Long beard, shalwar kameez (shalwar above ankles), black abaya, an ‘astaghfar!’ here, a ‘tauba tauba!’ there. What comes to your mind? EXTREMIST TALIBANI people, who disrespect women, keep them locked up like cattle, explode at opportune moments and are so conservative that they’ll soon categorize the iPhone as haram! Right? Well I’m not going into that debate today. Instead, let me throw some more words at you and see what
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of Islam is the fact that the source book of this religion, the Holy Qur’an, has existed unaltered in its entirety for over 1400 years. Many people find this fact hard to believe and several have tried to prove the contrary. However, a close examination of the history of the Qur’an and the process through which it has been preserved clearly shows that the
Throughout the history of the world, all countries and nations operated under certain laws promulgated by their founders/rulers. From the codes of Hammurabi to the constitutions of today, treaties have evolved significantly over centuries. Many historians consider the English Magna Carta to be the first written constitution; however, according to the research of Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah, one of the most eminent Muslim researchers and scholars of the 20th century, the
Everyone is familiar with pancakes but most people aren’t aware of fritters which are very similar, but deep fried and filled with either vegetables or fruits. This versatile dish is super easy to make and is the ideal accompaniment to your next iftar this Ramadan. Fritters are present in European, American and Asian cuisine. They can be savoury using corn or potatoes and can also be sweet by using a
“He came at a time when people stood in dire need of replies against the philosophers than the darkest night stands in need of the light of the moon and stars.” The tenth century was a time of great strife between reason and revelation in the Muslim world. This was the time when one of the most celebrated scholars, philosophers and jurists of Islamic history, Abû Hâmid Muhammad ibn Muhammad
He spent fifty years alone in a small, fourth floor apartment in Paris, living an austere life. His sustenance comprised of rice, fruit, milk and yogurt. But he was not a destitute Parisian; he was the most luminous star from the 20th century Muslim scholars. Apartment 4 Rue de Tournon, Paris VI, was the home of Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah. There is no shortage of superlatives to describe this extraordinary man,
“According to a tradition reported by Abdullah Ibn Amr (RAA) and transmitted by Darimi (RA), once Allah´s Messenger (SAW) happened to pass by two groups (of Muslims) in the mosque and he said: Both of them are good, but one is superior to the other. One group is supplicating Allah and praying Him. If He so wills He will confer upon them and if He so wills He will withhold.
“The one who is (truly) imprisoned is the one whose heart is imprisoned from Allah, and the captivated one is the one whose desires have enslaved him.” The world of Islam was besieged by numerous enemies and threats including the despotic rule of Tartars in various Muslim territories and their continuing invasions, the aggression of the crusaders, and Christian evangelical movement aimed at weakening the Muslims’ belief through theological and
Muhammad Asad (1900 – 1992), formally known as Leopold Weiss came from a long line of Jewish Rabbis. His work as a part-time freelancer for the newspaper Frankfurter Zeitung in Jerusalem brought him closer and closer to the Muslim world. Though Jewish at the time, his writings were well appreciated for his understanding of Arab hesitancies and Zionist movement. Seven years before accepting Islam, Muhammad Asad had a dream that
Why do we need to follow a specific madhab or school of jurisprudence (fiqh) when we have direct access to Qur’an and Hadith, which are the sources of this knowledge? This question that echoes in the minds of many Muslims is of great importance as it directly relates to our lives in this world as well as in the hereafter. It is possible for all Muslims to learn about the