‘No Thanks’ to Tariq Ramadan

It is known and widely accepted amongst the Muslim jurists that Islam came as a source of blessing and as a mercy to Mankind with the objectives of preserving the five essential human needs in any society; namely religion, life, dignity and lineage, wealth and intellect. Therefore, in order to establish and protect religion, the Shariah obliges the society to establish the various acts of worship in isolation as well as congregation, just as it sanctions the punishment for apostasy, or Jihad in defence of the faith; in order to preserve life, the Shariah sanctions the right of retribution (Qisas), prohibits suicide and calls for the aversion of any harm that may lead to the loss of human life; in order to preserve dignity and lineage, the Shariah legislates...

A Warning to the Spurious Mufti and the Careless Mustafti

The phrase “Allahu A’lam” – Allah knows best – is the adornment of a scholar, with which he clothes himself and guards his nakedness; Whenever a person of knowledge abandons this garment, his nakedness becomes exposed to the public, sooner or later. Therefore, it was from the noble manners and etiquettes of the most competent Mufti and the best signatory on Allah’s behalf, His last Prophet, SalAllahu ‘Alaihi wa-sallam, to say “I do not know” in response to any matter he was unacquainted with. This is in spite of him being blessed with the revelation from above the seven Heavens. It is authentically reported that the Prophet SalAllahu ‘Alaihi wa-sallam, was asked: “Which of the places are the worst?” He replied: “I would...

Simplifying The Two Prostrations of Forgetfulness in Prayer

As-Sahw means “to forget” or “being unmindful”. There are two ways of being unmindful with regards to Salaah. The first is to be unmindful of Salaah, as in the saying of Allah: “So woe to those who pray. Those who are unmindful of their Salaah.” The second way is to be unmindful in Salaah, and this is what concerns us here. Before we deal with the topic of Sajdatay as-Sahw, it is necessary for us to understand the pillars and obligations upon which the Salaah is built, as it is only due to one’s forgetfulness of these essential aspects of the prayer that the two prostrations are legislated. Thus, the two prostrations are legislated to amend for our omissions of pillars and obligations of Salaah. So what are the pillars and obligations of Salaah? The...