Usul

  • Fiqh – Everything is halal until proven by Divine text (nass)

    Is everything halal or haram? Bismillah “According to our author, all rulings of the Shari’a, without exception, fall into three categories: obligatory (fard), prohibited (Harâm) and permitted (mubah). That which is recommended (mandub) and that which is reprehensible (makruh) fall into the third category – namely, that of the permitted – since they are not…

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  • Usul/Ethics – What is righteousness according to the Qur’an?

    What is righteousness according to the Qur’an? ‘Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, ˹needy˺ travellers, beggars,…

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  • Theology/Fiqh/Politics: Replies to those who prohibit fighting against the Muslim tyrants

    Replies to the Proofs Presented by Those Who Prohibit Fighting Against the Tyrant Bismillah Regarding the proof from the Qur’ān that they use, they say that the verse {O you who believe, obey Allah, obey the Messenger and those who hold authority among you} (Q. 4:59) proves that one is obligated to obey Muslim rulers—just…

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  • Politics/Theology/Fiqh: Is it permissible to obey a tyrannical Muslim Imam?

    Justice of the Imam – Is it permissible to obey a tyrannical Muslim? We say that it is not only permissible to remove a tyrannical Muslim leader, but it is a collective obligation. We also hold that it is not permissible or obligatory to obey such a ruler. We support our statement by the Book…

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  • Theology: Categories of Tawhid by Dr Muhammad al-Mass’ari

    Categories of Tawhid by Dr Muhammad al-Mass’ari Bismillah (1) Tawhid of Adh-Dhaat (of the self/essence): “Al-Asmaa’ and As-Siffat” (Names and attributes). And there are branches falling under it. (2) Tawhid of Al-Khalq (creation), At-Takwin (Formation) and bringing into being from nothing. (3) Tawhid of At-Tadbir (management) and At-Tassaruf (disposal). (4) Tawhid of Al-Hakimiyah (ruling and…

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  • Politics/Social-Theory: Muslims as stand-bearers of justice – Salahuddin al-Ayyubi

    Muslims as stand-bearers of justice – The leadership of Salahuddin al-Ayyubi “Justice was one of the most prominent characteristics of Salahad-Deen’s leadership. He believed that justice was one of thefundamental principles of Allah in this universe; his conviction wasthat justice was one of the fruits of strong faith. He had learned thatfrom his master who…

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  • Theology/Usul – What is the “Deen”?! – by Muhammad al-Mass’ari

    What is the “Deen”?! Our (the Muslim community’s) understanding of the Deen is that it means a complete methodology for life, i.e. a specific way of living, established upon the basis of a comprehensive Aqeedah (belief) concerning the universe, the human being and life; their relationship with what is prior to them (and that is…

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  • Hadith/Methodology: The issue of Hadith-Centrism- The difference between Sunnah & Hadith

    Hadith Centrism It’s a clear pre-requisite for a true scholar or faqih to be a master of Hadith and the historical incidents pertaining to the life and stances of the Prophet Muhammad (s). Nevertheless, it is also evident that Hadith-centrism and Rijal-centrism and an excessive focus on the concept of sahih sanad (chains of transmission)…

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  • Usul al-Fiqh: When Khabar Wahid contradicts the common practice – Usul al-Shashi (Hanafi principles) “Based upon this (that the conditions of narrators vary) we say that if Khabar Wahid contradicts the apparent it will not be practiced upon. An example of Khabar Wahid contradicting the apparent is when it is not the common practice of…

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  • Major difference between the Sunni and Zaydi schools – Khuruj– Quietism & Activism

    Sunni view: وَلَا نَرَى الْخُرُوجَ عَلَى أَئِمَّتِنَا وَوُلَاةِ أُمُورِنَا وَإِنْ جَارُوا وَلَا نَدْعُو عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا نَنْزِعُ يَدًا مِنْ طَاعَتِهِمْ وَنَرَى طَاعَتَهُمْ مِنْ طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَرِيضَةً مَا لَمْ يَأْمُرُوا بِمَعْصِيَةٍ وَنَدْعُو لَهُمْ بِالصَّلَاحِ وَالْمُعَافَاةِ “We do not rebel against our leaders or those in charge of our affairs, even if they are tyrannical. We…

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