Are we all in?
By Khalil Moya
“Allah wants us to accept Islam wholeheartedly. We must never become part-time Muslims, Jumuah Muslims or Eid Muslims. Islam will only work as a complete system….”
Concerning functional fatwas and disfunctional Muftis
By Abu Aaliyah
“Do fatwas change with place and time; if so, how? Is Islamic fiqh fossilised? Do we require a new fiqh for the 21st century? Are classically-trained muftis fit for purpose in today’s world? Should the ‘ulema be trained in the core philosophical underpinnings of modernity? Does the new maqasid-based fiqh offer a better way forward than the older models? Should Western Muslims rely on scholars from outside the West? These are the core concerns explored in this latest blog. In the course of the discussion, there is a brief reflection about just how legitimate the notion of a modern Islamic ‘state’ is…”
Islam and Original Sin
By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia
“In Islam, religion is not only a spiritual and intellectual necessity but also a social and universal need. It is not to bewilder man but to guide him. It is not to debase him but to elevate his moral nature. It is not to deprive him of anything useful, or to burden him, or to oppress his qualities but to open for him inexhaustible treasures of sound thinking and right action…”
Why shouldn’t Muslims be next?
By Rabbi Allen S Maller
“During October 1517 Martin Luther wrote the “The 95 Theses,” a list of questions and propositions for Christians to debate; and on the last Friday in October, 1517 he nailed a copy of his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. None of the issues he chose to debate then were about Jews or Muslims; although later he had lots of negative things to say about both religions.
Now, for the Reformation’s 500th anniversary, Germany’s main Protestant church has officially renounced its mission to convert Jews to Christianity. As a rabbi I applaud this statement. However I hope and pray that the church will also stop trying to convert Muslims to Christianity…”
Islam enjoins modesty for both men and women
By Moin Qazi
“Outward modesty means behaving in a way that maintains one’s own self-respect and the respect of others, whether in dress, speech or behaviour. Inward modesty means shying away from any character or quality that is offensive to God. ..”
Islam is moderate. Some clerics have made it harsh.
By Moin Qazi
“The theme of moderation in religious practice has been the leitmotif in Islamic literature from the time of Prophet Muhammad. In the Quran and the Prophetic traditions that amplify it, Muslim women and men are called upon to exercise moderation in all aspects of their religious life. The Prophet confirms the essence of Qur’an’s message: “Make things easy, do not make them difficult.”
Prayers unanswered? Please Allah first!
By Essam Mahgoub
“A Muslim and a Mu’min (true Believer) are not the same. A Mu’min enjoys a far higher status with Allah. A Muslim has to work very hard, controlling passions, cultivating patience, and reposing complete faith and trust in Allah, to become a True Believer…”
Good Advice in the month of Muharram
By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia
“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. ..”