Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi wrote:

“The method that I’ve employed over the course of my entire life is: That I seek to build and I don’t destroy, I unify and I don’t divide; I leave [other scholars] to make their own choices, and I will not force my opinions and legal conclusions on them, nor will I let them force me to follow their opinions and legal verdicts. If Allah [The exalted] ordered His noble Messenger [may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him] to say to those of other faiths, “To you is your religion, and to me is my religion” then how could I not say to my own Muslim brothers: “To you is your opinion and to me is mine, and to you are your actions and to me are mine?”

Taken from Modern Day Legal Rulings (3/688)

www.suhaibwebb.com

Asalamu alaykum,

Over the next few hours we are going to witness a craze for the latest installment of the “Grand Theft Auto” series. Undoubtedly, there will lines of salivating people making Qiyam al-Layil to get their latest copy. I’m ashamed to admit that my exposure to this game was limited until I began to travel the Muslim world. It is not uncommon, at least in my neighborhood, to see 7 year old boys making ‘Itikaf in front of a computer at one of the local net cafes in my city until late in the night playing this game. It was here, in the Muslim world that I was exposed to this game and all that comes with it.

Instead of giving a sermon, saying that its haram or whatever, I would like to remind my brothers and sisters that the Prophet [may Allah's peace and blessing be upon him] stated that we will all be asked about our lives and how we spent them. Isn’t that enough? You! Young brother as you are about to pop in that game and get the latest codes, think about the statement of Allah, “Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the hearts will be questioned.” Man, imagine that! What are we going to say in front of Allah?

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Click the picture below

Are You a Dot or Dot-Dot-Dot?

Recently I had finished a task which was supposed to be completed sometime ago. I thank my Lord for that. The feeling of relief that came after performing the much awaited assignment was absolutely incredible. It was like a heavy burden suddenly being taken off my shoulder. And at the same time, my mind was immediately freed from having to constantly thinking about it.

At last!

Being born in a free country and had never known what suppression meant, for the first time I could actually taste for a bit what freedom and liberation felt!

Ok, it’s an exaggeration at some level, but I really do feel good about it. Really good.

That very feeling of relief had me thinking. Why didn’t I finish off the work earlier? What was stopping me from putting that much awaited full stop to that task? Why did I choose to have the dot-dot-dot for a long time instead of getting that one absolute, definite and last dot; and put an end to all the potential dots?

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The Question:

“Is it allowed for us to delay having children?”

The Answer Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi:

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Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi mentions that al-Ijtihad, in the contemporary context, consists of two kinds:

1. Ijtihad Intiqali [Ijtihad based on what our traditional legal giants have bequeathed to us]

2. Ijtihad Inshai [Ijtihad based on issues the likes of which were never seen by the previous scholars]

Dr. al-Qaradawi emphasized the importance of respecting “the greatness of our great tradition” and “the dire need for the law to address contemporary issue not addressed by the tradition” as long as the following are carefully observed:

1. Those who engage in such issues are qualified

2. That one engages ijtihad in its proper context [for example one makes ijtihad in an area where ijtihad is permissible and not the opposite]

3. Consideration must be given to the objectives of Shari’ah

4. Consideration must be given to the potential benefits reaped by others regarding such religious verdicts and opinions

Source: Shari’ah and Life al-Jazeera

www.suhaibwebb.com

Asalamu alaykum,

I was recently asked this question and hope this answer helps?

The Question: “Does the Qur’an call Jews pigs and apes? And it is allowed for Muslims to do so?”

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The Muslim’s need for the revivalist though  of Jamal al-Din Afghani [part one]

Dr. ‘Ali al-Qarahdaghi*

“All praise it due [alone] to Allah the Lord of everything that exists. Peace and blessings be upon the one sent as a mercy to all: Muhammad the truthful guide, upon his brothers [in faith] all of the Prophets, his pure family, his noble companions and those who follow their guidance until the Last Day.

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