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

400 years ago, on precisely October 2nd 1609 CE., in the Iberian peninsula, the Spanish fleet escorted a diverse array of ships of many European nations from the port of Denia. The fleet’s destination was multiple landing ports in predominantly Muslim North African shores. It was the first shipment of deported Spanish Muslims who lived there for over a hundred and twenty years after the fall of Muslim Spain in Granada back in 1492 CE. These Muslims were known in history by their Spanish title the “Moriscos.” Read More »

The following is the final instalment of a three-part series of posts on the subject of "Islamic Jerusalem", written by our latest associate author, Dr J. Hashmi. Read More »

The following is the second installment of a three-part series of posts on the subject of "Islamic Jerusalem", written by our latest associate author, Dr J. Hashmi. Read More »

The following is the first instalment of a three-part series of posts on the subject of "Islamic Jerusalem", written by our latest associate author, Dr J. Hashmi. Read More »

The simple reason for the Prophet Muhammad's success in every sphere of life was his dexterity at human relationships. Perhaps the most volatile and delicate human relationship is that between a husband and wife the only relationship between a man and woman based on sexual attraction, companionship and love, that is allowed and recommended in Islam. The reason why so many similar relationships between men and women outside marriage break up so often, is that primarily, it’s partakers do not understand it’s intricacies and requirements pertaining to human behavior. Read More »

...I saw a man externally bright; fair of face. His form was not blemished; he was not afflicted by extreme leanness, he was not plump but beautifully proportioned; his eyes were deep set ; he had long eyelashes; his voice was throaty and beautiful; his neck was prominent; his beard was dense; curved furrows (long arched eyebrows). If silent, he possessed dignity, when he spoke, its elevation and loftiness was beautiful. He is the most beautiful person, beautiful from afar and stunning when close.... Read More »

In our previous two articles, we had discussed the date of the birth of the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and demonstrated that there are over half a dozen opinions, the strongest being that he was born on the 8th of Rabīʻ al-Awwal, in the Year of the Elephant. We also mentioned that the first recorded instance of a public celebration of the mawlid occurred in Shi'ite Fatimid Egypt, around the turn of the sixth century of the hijra. In this article, we shall mention the earliest references in Sunni lands to the mawlid. Read More »

It is unanimously agreed upon, by historians, legal specialists and theologians of all groups, that the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam himself never commanded his followers to celebrate his birthday, nor was this practice known for the first few centuries of Islam. How was this practice instituted and who were the first group to think of the idea of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam. - Part II by Yasir Qadhi Read More »

Retread of Shaykh Yaser's wonderful article around Al-Israa' wal Mi'raaj Read here.  (You can comment on the old post as comments are closed here) Image Courtesy AtlasTours (has a nice tourist/historical summary) Read More »

A powerful and descriptive talk by Shaykh Yasir Qadhi on Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA), the first wife of the Prophet (SAW). This talk was given in Cardiff, Wales in January and a similar talk was given at Texas da‘wah Conference in December 2007. JazakAllah khair to Abu Eesa and the ... Read More »