Women’s Right to Fair Treatment Women’s Day is a reminder that we still have not secured freedom from oppression for women. Isn’t it time that we deliver women the rights that Islam gave them 1400 years ago? O mankind we have created you from a male and female and we have made you into tribes…
Ijtihad (reasoning) and Taqleed (imitation) Do I need to follow a madhab? Who is qualified to make Ijihad? What essential knowledge does a mujtahid need? Definition While Ijtihad is the process of systematic legal reasoning carried out only by mujtahids (those trained in ijtihad), taqleed is to follow a certain school, or scholar or opinion. The…
The Differences among the Fuqaha In particular we are focusing on the scientific differences among the fuqaha (jurists) and why we have more than one opinion. The main difference is linguistic difference. The second one is evidences and the third is in understanding. When we look at linguistic differences, it becomes clear quite quickly that…
The Origins of the Fiqh Schools Fiqh at the Time of the Prophet (peace be on him) During the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be on him) how was fiqh decided? If someone needed a ruling on a case what did the Prophet (peace be on him) himself do? The first thing the Prophet (peace be on…
Why Scholars Differ This was the first course I delivered in the UK in 2001, but it is as relevant today as it was then, if not more. I used to deliver this course over three months at shariah college, so here I am going to condense it and give you an overview. Why do…
What Causes Du’as to be Rejected? Check Yourself When people are afflicted naturally they turn to Allah Almighty for relief. Some times that relief is not granted. I am frequently asked: How do I know if I am being tested or punished? The answer to this question lies with you. You need to analyse why an affliction…
To Obey or Not to Obey? Oh you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those of you who in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for…
Identifying the Right Teacher Different Types of Teacher There are many different types of scholars in our midst today. Some scholars are strict and literal in their understanding, some liberal and reforming, some practical and balanced, some politically minded, some spiritually orientated, some self taught (desktop scholar), some well-known and others not so well-known. The…
Denying the Sunnah is Denying the Qur’an And whatever the Messenger has given you take it, and whatever he has forbidden for you refrain from it. Fear Allah. Indeed Allah is severe in His punishment . (59:7) We have revealed the message to you in order to clarify for them what has been revealed. That…
Not Trying to Attain the Impossible If you feel frustrated in pursuing knowledge, it is worth thinking again, as knowledge is not something we can acquire overnight. It is a consistent approach that brings the seeds of knowledge to bloom. Slow and Steady One must apply gentleness and proceed in a slow and calm manner…
Apathy is Not a Choice for the Muslim Ummah So often we believe it is enough to take care of our individual responsibilities and that what is happening at a social or political level is not our concern. However the dangers of this attitude are revealed in the hadith of the boat: The example of…
Be Shy of Allah Almighty O People, be shy before Allah Almighty as He merits The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘Be truly shy from Allah.’ The companions said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, praise and thanks be to Allah, we are shy from Him.’ Upon which he replied, ‘It is not that I…
Knowing Sins. The Big and The Small Allah wants to accept your repentance, but those who follow [their] passions want you to digress [into] a great deviation. (4:27) Just as you can’t challenge a parking permit if there was no sign there saying you can’t park there, Allah Almighty has given us the sign posts…
Why There is No Limit to Recklessness, Hubris and Greed In a world riddled with oppression and injustice, one wonders why do we sin? Is it forgetfulness or rebelliousness? Or is it just that it is so easy to sin and there’s nothing to stop us? And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded,…
Why So Sad? O you who believe, do not be down-beat or in a state of despair. Allah fashioned you with His own Two Hands. He made you, but He is not in need of you, rather, it is you who is inherently, inseparably and intricately in need of Him. He created you because He is…