Recent Blog Entries

Nov

2015

Three Abrahamic Faiths?

posted by Seifeddine-M on 4th November 2015 - 0 comments

Although it is a popular contemporary belief to state that there are three Abrahamic faiths, in actuality, the Bible does not contain any instruction to enter into a religion called Judaism or Christianity. Noah عليه السلام, Abraham عليه السلام, Ishmael عليه السلام, Isaac عليه السلام and Jacob عليه السلام came before the words Judaism and Christianity even existed.

"Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was Haneefan Muslimaa [an upright monotheist who submitted himself to Allaah], and he was not of those who associated partners with Allaah in worship." (3:67)

For this reason, the One who sent Abraham عليه السلام as a prophet addressed those who would dispute this matter, saying:

Nov

2015

Allaah Creates All Dreams

posted by Seifeddine-M on 4th November 2015 - 0 comments

"Allaah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs." (Sooratuz-Zumar, 39:62)

Allaah's سبحانه و تعالى creation is all good, and is of great underlying wisdom and benefit. However, the goodness and wisdom behind what appears to be evil may not be perceived by many people.

Whereas texts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah attribute good and honourable actions directly to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, they often do not directly attribute to Him actions or things that are apparently evil. This is done out of respect and reverence for Him. The same rule applies to dreams: attributing good dreams directly to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is a common practise in the Sunnah, whereas bad dreams are attributed to Shaytaan - though he does not create them.

[The Dreamers Handbook]

Nov

2015

Knowledge and Capability Is From Allaah

posted by Seifeddine-M on 3rd November 2015 - 0 comments

The acquisition of true knowledge normally leads to humility when approached in a sincere manner. One who acquires true knowledge realises how little they know. However, when it is approached in a materialistically restricted manner, it causes people to become proud. This flawed approach to seeking knowledge is not something new, and has precedents from others who have lived in former ages:

"Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)." (Soorah Ghaafir, 40:83)

Nov

2015

Pluralism: Are There Many Ways to God?

posted by Seifeddine-M on 3rd November 2015 - 0 comments

Many materialists and pluralists today still believe in the existence of a Creator. After affirming the creational aspect of God's oneness, many of these same people claim that no one particular truth exists, or that nobody should claim that hey follow absolute truth from the Creator. This belief directly implies that God who created them did so for no particular reason, and that nobody should claim that there is any one specific purpose to life.

"Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?" (23:115)

Belief in the existence of an All-Knowing and All-Wise Creator necessitates that He created us for a very important reason:

Nov

2015

What Are Dreams?

posted by Seifeddine-M on 3rd November 2015 - 0 comments

Dreams are among the spiritual puzzles of this life. People have conflicting and confusing views regarding their nature. Only by adhering to the guidance of the Qur'aan and Sunnah can we form a reasonanble understanding of dreams.

Imaam al-Maaziri رحمه الله said: "People have numerous arguments regarding the nature of dreams. As for those who not adopt a religious understanding, their arguments are particularly outrageous. They tackle issues that cannot be reached with the human reason, and for which there is no proof; and since they do not believe in the Revelation, their statements are widely conflicting." [1]

Imaam al-Qurtubi رحمه الله said: "The reason for the confusion of non-religious people in regard to dreams is that they turn away from the Straight Path of the Prophets عليهم الصلاة والسلام. What we say is that dreams are reflections of the soul; and since we cannot comprehend the soul, we would not, obviously, comprehend its reflections..." [2]

We establish below that dreams are visions that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى creates and instills into our hearts.

Some dreams, truthful and sublime, are granted by Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. They support and reassure a believer, warn him of some individuals, reprimand him for some of his wrongdoings, foretell him of some good (to anticipate) or harm (to beware of), and so on. Such dreams are attributed to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى because of the truth and good they carry.

Oct

2015

The Islamic Concept Of Dreams

posted by Seifeddine-M on 30th October 2015 - 0 comments

Linguistic Definitions

A dream is a vision that a person sees during his sleep. The Arabic words for dream are ru'yaa (pl. ru'aa) and ḥulum (or ḥilm, pl. aḥlaam).

In the Qur'aan, the word ḥulum appears three times [1] - each time referring to mixed-up dreams, and the word ru'yaa appears seven times [2] - each time referring to truthful dreams.

In the Sunnah, "ru'yaa" and "ḥulum" are sometimes used interchangeably. More often, however, ru'yaa is used for a good dream and ḥulum for a bad one.

Oct

2015

Sleep Is A Minor Death

posted by Seifeddine-M on 29th October 2015 - 0 comments

During sleep, our souls depart from our bodies in an obscure manner. The soul of every sleeping person is held by Allaah, and He then releases it when it is time to wake up. This is expressed by texts from both the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.

Texts From The Qur'aan

Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says,

Oct

2015

Bringing About An Islamic Society

posted by Seifeddine-M on 27th October 2015 - 0 comments

Many scholars, such as Shaykhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله and Imaam Ibn Khaldoon رحمه الله, state that humans are social creatures. It is clear from the Qur'aan that every human being is part of a greater society and it not an island unto himself. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Qur'aan,

"O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allaah , through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allaah is ever, over you, an Observer." (Sooratun-Nisaa', 4:1)

In general, from birth, a human is a person's son or daughter, another's brother or sister and yet another's nephew or cousin. Furthermore, almost everyone has neighbours and many have spouses. The guidance of the Qur'aan produces not only the Islamic individual with respect to his worship and character, but beyond that it also guides humans in their relationships to one another such that they create a society based on mutual understanding, rights and responsibilities all according to the guidance of the Creator, the All-Wise, the All-Knowing. This society works together as a whole and uses all of its resources in ways that are pleasing to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى.

Oct

2015

Creating the Complete and Balanced Islamic Individual

posted by Seifeddine-M on 26th October 2015 - 0 comments

The Importance Of Having Both 'Ilm (Knowledge) And Taqwaa (Fear of Allah/God-Consciousness)

The Qur'aan is not simply a book of laws - of dos and don'ts - but it is foremost a book of tarbiyyah or a Book that develops and allows people to grow spiritually and morally. In the following verse, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى describes the Qur'aan as a maw'idhah,

"This [Qur'aan] is a clear statment to mankind, a guidance and admonition (maw'idhah) to the Muttaqeen (those who fear Allaah, have God-consciousness)." (Soorah Aali 'Imraan, 3:138)

Oct

2015

Did The Prophet (SAW) Appoint 'Ali (RA) As His Successor?

posted by Seifeddine-M on 23rd October 2015 - 0 comments

A Commentary of the Hadeeth: "You are unto me as Haaroon was unto Moosaa."

On the authrority of Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqaas رضي الله عنه, that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said to 'Ali Ibn Abi Taalib رضي الله عنه: "You are unto me as Haaroon was unto Moosaa, except that there will be no Prophet after me." [1]

The narration of Ahmad on the authority of Sa'eed Ibn al-Musayyib has it that 'Ali رضي الله عنه replied: "I am content, I am content!"

Ibn Sa'd narrates essentially the same story on the authority of al-Baraa' رضي الله عنه and Zayd Ibn Arqam رضي الله عنه, who reported that 'Ali's رضي الله عنه reply was, "Indeed, O Messenger of Allaah,' to which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "It is indeed so."

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