“When will it be right to be Muslim and gay?”
Background The above question has been the subject of a lingering controversy over the last few weeks, spawning heated, emotional…
“We only die once” – Turkey’s Call to Arms to protect Jerusalem
Turkey says it has been rallying together an international peacekeeping force as the world looks on in horror at the…
“Vote Today; Be Kafir Tomorrow”: The Issue of Voting
That season of jostling for space to express a view on voting has once again descended upon the population here…
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Playing with Maqasid
Ijtihad (previous article can be found here) is closely associated with the aims and objectives of the Shari’ah (maqasid). When speaking about the conditions for making Ijtihad, Imam Al-Shatabi included at its forefront, ‘to be able to understand the goals of the Shari’ah in totality’1. Hence, with the advent of…
A White Islam
Although the title may suggest otherwise, this has nothing to do with the colour of many people in the UK who, despite the unyielding negative media stereotyping, still amaze us by becoming Muslim. It has more to do with the coloured cards on my niece’s wall, that when combined…
Playing with Ijtihad
Abstract: This paper discusses the concept of Ijtihad and seeks to highlight some observations concerning its correct role and usage. Attachments: File Description File size playing_with_ijtihad.pdf 359 Kb
Tafsir Surah al-Ikhlas
Abstract: Drawing on more than thirty five works of Qur'anic exegesis and related sciences, this commentary comprehensively explains Surah al-Ikhlas (The Purity of Faith), also called Nuru'l-Qur'an (The Light of the Qur'an). Revealed in response to a question posed to the Prophet (SAW) asking him to explain the lineage…
Middle People hear Echoes
I recently received an email asking me what the purpose was of my writings and how I felt these helped the Muslims in Britain and the Ummah more broadly. The writer’s scepticism is not unique to him alone. Indeed many people (Muslim and non-Muslim) regard theoretical musings as sheer bombast…
Finding Fault
Last week, Dr Farhan Nizami was quoted by the Telegraph1 as saying that Muslim parents are to blame for leaving their children open to the lure of ‘Islamic extremism’. However, any individual who actually has grown up, lived amongst, and engaged in discourse with ‘Islamic extremists’ will inevitably come to…
Strangers in our Midst
Abdullah Quilliam titled ‘Shaykh-ul-Islam of the British Isles’ by the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, was a 19th century convert of English descent, and was also the Turkish Consul and Persian Vice- Consul to Liverpool by the Shah. A solicitor by trade, he had travelled across the Muslim world learning…
Stricken with Calamities
Our beloved Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection people will wish that their skins had been cut with scissors in this world, when they see the reward of those who were struck with calamity.” A woman is going through a divorce; a man has…
High Aspirations
The effect of knowledge on early Muslims is evident to all whereas having high aspirations is a topic many are unaware of even though it has and is still crucial to a Muslim's success as well as that of his or her community. The article contains important and practical points…
Islam and the Problems of Modernity
Modernity is the frame that has recently come to dominate discussions in the social sciences. It is a paradigm that is not only shaping the views and ideas of the academic world, but also, in a slightly watered down version, informing the analysis presented in mainstream media. Any discussion…
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Why are new Muslims leaving Islam?
“I don’t know if you can help me; I don’t even know where to start.…
Attractive Hijabs & Shari’ah
Living in the west, the hijab has become a potent indicator of identity with many…
A James O’Brien masterclass in how to deal with people demanding Muslims apologise for #Charliehebdo
http://audioboom.com/boos/2784684-a-james-o-brien-masterclass-in-how-to-deal-with-people-demanding-that-muslims-apologise-for-charliehebdo/ Read today's post: In response to last night's shocking BBC Panorama by Dr Salman Butt Read…
Reply from Dr. Haitham Al-Haddad to allegations made in the Daily Mail & Sunday Times newspaper
I was deeply saddened on Sunday morning to see the article in your newspaper maligning…
