Thank Allah that the horrific terrorist attacks in Mumbai have finally come to an end. Reports say over 190 people have been murdered and hundreds injured, and a country has been left reeling. Of course it’s important that those behind these attacks are bought to justice.

Nothing can justify their actions, yet surely it is imperative to ask the difficult questions of who and why? Who was really behind these attacks Continue reading Mumbai attacks: who and why?

It is reported that Imam Abu Hanifa said “When a hadith is sahih, it is my school (madhhab)“. I have heard this saying of Imam Abu Hanifa on numerous occasions; it is especially useful when one wishes to promote a hadith (in say Sahih Al-Bukhari) which is inconsistent with the (Fiqh) position of the illustrious Imam. Basically the report serves the purpose of encouraging dropping of fiqh with all its usul and qawaid built up and consolidated over hundreds of years of scholarship for a hadith on the assumption that Imam Abu Hanifa was ignorant of the said hadith.

Continue reading Intolerance in the name of difference?

While leading scholars of the past and present have explained that shariah has not prescribed specific celebrations or acts of worship for Al-Isra wal Mi’raj, nor to single this day out for worship – it is useful nevertheless to use this yearly event to reflect and indeed focus our attention on matters of concern for the worshippers of Allah.

Al-Isra wal Mi’raj should be used to remind the world of the oppressive and unjust conditions under which the people of Palestine struggle for their freedom and dignity - the land of Palestine is the land of Al-Isra wal Mi’raj Continue reading Remembering the Isra and Mi’raj

OK – I’ll admit it! I DID go to the nasheed concert at the Islam Expo, and all in all I quite enjoyed myself.

I only went for the Sunday evening performances and thought the Qur’an recitation by Shaykh Jibril and the young winner of the National Qirat Competition (Islam Channel) were particularly amazing. The host, a comedian and Palestinian refugee living in America, was funny and engaging. The music and singing… well it wasn’t all that to be honest! I’m more a fan of Zain and Dawud – old school!

I am of the opinion – as espoused by Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi and others – that nasheeds accompanied with music, in and of themselves are permitted. That the original rule of permission only changes if conditions such as the subject matter, manner of singing, excessiveness (etc) are broken.

But I don’t want to blog about that. I want to blog about the silly screaming, hand waving, dimwits – aka fans (overwhelmingly sisters)! Continue reading Muslim Concert Goers

This year’s European Championship have been tremendous! Some great games, great goals and impeccably well behaved fans! The Dutch fans brought colour and noise to the tournament, the Turks brought that touch of unbelievable fairytale ending and the Russians surprised us all!

With no reports of hooliganism, no violence or yobbish behaviour being reported, what explains this surprising turn of events? Could it possibly be the absence of England (and the English fans) in this year’s tournament? Continue reading Who Misses ENGERLAND?

Shame on you Sadiq Khan!

Shame on you Khalid Mahmood!

Shame on you Mohammed Sarwar!

Shame on you Shahid Malik!

Everybody knows that the extension to pre-charge detention will mostly be used against Muslims, most of whom will be released without charge or prosecuted for a crime not related to terrorism. Everybody knows that these measure will do nothing to build community confidence, and the will to work with the police, in fact it will further alienate and marginalise young Muslims.

Perhaps these measures, as former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said, would be used as justification for “misguided young . . . → Read More: Shame on you oh Muslim MPs