the heart.… Continue reading Da`wah
The Book is Two Books
To access the original arabic, follow this link Two Basic Categories of Ḥadīth Works1 They asked: The compilations and works of the noble Prophetic ḥadīth from the first century to our day have become numerous, including the Ṣaḥīfah collections of the Companions and Followers2; the Jāmiʿ3 collections of Maʿmar4, Sufyān al-Thawrī5, Awzāʾī6, Ibn ʿUyaynah7 and Wakīʿ8; the Muwaṭṭaʾ9 collections;… Continue reading The Book is Two Books
Between Hadith and Philosophy
By this link: They said: Clarify for us the real difference between ḥadīth and philosophy. I replied: Success from your Lord has drawn close to you if you are indeed concerned with this question. It is a dangerous but worthy pursuit. Its neglect has led many into gross absurdity, leaving them in confusion and exposing… Continue reading Between Hadith and Philosophy
Non-Muslim Festivals
Muslims have responsibilities that are specific to them as Muslims and responsibilities that they share in common with all human beings. Among the latter are responsibilities related to the preservation of one’s life and health and general prosperity; the preservation of the well-being of the community and its common spaces and services, its law and… Continue reading Non-Muslim Festivals
Sirah/Sunnah: history/pattern; convention/tradition
Obedience, consent, and love There is an obligation to love and obey the Prophet. We know this because it is expressed as an imperative in the Qur’an. Obedience is compliance with a command that comes from outside oneself. Love cannot be like that; it must come from within. Between obedience and love, there is consent… Continue reading Sirah/Sunnah: history/pattern; convention/tradition
Apostasy among Muslims in the UK
The challenge facing Muslim communities Many Muslims and others repeatedly claim that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. If there is truth in this claim, it may have more to do with relatively higher birth rates among Muslim communities than with higher rates of conversion to Islam. In any case, the claim somehow… Continue reading Apostasy among Muslims in the UK
Why Study the Sirah?
The Meaning of Being Muslim Muslims, following the meaning of the word muslim, are those who have surrendered and accepted peace with God. If they have really done that, if they have really accepted the terms of their surrender, Muslims should also be striving to become believers, to become mu’min. And mu’min is used of… Continue reading Why Study the Sirah?
Secret marriages
The question of secret marriages Some brothers and sisters have asked me to comment on a practice that is increasingly reported of travelling Muslim scholars and teachers of Islam in the West, and those who travel to the West as teachers and preachers. This is the practice of contracting secret marriages in the places these… Continue reading Secret marriages
The virtue of Sabr
First, we must understand the meaning of the word, that is, look at its application in different contexts and situations. After that, we can reflect on what the virtue of it is. sabr is of two kinds, active and passive; and found in two forms, individual and collective. The fact that the Qur|~n, in commending… Continue reading The virtue of Sabr
Unity And Solidarity
It was a depressing and distressing experience for me, at a recent visit to a mosque here in the north of the UK, to hear the call to prayer and then observe that some Muslims did not respond by joining in the lines for the prayer. Rather, they formed, later on, a separate jama`a for… Continue reading Unity And Solidarity