The longer surahs at the beginning of the received text of the Qur’an have a complex arrangement of passages because they are simultaneously addressing three major concerns of the Qur’an, and the focus of attention alternates between these concerns. Awareness of God and the Last Day The first is to make people aware of God… Continue reading Surah Al-`Imran
The Right Pathway to Studying Ḥadīth
By this link: Why is it that you vociferously denounce the manner of teaching the noble Prophetic ḥadīth in most of the religious seminaries today? I replied: Yes, as a matter of fact, I do criticize this approach quite heavily for its mistakes in turning away from the expected aim They asked: And what is… Continue reading The Right Pathway to Studying Ḥadīth
Islamic Law and Water
Water is the basis of life on earth in all its forms. It is a resource as essential as light and air. The spoiling of this resource, or the restriction or abuse of access to it, at the least harms life and, in the extreme, threatens its continuance. It would be astonishing indeed if Islamic… Continue reading Islamic Law and Water
Islamic Finance
Islamic finance over the last three decades or so has grown into a huge industry. It is huge both in the sense that vast sums of money are handled by Islamic finance, and also in the sense that a great many scholars have been attracted to it, and they have helped to invent or justify… Continue reading Islamic Finance
The Meaning of Ijāzah
By this link: We see you greatly welcoming the quest for Ijāzah from various teachers, both verbally and in writing, and we see you placing them in a position of tremendous esteem and respect, even coveting them without end. Our question is: what is the value of these Ijāzahs that you have acquired and are… Continue reading The Meaning of Ijāzah
Women Scholars in Islam: Some reflections
Reflections from a Ramadan retreat This Ramadan I had the good fortune to be able to do the retreat in the last 10 days of the month. Throughout those days I recited the Quran and reflected on it and many things came to my mind fresh. For example, I read that God will reward a… Continue reading Women Scholars in Islam: Some reflections
Surat al-Tatfif
“Woe unto the mean-hearted – those who, when they take the measure from people, strive to have it full, and when they measure for them, strive to make it short.” (Qurʾān 83:1-3) Although some translations render mutaffifin as fraudsters – perhaps over-influenced by the example of tatfif given in these opening verses – the meaning… Continue reading Surat al-Tatfif
Reflections on the theory of evolution as a cultural dogma
The theory of evolution of all species from a common ancestor, with no special distinction for humankind, spills over from the domain and concern of specialists in biology. It does so because the theory is often promoted as something we have to believe. This upsets religious believers who have a quite different understanding of the… Continue reading Reflections on the theory of evolution as a cultural dogma
Some Reflections on ‘Aqidah
A creed is a special kind of formal statement of religious belief or collection of such statements. A very good and justly famous creed among the Sunnis is the document known as al-‘Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah. I will be discussing it at some length. First I wish to clarify the framework in which I will present that… Continue reading Some Reflections on ‘Aqidah
Ease and Relaxation in Islam
Ease is through hardship. Muslims should be suspicious of any ease which does not involve any effort. The obvious example of that is watching t.v. The only effort it requires is to push the button. It actually will be better to sleep rather than watching tvs. There are certain things that the Prophet sanctioned which… Continue reading Ease and Relaxation in Islam