Arguing on The Internet: the Ultimate Heart Monitor

Islam and the Internet Series: Intro | Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII | Part VIII | Part IV Our Culture Of Arrogance, Anger And Online Arguments Dawud Wharnsby once wrote in one of his songs: We use so many words but have [...]

Guidelines to Studying Islam Online

Islam and the Internet Series: Intro | Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII | Part VIII | Part IV Within the last decade, Muslims have experienced a massive shift in the way they study Islam. In this advanced technological age, Islamic knowledge is available for [...]

The Role of Taṣawwuf in Complementing the Study of Fiqh

Translated and adapted by Jamaal Diwan from Saʿīd Ḥawwā’s Tarbiyatunā al-Rūḥiyya.. Books of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) usually begin with the chapter of purification (al-ṭahāra), but rarely do they dwell upon its inner aspects and spiritual dimensions. They then move on to prayer, its prerequisites, its pillars, its required actions, its recommended actions, its manners, its [...]

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 [...]

The 30 Principles of Moderate & Balanced Thought (Part III)

By Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi | Translated by Yasir Fikry Fahmy Part I | Part II | ­Part III­ 21. To become financially and economically strong and self-sufficient through the principles of Islam, while working on developing models of Islamic finance that will rival prevailing models. 22. Belief in the absolute unity of the Muslim Ummah (community),  as [...]

Islamic Law: Between ‘Selecting’ and ‘Negating’ a Position

Knowledge is becoming widespread. More and more Islamic books are being translated into English. The number of avenues in which a Muslim may learn the Arabic language is growing, thus access to the abundance of resources that exist in the source language is becoming much easier. Yet if this growth in knowledge is not gradual [...]

Why Was Surat al-Fatiha Sent Twice?

Lecture by Suhaib Webb | Transcribed by Fuseina Mohamad Surat Al-Fatiha 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 | Part XVI | Part XVII | Part XVIII | Part XIX | Part XX | Part XXI | [...]

A Tribute to Shaykh Ahmed al-`Assāl, by Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradāwī

by Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradāwī | Translated and Abridged by Huda Shaka` At last, the end has come and a voice that always spoke the truth, invited to good, and articulated Islamic positions – both in creed and practice – has gone silent. Today, I write of `Assāl, who though not destined to bear his own children, [...]

Towards a Relevant and Empowering Understanding of Islam

On June 28, 2010 readers were encouraged to comment on how to apply the advice of the following translated piece from the writings of Jamaal al-Din al-Afghani: “He, The Most High, showed us through His clear verses that nations He has honored do not perish or fall from greatness. Their names are also not erased [...]

Words of Wisdom from Jamāl al-Dīn al-Afghānī

When we listen to news stories that cause us distress, we are faced with the same question that those before us were faced with: what can we do? Definitely, getting involved and participating in relevant mediums of activism is part of the answer. Another part was once addressed by Jamāl al-Dīn al-Afghānī in his article [...]

Constructive Criticism

It’s not a wonder that the term ‘criticism’ is often qualified with the adjective ‘constructive’. Constructive means to build and is the opposite of ‘destructive’. Hence ‘destructive criticism’ is criticism aimed simply at tearing down what others are doing or have done. One can easily fall into what seems to be ‘destructive criticism’ when care [...]

The Role of Muslim Students

A Lesson in Fiqh: Wiping Over Socks

A common misconception among many people is that they believe the texts of the Qur’an and Hadith are intended for all of mankind and are so clear that anyone fairly literate should be able to read them and understand what they mean. The first part of this idea is correct – the Qur’an and the [...]

Declaring Apostasy (Takfir) on Muslims – Part IV

by Ustadh Luqman al-Andalusi Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV Being Lenient towards the Believers [66] In the Hadith Qudsi (sacred tradition) Ali ibn Abu Talib said that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah the Exalted says: La ilaha illa Allah is My fortress, whoever enters My fortress is safe from [...]

Declaring Apostasy (Takfir) on Muslims – Part III

by Ustadh Luqman al-Andalusi Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV Seeking after others’ faults [38] “Surely your Lord knows best who strays from His path, and knows best who follows the guidance” (Qur’an, 53:30). [39]`Abdullah bin Masud (ra) reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “He who has, in his heart, an ant’s weight of [...]

Muhammad ‘Abdu’s Advice for Educational Reform in the Ottoman Empire

This is an excerpt from a letter written by Imam Muhammad ‘Abdu to the leaders of the Ottoman Empire when he learned of their plans to enact educational reforms. His letter begins with the importance of education, particularly for the development of a strong Islamic nation. He then recommends approaching religious education at three levels, [...]

The Shahadah

Declaring Apostasy (Takfir) on Muslims – Part II

by Ustadh Luqman al-Andalusi Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV Kafir (Arabic: كافر kāfir; plural كفّار kuffār) is a term used in Islamic doctrine, usually translated as “unbeliever” or “disbeliever” or sometimes “infidel.” The term refers to a person who rejects God or who hides, denies, or “covers” the truth. An example of a famous [...]

Declaring Apostasy (Takfir) on Muslims

by Ustadh Luqman al-Andalusi Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV Kafir (Arabic: كافر kāfir; plural كفّار kuffār) is a term used in an Islamic doctrinal sense, usually translated as “unbeliever” or “disbeliever” or sometimes “infidel.” The term refers to a person who rejects God or who hides, denies, or “covers” the truth. The Protection of [...]

Pearls from Scholars

Shaykh Sa`id Ramadan al-Bouti is a well-respected modern-day scholar and author who is most popularly known for his esteemed work Fiqh us-Seerah. In my time in Damascus, I saw hundreds of people from every walk of life – mothers and shopkeepers, students and cab drivers, young and old – flock to his weekly classes at [...]