All praise is due to Allah, who elevated the rank of knowledge and its bearers, made them the heirs of the prophets, and granted them a tremendous virtue and lofty station, as He said: “Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees.” He made them lamps… Continue reading Commendation
Under the Shadow of the Hūmā
I have written a number of articles about Mawlāna Shahbāz, may Allah have mercy on him, and intend to write more. The present article, titled as above, is part of that series. While my other writings detail what I learned in his company, here my purpose is to narrate the nature of my relationship with… Continue reading Under the Shadow of the Hūmā
Choice of Words: Taste, Subtlety and Responsibility
A word… a small, simple, yet extraordinarily powerful entity… is not merely a vocal symbol, but rather a crystallised thought, a reflection of feeling, and a glimpse of human civilisation. It is a mirror in which a person’s inner self—his intention, upbringing, character, and intellectual depth—becomes fully visible. When the speaker possesses a heart, what… Continue reading Choice of Words: Taste, Subtlety and Responsibility
The Harm of Non-Arabs Dominating the Islamic and Arabic Sciences
The prominence of certain non-Arabs—despite their brilliant intellects, evident talents, and creative contributions in the fields of knowledge and thought—in the disciplines of Islam and the Arabic language has had serious consequences on the trajectory and development of these sciences. These effects are manifest in deep intellectual and methodological shifts. However sincere and diligent these… Continue reading The Harm of Non-Arabs Dominating the Islamic and Arabic Sciences
Shibli Nu’mani: A Legacy of Scholarship and Reform
In the intellectual and cultural history of South Asia, few names stand out with the brilliance and lasting influence of Shibli Nu’mani (d. 1914). A towering figure among Islamic scholars and historians, Nu’mani’s life and work represents a bridge between the classical traditions of Islamic scholarship and the urgent reformist currents of colonial India. His… Continue reading Shibli Nu’mani: A Legacy of Scholarship and Reform
Adab for the Sake of Adab
When a government constructs a road, its quality is determined by its technical design, engineering principles, and construction standards. It is not evaluated according to whether people use it to travel to a mosque or a temple, a casino or a bar. Similarly, bridges, trains, buses, and other public amenities are judged by their own… Continue reading Adab for the Sake of Adab
In the Time of Tribulation and Betrayal: A Cry of the Soul and a Plea of the Heart
In a time when blaring headlines have drowned out silent truths, and in a world where images blur and voices intertwine until they are indistinguishable, there remain some scenes more eloquent than any statement: children being exterminated in Gaza, others sleeping atop the rubble of their homes, mothers being killed or bidding farewell to their… Continue reading In the Time of Tribulation and Betrayal: A Cry of the Soul and a Plea of the Heart
Adultery
In Islam, sexual conduct is not merely a matter of private morality, but it is tied to theological principles, ethical commitments, and social responsibilities. At the centre of this ethical framework stands the institution of marriage, a divine covenant designed to protect individual dignity, familial integrity, and social cohesion. In this context, zina (unlawful sexual… Continue reading Adultery
Introduction
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings and peace be upon the Leader of the Messengers, Muhammad ﷺ, and upon his family and companions. Allah Almighty has created human life as a beautiful tapestry of various relationships and bonds, of which the most sacred, great, and irreplaceable is the… Continue reading Introduction
Language is a Mental Convention
A hungry man was once asked, “What is two plus two?” He replied, “Four loaves of bread.” He added a word to his answer that neither appeared in the original question nor was intended by the questioner. In contrast, if you were in a restaurant and someone asked, “How many breads would you like?” and… Continue reading Language is a Mental Convention