By Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwī There is no reliable information about Dajjal that is sufficient responsibly to change your behavior or your policies. What, then, is the point of the Prophet’s giving any information, however limited, about Dajjal? The answer must begin by reflecting on what need people have to know something about such matters. Essentially human life should be oriented to the judgement of God hereafter. The whole value of human life is not ascertainable from within that life: the reason is that the conditions antecedent to that life are not within the grasp of the creature (ghayb), and…
View More DajjalCategory: History
The Virtue of Sūrah al-Kahf
By Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwī and translated by Dr Shameq Sayeed To access the original arabic, follow this link They said: What is the degree of authenticity of the Prophetic narrations found regarding the virtues of chapters (sūrahs) of the Noble Qur’ān? I said: The authenticated (ṣahīh) of them are very few, and of the most well known established ṣahīh is what reliable narrators have transmitted about the virtues of sūrah al-fātiḥah, al-baqarah, al-‘Imrān, al-ikhlāṣ and al-mu‘awwidhatān (sūrah al-falaq and al-nās). Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said in Minhāj al-Sunnah (4/434): “And similarly also in the books of exegesis (tafsīr) are transmitted matters from the Prophet ﷺ the people of…
View More The Virtue of Sūrah al-KahfImam Abu Hanifah
By Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwī Insofar as this talk about Abu Hanifah aims to introduce or present the book, it should pick out its major concerns – to show how and why the fiqh associated with Abu Hanifah has been relied upon and trusted by Muslims. This is done by discussing examples that illustrate how Hanafi fiqh was constructed, how it reasoned/worked with the primary sources; and by describing the man and his quality of life as a devout Muslim. One way to start would be to quote the interesting compliment paid to Abu Hanifah by his peers among near…
View More Imam Abu HanifahWho Taught You History?
By Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwī and translated by Dr. Abu Zayd To access the original arabic, follow this link The Importance of Studying History They asked: Why do you always encourage us to study history? I replied: Knowledge of history is a serious and hefty matter, and one of extreme importance. It represents the review of strategic elements and developmental factors in human societies, and the study of civilizational, political, economic and cultural conditions across time and space. No scholar or student of knowledge can afford to be oblivious to it. We learn from history, for example, the context in…
View More Who Taught You History?The Descent of Jesus, the Son of Mary, peace be upon them both
By Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwī and translated by Abu-Huraira Rahman and edited by Tariq Pandor To access the original arabic, follow this link They said: Will Jesus the son of Mary, peace be upon them both, descend as a just ruler before the Day of Judgement? I said: why do you ask this question? Do you not know that I dislike these theological dogmatic questions that neither benefit religion nor worldly life, have no bearing in matters of faith, Islam and worship of the Lord of the worlds and nor is anything sought from them except pointless discussion and futile…
View More The Descent of Jesus, the Son of Mary, peace be upon them bothSirah/Sunnah: history/pattern; convention/tradition
By Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwī There is an obligation to love and obey the Prophet. We know this because it is expressed as an imperative in the Qur’an. Obedience is compliance with a command that comes from outside oneself. Love cannot be like that; it must come from within. Between obedience and love, there is consent — being ready and willing to obey, being prompt, graceful, when doing what we are commanded or obliged to do. Obedience with full consent is natural, spontaneous, from the heart. Obedience from the heart is a big part (though it is not all) of…
View More Sirah/Sunnah: history/pattern; convention/tradition