Balancing General Principles and Specific Rulings in Islamic Law
Over-Defining a Concept Through Inference Many scholars infer from instances of Qur’anic or Prophetic ruling what they think is the common or universal principle which governs these rulings. For example, the notion that ‘the state of woman is covering’ is derived from...
Reflections on How Muslims Disagree, Dispute, and Divide
Having a debate with someone you disagree with and having a conversation with them are not the same thing. People perhaps think that a debate is just the same as a conversation with the addition of a few rules and procedures. For example, whereas
Questions about the Dictionary of women scholars
The two questions put to me since the publication of the full Dictionary are:1- Among the entries in the book, how many women are narrators of hadith and how many are scholars of hadith, muhaddithat? Why are they not distinguished?2- What is the total number of women narrators and scholars of hadith?
Contagion in Islam
Contagion in Islam: Integrating Faith with Health Precautions Translated by Dr. Abu Zayd Introduction The coronavirus is spreading rapidly throughout the world. The most effective means being considered to stop its spread is for people to remain in their homes and...
Coping with the Covid-19 outbreak
Introduction Covid-19 is spreading at great speed throughout the human population of the world. While Europe and the USA are reporting the highest number of infections, all countries are affected. If the disease spreads in the same way everywhere, there can be no...
Washing the Deceased from COVID-19
Translated by Dr. Abu Zayd Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced unprecedented challenges to Islamic funeral practices. Community workers have raised critical questions regarding the proper procedures for handling the deceased who have succumbed to the...
Address Religious Concerns During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Introduction The Covid-19 pandemic has not only posed significant health challenges but has also raised important questions regarding the intersection of religious practices and public health measures. Medical professionals, who are on the frontlines of this crisis,...
Reduction (Qaṣr) in the Prayer
Translated by: Tariq PandorThey said: What is the default regarding performing prayer (ṣalah)?I said: The default concerning the prescribed prayers is that they be performed in a house of Allah (i.e. a masjid) in congregation (jamāʿa), meeting their...