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Articles, Page 8

Cracks in the Mirror: Idolatry in Celebrity Culture

By Dr Osman Latiff

In Islam worship entails knowing God, loving Him, obeying Him and directing all aspects of worship to Him alone. From this a universal logic can be derived – that the object of worship is the thing you want to know the most, the thing you love the most and obey, and the thing that you direct acts of worship (like gratitude) towards the most. The great Muslim theologian Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya explained it succinctly thus: “Whoever knows his Lord, loves Him.”9

Why The West Craves Materialism & The East Sticks To Religion….

By President Imran Khan
“This thought provoking article offers personal reflections by the President Imran Khan of Pakistan. He tells how his own understanding of Islam evolved and matured over the years. He calls for a return to the ‘middle way’ of the Quran, as a way of reconciling different groups in Pakistan. This is the only way forward not only for Pakistanis, but for Muslims everywhere…”

In the Fatiha, Jacob Blake’s father called for justice for his son…

By Omar Suleiman
“On Tuesday (Aug. 25), as the father of Jacob Blake spoke to the press, he began with a Muslim prayer from the beginning of the Quran, recited in Arabic, before tearfully reminding the nation and the world that his son matters.

Seven verses to match the seven bullets fired at his son.

Though those who listened may not have understood the words, they felt the anguish in a father’s voice and the cry for healing and justice. Whether or not Jacob Blake Sr. or Jr. is a Muslim is irrelevant to the situation. What happened to their family is another sign of the systematic dehumanization of Black people in America, and the ever-recurring and unremedied incidents of police brutality…”

The Real Essence of Hijrah: Transcendent Human Development

By Mansoor Alam

“Hijra plays a very important role in the life of believers (Mu’mineen). Those who are content to live a wretched and oppressed life in an ungodly society will be asked by the angels (Malaaika) at the time of their death: “Why did you lead such a wretched life?” They will answer, “We were weak and helpless.” The angels will then say, “Wasn’t the earth of Allah vast enough for you to undertake Hijrah to some favorable place?”

The Great Dive

Full article on www.masud.co.uk
By Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Tim Winter)
“Williamson visited the mosque and the tomb of Imam Abu Bakr al-Aydarus, as well as making the acquaintance of the sayyids and other religious notables of the Arabian port. Although the ulema advised him to take his time and not rush into an ill-considered conversion, the colonial authorities came to the opinion that the brawny Bristol policeman was Not Quite The Thing. A crisis flared when another constable who had publicly converted and announced that he had memorised much of the Qur’an even before joining the Faith, was deported to India…”

A lamp in the shade of a mountain: Shaykh Seraj Hendricks

By Dr Hisham Hellyer
“The allama, Shaykh Seraj Hassan Hendricks, returned to the mercy of his Lord on the 9th of July, 2020, in Cape Town, after decades of serving the Divine, His religion, and His Prophet. If not for the COVID19 restrictions, there would have been tens of thousands, undoubtedly, who would have attended his funeral prayer the following day at the mosque that his grandfather, the great Shaykh Muhammad Salih Hendricks, built in Cape Town, in the shadow of Table Mountain, a hundred years ago. Azzawia Institute, known as ‘Azzavia’ in local parlance, would have seen Muslims and non-Muslims alike, who would have known him as a father, a friend, a scholar, a teacher, a poet, and a shaykh of taṣawwuf. As for myself, he was all these things to me”

Hamza Ali Abbasi calls out ‘today’s Muslims’ after Hagia Sophia ruling

“I often read about how Umar ibn Al Khattab RA refused Patriarch Sophronius’ offer to pray in Church of Holy Sepulchre in conquered Jerusalem, so Muslims won’t later convert it into a mosque. I read about how the Sahaba RA (companions of Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h) didn’t harm the Bamiyan Buddha statues in conquered Khorasan…. And then I see those Muslims today. Thumping their chests and proclaiming the victory of Islam by converting churches into mosques and stopping a small mandir from construction (in Islamabad). No wonder Allah has given us Muslims the azaab of zillat (humiliation) and mehkoomi (subjection) in this world.”

Travelling Home..

By Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad
In his latest book, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad discusses the awkward relationship between Europe and its Muslim citizens. He suggests a creative response. Instead of taking a defensive attitude, we should trust Allah and work hard to benefit our neighbours and wider society. By understanding that our ‘enemies’ are themselves victims of moral, emotional and spiritual illness, we must become “therapists rather than complainers.” Allah is the “Turner of hearts” (muqallibul quluub) and is quite able to turn our enemies into beloved friends..