When France almost went Islamic: ʿAbd-ar Raḥmān al-Ghafiqi
“Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allāh. Some of them have paid their vow by death (in battle)…” The recent tragic events in Paris have put the spotlight on the Muslims in France. Indeed, there was a time when the land of the Muslims stretched from the Middle East, through Africa, the Iberian Peninsula right up to, and including, parts of France. This was during the Ummayad Caliphate when Muslims were perhaps the foremost military power in the world. Tariq b. Ziyad led a conquest and liberated Spain, in or around…
The Right-Wing Press: Heirs to the Journalism of Ancient Quraish
Just this weekend, we have seen more than 20 articles, some of which are deserving of front page coverage by the right-wing press. These newspapers appear to have waged an orchestrated and relentless campaign against Muslim dissenters; including Muslim organisations, major and mainstream Muslim scholars, activists and personalities. Selective and out-of-context quoting of Muslims, unfounded accusations of extremism, and guilt by association are the principles of many journalists today in the UK. But this is not a new phenomenon when looking at the history of Islām. The opposition of the Quraish to the message of Islām greatly influenced the rest…
How stones changed the course of history
“And when you threw, it was not you who threw; it was rather Allāh that threw” Stone-wielding Palestinians have become a symbol against the brutal illegal occupation. However, the practice of stone-throwing and stones and rocks themselves, have deep religious, cultural and historical resonance as we shall now explore. Abraha and Makkah An analogy can be drawn between the situation of the Palestinians and that of the people in Makkah before the advent of Islām; when the Christian Ethiopian king of Yemen, Abraha, launched an attack on the city and the Ka'ba in 571 C.E, the year of birth of…
Shaam: The Graveyard of its Enemies
On 30 September 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin requested permission from Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, to deploy the country's military in Syria. On the same day, the Federation Council approved the use of Russian military in Syria to fight ISIS. Permission was granted after a unanimous vote, however any combat operations will be limited to using the air force. Russian media reported that Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad had asked for Russia to intervene by providing military assistance. Whilst Russia has joined the fray in Syria using the excuse of fighting ISIS to gain legitimacy, it…
When nations perished for harming Muslim women
Sister Hadeel - How many more murdered will it take? On 22 September 2015, a teenage Palestinian Muslimah, Hadeel al-Hashlamun (rahimahallāh) who was 18 years of age, was targeted and unlawfully executed by Israeli troops in the illegally occupied Hebron, West Bank. Whilst we all viewed images, footage and remembered the house of Allāh much in this blessed month where many made Hajj, it is apparent that the Ka’ba is perhaps the greatest Islamic symbol present, with Muslims all over the world turning their faces towards it five times daily. Though the prayer near it has more reward than anywhere…
Lionhearted diplomacy: the remarkable reign of Alp Arslan
Sultan Alp Arslan was a just, generous, and pious leader; the lion of Manzikert, he was a warrior who performed a key role in overcoming Byzantine attacks on Muslim lands.
Plotting of Cameron, of al-Rahman & the discovery of a Qur’an
The Plotting of Cameron, The Planning of al-Rahmān, The Discovery of a Qur’ān. “And (remember) when the disbelievers plotted against you (O Muhammad) to imprison you, or to kill you, or to get you out (from your home, i.e. Makkah); they were plotting and Allāh too was planning, and Allāh is the Best of the planners.” Fir’awn (Pharoah) who ruled Egypt was a tyrant who oppressed Banī Isrā’īl (the children of Israel). He used every means to demean and disgrace them whilst he and his followers were intoxicated with pride of race and material civilisation. They were kept in bondage…
Muslims vs Vikings
Muslims vs Vikings "And were it not for Allāh's repelling some men with others, the earth would certainly be in a state of disorder; but Allāh is Gracious to the creatures" The Ummah of the best of the Messengers, the imam of the messengers, most beloved of the Messengers, Muhammad (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) is one which is raised in distinction by Allāh as the greatest Ummah. Such an honour is granted upon this Ummah for many reasons but one is certainly the honour, courage and valour shown by its adherents. Arguably, there is not a group of any significance whom…
CAGE and the Jihad for Truth
CAGE and the Jihad for Truth A man asked the Messenger of Allah (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) “What is the most virtuous struggle (Jjihād)?” The Prophet said, “A word of truth in front of a tyrannical ruler.” When people think of jihād today, they often think of it in the military sense only because of rogue groups purporting to carry out this noble act and those who have twisted and misconstrued the concept, making it synonymous with terrorism and co-called “extremism”. In both cases thus the true essence of jihad—such as standing up against injustice and oppression—is forgotten. 'Jihadi…
From Kufr to Īmān: Guidance and Honour of the Righteous
Say, "To Allāh belongs the east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a straight path." 2:142 In Part 1, ‘From Īmān to Kufr: The Rise & Fall of the ‘Pious’’, I stated that there were not many examples of Muslims apostatising, be it historically or in current times. However Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allāh, there are countless examples throughout history right up until our current times of people converting to Islām. Many have left their legacies, none more so than the Saḥābah (Companions) the majority of whom (apart from those young companions born into Islām),trod…