MuslimMatters.org Discourses in the Intellectual Traditions, Political Situation, and Social Ethics of Muslim Life

A paper by Yasir Qadhi on the basmala, or the phrase bismillāh al-raḥmān al-raḥīm, one of the most oft-recited phrases in the life of every single observant Muslim. It occupies a key place in the Qurʾān itself, for it is the only non-Qurʾānic phrase that all copies of the Qurʾān included, apparently as a ‘marker’ between the Sūrahs. Numerous works have been written specifically about the basmala. In this response, a brief linguistic and grammatical explanation will be offered, followed by a discussion of the name al-Raḥmān. Read More »

How do we begin to describe the love of our life? If Allah gave us someone for one or two years and taken her away it would have been easier because of her short life or if she had been married with children and away from the home it would have softened the loss but our baby girl in the prime of her life at just the age to be married and the Lord of the universe decides as our Prophet (SAW) said the moment of his death, "Balir-rafeequl-'alaa, Balir-rafeequl-'alaa - certainly the highest companionship, certainly the highest the companionship," when he was given the choice to go or stay. Read More »

An article by Yasir Qadhi on the Qur'ān's use of 'foreign vocabulary' that was allegedly adopted into the Arabic language. It is claimed that many of these loanwords have been taken from their liturgical usage in the Jewish-Christian tradition. It is also believed by Orientalists that the Qur'ān includes many passages that have their parallels in biblical or extra-biblical narratives. How do we as Muslims critically assess these phenomena of the Qur'ān in view of the claim that the Qur'ān is divine revelation, word for word? Read More »

A short essay by Yasir Qadhi demonstrating, inter alia, the reason why orthodox scholars of the past (viz., the Ahl al-Hadīth and those who followed them) disapproved of kalām. The question was with regards to atomism and the role that it had on the groups of kalām, in particular the Ash'arites, and is posted here, as is. Read More »

Introduction Part One: The Islamic Beliefs Regarding Salvific Exclusivity It is a fundamental belief of Muslims that Islam is not only a divinely revealed religion from God, but rather that it is the only acceptable religion and the sole legitimate path to His pleasure. Such a belief is not an ... Read More »

The Many Paths to God? Introduction As Muslims living in the West, we are faced with a myriad of legal, religious and political problems that our brothers in the East are relatively free from. One of the more controversial issues – an issue that intersects politics and religion – is ... Read More »

Synopsis: This article seeks to discuss, in moderate detail, the fiqh ruling on giving zakāt al-fiṭr in the form of money instead of staple food item. In this author's opinion, although it is best to give zakāt al-fītr in staple food, there is no unequivocal evidence to suggest that giving ... Read More »

A very inspiring story, from Arab News (follow link for photo). What really inspired me – more than the story of this orphan teenage convert who memorized the Qurʾān in the midst of a civil war, which in iteslf is a beautiful story – is that the percentage of Muslims ... Read More »

Update 9.25.07: List of signatories missed in the first issuance, added below. . In the Name of Allāh, the Ever-Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy All Praise is due to Allāh, and may the salutations of Allāh be upon the Beloved Messenger. Alḥamdulillāh, a very blessed and important step was recently ... Read More »

Out of all the symbols that Muslims could have chosen to symbolize the unity of Islam, it is indeed ironic that they chose the crescent, which for many signifies the greatest manifestation of division amongst Muslims, at least in Western lands! Yes, it's that time of the year again when ... Read More »