We Need to Progress; But to Where Exactly? (Pt.2)
As Britain and the rest of Europe grow ever more insistent that to truly belong we must be liberals, and as liberal intolerance of Islam on both sides of the Atlantic rises to alarming levels, the second part of this blog piece asks: Can Islam adapt? Split into six reflection, the first part covered the first three reflections: (i) Islamic law does have the capacity to adapt and expand. (ii) The test to measure the value of progress is to see if it promotes piety - awareness of the divine presence - or does it diminish it? (iii) Muslim responses to change, thus far. Abu Aaliyah's fourth reflection continues here.
Read MoreWe Need to Progress; But to Where Exactly? (Pt.1)
'Islam must reform and adapt to the modern world', is the almost ubiquitous demand sought of Muslims by the world at large. 'Muslims must progress', not in the sense of accepting modern technology, but by embracing modern philosophical values: democracy, a free-market economy, and liberal freedoms; to be more specific. Muslims must join in the jihad against the shari‘ah to prove their modern credentials, is the Monoculture's first article of faith. Can an authentic modern Muslim way of life ever be compatible with liberal ideals? This is the first article of three, by Abu Aaliyah, that attempts to address the question.
Read MoreFussing Over the 15th of Sha‘ban
The 15th night of Sha‘ban has, for a time, become a source of much controversy and argument. Does the night have merit and can it be singled-out with extra prayers and acts of devotion, or is doing so a bid‘ah? Abu Aaliyah addresses the issue and cites a number of classical authorities. He points to the distinction between what scholars have said about the specific Prayer of mid-Sha‘ban, and between general prayers in mid-Sha‘ban. A much needed and insightful read.
Read MoreZakat: A Dereliction of Duty?
The third pillar of Islam is the wealth-tax, or zakat (from tazkiyah - "to purify, cleanse, bless, increase, improve.") Explaining who should give zakat, and to what categories of the poor, needy and vulnerable it is due, Abu Aaliyah raises the issue of whether there is a need for zakat to be distributed right here in our own country? Yet given the dire poverty and hunger millions of Muslims around the world currently live in, is it even a feasible consideration?
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