(Interpreting faith in the world today, discussing gender, identity, culture, politics, and contemporary issues in the world today.) By Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi A global cultural challenge I do not think it makes much difference on these issues whether Muslims are living as minorities or as majorities. The culture that we confront, and seek to… Continue reading Between Extremes
Action must follow faith
Let me begin by qualifying the claim that actions must follow faith, that actions are rewarded rather than faith. First, it is obvious that all people in some situations, and some people in all situations do not have the power or the freedom to act on what they believe. By way of extension we can… Continue reading Action must follow faith
Assisted dying from an Islamic perspective
Any action which results in the death of a human being is a crime except in specific situations, such as executing a lawful decree of capital punishment or killing an active combatant in a lawful war. So called assisted dying is strictly speaking the taking of a life without legal justification. In situations of extreme… Continue reading Assisted dying from an Islamic perspective
Priorities for Muslims as Minorities in the West
Muslims have been deprived of political power for so long that they have become adapted to the views about Islam and Muslims of those who have and continue to hold power over them. For example, it is common to hear Muslims blaming the governments of Muslim countries for betraying the interests of Muslims in their… Continue reading Priorities for Muslims as Minorities in the West
Understanding ‘and strike them’
Men have charge over women by that [with which] God has favoured some among them over others, and by that which they spend from their wealth [on their womenfolk]. Now, the righteous [among] women are [those who are] humbly devout and protective of the unseen [al-ghayb] that God has protected [as unseen, private]. And those… Continue reading Understanding ‘and strike them’
Limits and Scope
Without limits there can be no real possibility, only theoratical and abstract possibility. All that God has given or created is real, that is to say, it has stable, secure limits, which are scope that living and long living things have to interact and produce what they produce. When the limits are refused – instead… Continue reading Limits and Scope
Do not search for a magical night
Translated by Hala Akram and Aisha Akram. I moved to Oxford in January 1991 and stayed near a Bangladeshi mosque for a few days. I used to pray with the Bangladeshi community, and sometimes would take part in their gatherings. After a month and a half, the fifteenth of Sha’ban arrived and the mosque was… Continue reading Do not search for a magical night
Inheritance: a general overview of the laws
Concepts and arguments related to inheritance are in many respects so finely detailed and entangled that it is difficult to keep in mind the general principles and goals of inheritance laws and customs in Islam. These principles and goals are, as we should expect, consistent with the laws and practices related to other domains of… Continue reading Inheritance: a general overview of the laws
Taysir
Taysir means taking the easier path to manage a difficulty. As a term in Islamic scholarship, it means giving advice or a ruling in favour of the easier option, provided the matter is one in which preference between options is allowable. Taysir is very much in harmony with the letter and spirit of the guidance… Continue reading Taysir
The successful life
The successful life as measured in this world does not secure safe passage into the favor of God in the hereafter. The good or virtuous life as measured in this world does not secure safe passage into the favor of God in the hereafter. In both matters, safe passage in the hereafter can only be… Continue reading The successful life