Archive for the ‘Islamic Law’ category
The Electoral Shura Under the Four Rightly-Guided Caliphs
The study of history is of no use unless it yields benefit for the future. To dwell on the pristine character of the four rightly-guided caliphs is to find magnificent role models of God-consciousness, devotion, sacrifice, integrity, and leadership. Yet, from the political standpoint, the imperfect realities of human nature continue to drive home a most obvious and self-confirming reality; the synergy of the system. No conglomeration of people, even with great leaders, can succeed in this world or the next without a system of law and governance. The best system is one that extracts only positive human qualities and enhances them, while the worst of systems is one that gives free reign to evil human tendencies.
Perennial Philosophy: Interpretation or Accusing of Lying, Ta’wil or Takdhib
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV It is obvious to all, including perennialists, that perennial philosophy is completely at odds with orthodox Islam. Those perennialists who claim to be Muslims do so whilst claiming to believe that the esoteric, metaphysical realisation of the faith confirms the ‘transcending’ of the ‘dogmatism’ [...]
Opposition to Islam’s Finality with Recourse to the Qur’an
Finality of Islam: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV The contemporary world, in which religious studies and Scriptural analyses are not known to respect historical orthodoxies, has witnessed a variety of writers oppose the finality of Islam, whilst claiming to be representatives of Islam. These claims usually fall on deaf ears because most [...]
The Finality of Islam – With Reference to Perennial Philosophy
Finaility of Islam: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, in From the Depth of the Heart in America, noted that “Islam is more sensitive than any other faith . . . Its limits are marked out very clearly.” This sentiment has remained true until our day, even in western universities that teach Islam. [...]
Calling Someone a “Martyr”
Adapted from an article by Dr. Ahmad al-Raysūnī on the topic from his website. Often times we refer to so-and-so as a “shahīd” or martyr when referring to Muslims who have died while standing up for truth and justice. We might say al-Shahīd (the martyr) Malcolm X or al-Shahīd Hasan al-Banna. When some people hear [...]
A Review of ‘Abu Hanifah: His Life, Legal Method & Legacy’
Abu Hanifah: His Life, Legal Method & Legacy By Shaykh Akram Nadwi (UK: Kube and Interface, 2010) The 2001 Census indicated that 68% of British Muslims were of South Asian origin; and many of those identified as “white” Muslims were of Turkish, Bosnian, Kosovan and Albanian origin. The fact that the Muslim lands of South Asia [...]
Question About Dogs
QUESTION: Assalamu `alaykum. `Amu, I was playing with some friends and they started throwing rocks at a black dog. When I told them to stop, they said that Islam encourages us to kill them. Is that true? My mom told me to ask you. ANSWER: No, we are not! A great scholar named al-Hattab wrote, [...]
What is Shariah Law?
In light of recent political debates about Shari`ah in America, Osman Umarji explained what Shari`ah law is during a friday sermon at the Islamic Center of Irvine on March 25, 2011.
Towards Understanding Ijtihad and Taqleed: A Brief Introduction
The Ijtihad Series: Part 1 “In the Arabic dictionary, the root (ج ح د: j-h-d ) is defined as “the exertion of effort on a matter that requires it.” In all of its different applications, the term denotes the expenditure of mental and intellectual effort. A mujtahid, therefore, is a scholar who researches and studies [...]
The Top Six Mistakes in Usul (Part 6)
Made by Students, Regular Muslim Folks & Many in Between: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI Mistake #1: “There is only one right answer for every issue.” Differences of opinion among scholars are a natural and inevitable part of Islamic jurisprudence. We discussed a number of reasons for [...]
Question on Slaughtering
The Question: During the last `Eid, I went to slaughter. However, and this may sound strange, I forgot to say bismilLah (in the name of Allah) over the animal. Some of my friends told me that there was no problem with this and that the meat was halal. Were they correct? The Answer: Insha’Allah your slaughter [...]
The Top Six Mistakes in Usul (Part 5)
Made by Students, Regular Muslim Folks & Many in Between: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI Mistake #2: “The rules of Shari`ah should be constant and unchanging.” On the opposite end of the spectrum of what was discussed in Part IV of this series are those who [...]
The Top Six Mistakes in Usul (Part 4)
Made by Students, Regular Muslim Folks & Many in Between: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI Mistake #3: “All rulings change according to circumstances and context.” Another mistake people make when considering the rules of Shari’ah (Islamic law) is assuming that they are always subject [...]
The Top Six Mistakes in Usul (Part 3)
Made by Students, Regular Muslim Folks & Many in Between: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI Mistake #4: “A daleel means a verse from the Qur’an or a hadith.” And, “If someone has daleel from the Qur’an and Sunnah for an issue, then there’s no [...]
“We follow only the Qur’an and Sunnah”
Sitting in the mosque board meeting, as one issue after another was raised, I’ll confess it was difficult not to drift into my own thoughts. However, one issue was raised that caught my attention that was, perhaps not surprisingly, the issue of finance and fundraising: the mosque needed funds for refurbishing the ablution (wuḍu) area. [...]
The Top Six Mistakes in Usul (Part 2)
Made by Students, Regular Muslim Folks & Many in Between: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI Mistake #5: “Lack of knowledge is always a valid excuse.” Just as Allah the Exalted is generous, tolerant, and compassionate, we find His Law marked by the qualities of [...]
Taqlīd, and Following a Madhhab
By Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi1 | Translated, with slight modifications, by Muslema Purmul Between Absolutism and Negligence Linguistic definition: Arabic linguists say that taqlīd is derived from the root word qalāda, which is a necklace that is fastened around the neck. From it comes the taqlīd of a road; it is as though the follower fastens the [...]
The Top Six Mistakes in Usul
Made by Students, Regular Muslim Folks & Many in Between: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI Out of all the Islamic subjects I’ve had the opportunity to explore in my time studying abroad, one of my favorites has been Usul al-Fiqh – the study of the methodology [...]
Freedom of Religion, Minority Rights, and the American Constitution
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Podcast: Download (Duration: 17:37 — 42.3 MB) On Friday, November 5, 2010, the University of Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender and Class held a full day symposium at the UM School of Law in Baltimore titled “Confronting Islam: Shari’ah, the Constitution and American Muslims.” The event attracted about [...]
Preserving Divine Law
Becoming the Servants of the Most Merciful Series Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII | Part VIII | Part IX | Part X | Part XI | Part XII | Part XIII | Part XIV | Part XV There is a heavy vibe in the media these days that “Shari`ah law” is the modern [...]
Contribute to Your Virtual Mosque
Follow us on:
One Legacy Radio
Recent Comments