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Start of Ramadhan 1434: Press Release Introduction: This is a synopsis of the findings of Moonsighting (UK), ICOP & ICOP-UK on the start of Ramadhan deliberately edited and simplified for common Muslims to understand and use to protect their acts of worship during the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Before proceeding further, we would like to inform the readers that ICOP is an International body comprising of over 400 members from all over the Muslim world including Saudi Arabia who research issues relating to moon sighting and make deliberate attempts to sight and coordinate naked eye sighting of the moon every month and not just the Holy month of Ramadhan and Dhul-Hijjah. You must understand and internalise this important distinction since it isn’t possible to attempt to coordinate naked eye sighting of Ramadhan moon without attempts to sight and coordinate sighting for every Islamic month. 1 Europe/UK: Free email, mobile alerts by Islamic Crescent Observation for the UK every month 2 Europe/UK: Wifaqul-Ulamah (UK) Body of Scholars coordinating and informing people about moon sighting 3 USA: Hilal Sighting Committee of America 3 South Africa: Moon sighting is announced via various means including Shaykh Ebrahim Bham (Twitter), Channel Islam International etc 4 Pakistan: Announced on local media and emails are sent out by a Yahoo group managed by Shaykh (Mufti) Sultan Alam (HA) who is the Head of Department of Astronomy Jamiatur Rasheed (Karachi, Pakistan) 5 India: Announced on local media and collected and reported on our site All of the sources above report on naked eye moon sighting for every Islamic month, they neither look at a calendar hanging on their wall (for months other then Ramadhan) nor spring into a frenzy of activity 1 day before Ramadhan and start discussing moon sighting. Many of the Scholars, brothers and sisters involved have over a decade of involvement in monthly moon sighting. Full investigative report from Moonsighting (UK) about Ramadhan 1434 in 3 languages: Years of experience and coordination has enabled thorough and impartial investigation into moon sighting for Ramadhan (1434) and presentation in 3 most commonly understood languages for Muslims, see below. 1 Ramadhan (1434) Moon sighting report (English) 2 Ramadhan (1434) Moon sighting report (Arabic) 3 Ramadhan (1434) Moon sighting report (Urdu) Full article here

The Last Ottoman

This is long but well worth reading, Masha.Allah Interview with the Wife of Shaykh al-Islam Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (May Allah preserve him) (Reproduced, with minor editing, from ‘The Intellect’ magazine (published in Karachi, Pakistan), with direct permission from the Interviewee and Shaykh Mufti Taqi Usmani) Question: Shaykh Mufti Taqi Usmani has spent his entire life in the service of Islam with constant effort and hard work. To achieve so much Masha Allah, he must have a support system at home. Can you kindly share with us how you help him out? Wife of MTU: Since the very first day of our marriage, I decided – with the intention of earning reward – that I will take up all household responsibilities in a manner so that Shaykh can fully concentrate on the work of deen. This way, I [hope to] get a share in the reward of his religious efforts as well. To this end, I not only try to contribute to the religious environment of the house (e.g. by not involving him in vain conversations), but also give him no trouble regarding household affairs, ranging from arranging groceries to buying personal items such as clothes etc. I try to resolve all big and small household issues on my own; for example, getting a broken phone stand repaired. Even when the children were small, I would try to make sure that Shaykh is not disturbed by routine issues related to them. I would also like to mention here that I have been blessed by Allah Most High with one of the most considerate of spouses, who has always provided me with the best of worldly and religious environment at home. I feel total bliss, Al-hamdulillah. Question: Shaykh travels abroad very frequently. Did you get chances to travel with him? If yes, how do you keep yourself occupied when he is busy in official meetings / work etc? Wife of MTU: I travel very frequently with Shaykh. In fact, I have accompanied him on many foreign tours. Usually, as we board the plane, he begins work on his laptop and keeps working until the plane lands at the destination. In the meantime, I get myself busy in completing my daily recitations (ma’mulat/wird) during the course of the journey. At the hotel, Shaykh proceeds to his official engagements and I open up the Holy Qur’an for recitation, reading [also] the translation, etc. Actually, I love reading. At home, since one is busy with household affairs, one does not get enough time to read with concentration. So on these travels; I fulfill my desire of reading [with concentration]. Recently, I was trying to learn Arabic, so I would open up my Arabic books and try to study. When Shaykh would come to the room for lunch, I would show him about something I didn’t understand. I am not too fond of outings or shopping, so even with many ladies offering to show me around the town, I prefer to stay at the hotel and follow my routine. At Fajr time, Shaykh and I always go for a half hour walk together, no matter where we are. In the evening, even when I am at home, I complete my evening half hour walk on a treadmill while reciting at least one Juz of the Holy Qur’an. On foreign tours, after the official work has finished, Shaykh many times adds an extra day to the trip for my sake to show me different sites and places in the city. Question: When the children grow up, the ladies of the house get some extra time to spend as they like. How do you utilize that time and how to do you spend your average day? Wife of MTU: Every Thursday, I deliver a talk for the female teachers and staff of the Hira Foundation School [the hybrid school offering the Cambridge education system along with religious learning within Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi premises], where I read from Shaykh’s [book] Islahi Khutbat. I also frequently make surprise visits to the school to check up on its work. As far as my daily routine is concerned (which is aligned with that of Shaykh’s, to give him maximum comfort), it mostly goes like this: After Fajr, we go for a walk together; then we have breakfast at 7:30am. Shaykh then proceeds to his 8.00 to 10.00am class to teach Sahih al-Bukhari, while I get busy in household chores. He comes home at 10.00am, and until 12 noon works on his laptop [writing books, etc]. 12.00 to 2.00pm are his office hours, so he proceeds there. After Zuhr prayers, we have our lunch together at around 2.15pm, and then rest for half to one hours (till around 3.30pm). [From 3.30pm till Asr, he goes back to his office where teachers, students and others have an opportunity to consult with him]. Asr to Maghrib prayers is family time. Shaykh is very particular that we all sit together at this time and discuss any issues of interest. From Maghrib to Isha, he proceeds to do his own work e.g. if he is working on a book, then writing, researching for it etc. After dinner, we all sit down for 10-15 minutes, where Shaykh reads out from a book. The grandchildren must also attend this reading session. After this, he again gets back to work before retiring to bed at 12.00 midnight. Question: What needs to be done to further our work for the reformation efforts directed towards women? Wife of MTU: First of all, more and frequent lecture gatherings must be held for ladies, where discourses of our pious predecessors are read out. The more ladies listen to these, the more impact it would have; not only bringing about a gradual change in them, but they would also be able to positively impact their children and household. Secondly, our approach to reformation should not be an offensive or even direct one; we should not be scolding the other as it would only irritate the listener, and instead of accepting the good advice, she may become reactionary. We should indirectly try to make people understand about prevalent vices by frequently inviting them over to religious gatherings. As an example, if a lady is busy in rearing up children at home and is interested in da’wah work or feels pain at something that her next door neighbour might be doing incorrectly, she should take out just 15-20 minutes out of her schedule, invite her neighbour and another one or two ladies to her place for an informal gathering where she can read out a few pages from a book of a pious predecessor. In this way, the neighbour will get to know the correct approach in a subtle and indirect manner. Even though this effort seems insignificant, but it will, insha’ Allah, have a huge impact if done regularly over a period of time – just like trickling drops of water impact a hard rock over time. We as ladies should also remember to teach our children acts of Sunna and Prophetic (masnun) duas from a very young age. It will help develop their habit of following the Sunna, and we would be able to contribute towards their positive upbringing in a very meaningful manner. To make our advice to others more effective, it is always good to make dua first. Whenever I am to speak at any forum, I always offer two units of Salat al-Hajah (Prayer of Need) to make the effort beneficial for both myself and the listeners. Question: In these unsettling times where separations are rife, is there any particular advice [for women] that you consider important for a happy and successful marriage? Wife of MTU: One thing which I think is vital for wives, especially these days, is to be sensitive to the likes and dislikes of their husbands. It is common knowledge that women generally dress up (in their best clothes), put on perfume, don make-up and look their best when they go out, but at home they remain dressed ragged or in very plain clothes, without being even slightly made-up, with whiffs of the kitchen surrounding them. It should be the other way around, in that while going out, ladies should dress simply and be in Hijab. This would create a very healthy environment. Question: Which of Shaykh’s habits do you like most? Wife of MTU: (Laughingly) All! Masha Allah. In fact, my relatives joke with me that we have never seen a wife listen so intently to her husband’s discourses. We have been, Masha Allah, blessed with a wonderful companionship by Allah Most High. It is the fruit of trying to do everything for each other with the intention of earning reward. Question: What does Shaykh prefer in food? Wife of MTU: He really likes plain mutton gravy and daal mash. Question:These days, we are surrounded by all kinds of vices - for one, there is a fully fledged media attack. To top it, Muslims themselves are inclined towards non-Islamic rituals and practices e.g. non-Islamic rites at weddings, non-observance of Hijab, extravagance, haram sources of income etc. How do we protect ourselves and our children in such an environment and how do we inculcate self-confidence in children when they are to swim against the tide? Wife of MTU: I think the most important thing to do at such times is to keep the household environment healthy and safe. If the home atmosphere is Islamic, where children are trained according to religious injunctions and are taught about the rights and wrongs in a proper manner, Insha’Allah, they will remain safe when they step out. When all members of the house pray regularly, fast and remain busy in Dhikr, Allah Most High protects them from attacks of Satan. And the most critical role in this training is that of the mother. If the lady of the house wishes, she can change the entire environment of her home. On one of our visits to England, we came across a Muslim community whose children knew more Prophetic (masnun) duas than many Pakistani children, whose young girls observed proper Hijab and all the elders were Masha Allah following the injunctions of Islam including prayers at the mosque and adorning the proper Islamic dress. When asked how they could maintain such a lifestyle in an open environment such as in the UK, they simply replied that they had kept their home environments intact. Thus, the children remained insulated from external deviating pressures. So, it is a matter of will really. Islam is as practicable today, in the prevalent environment, as it was in yesteryears. If we want to follow it comprehensively, we need to have a firm and sincere intention to do so. The rest is made easy by Allah Most High. Question:What would you like to say to the readers of our magazine, especially young females who are becoming increasingly aware of their religious obligations but face peer pressure or even resistance at home? Wife of MTU: They should try their utmost to attend religious gatherings and read books of our pious predecessors. The more they do so, the easier and quicker would be their transformation process, Insha’Allah. If a girl decides to bring about a change in her life and remains steadfast and resolved, no one can come in her way. In fact, the members of her household would also gradually start noticing the positive changes in her and might all come around to the complete Islamic way of life too, Insha’Allah. Jazakillah for giving you time and sharing your valuable views with us. Interview with the wife of Shaykh (Mufti) Taqi Usmani (HA)

Exact quote from Shaykh Al-Albani (RA) about the Hadeeth: Hadeeth: 5665 - أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُعَافَى الْعَابِدُ بِصَيْدَا، وَابْنُ قُتَيْبَةَ وَغَيْرُهُ، قَالُوا: حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ الْأَزْرَقُ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو خُلَيْدٍ عُتْبَةُ بْنُ حَمَّادٍ، عَنِ الْأَوْزَاعِيِّ، وَابْنِ ثَوْبَانَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ مَكْحُولٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ يُخَامِرَ، عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «يَطْلُعُ اللَّهُ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ فِي لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَيَغْفِرُ لِجَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ» رقم طبعة با وزير = (5636) [تعليق الألباني] حسن - «التعليق الرغيب» (3/ 282 - 283) «الصحيحة» (1144). [تعليق شعيب الأرنؤوط] حديث صحيح بشواهده Declaration of Shaykh Al-Albani (RA) on the Hadeeth: وتكلم الشيخ محمد ناصر الدين الألباني في صحيحه 3/135 139 عن هذه الأحاديث كلاماً محققاً مستفيضاً، صدره بقوله: “حديث صحيح روي عن جماعة من الصحابة من طرق مختلفة يشد بعضها بعضاً”. وأنهاه بقوله: “وجملة القول ان الحديث بمجموع هذه الطرق صحيح بلا ريب، والصحة تثبت بأقل منها عدداً، ما دامت سالمة من الضعف الشديد كما هو الشأن في هذا الحديث، Declaration of Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (RA): اماليلة النصف فقد روى فى فضلها أحاديث وآثار ونقل عن طائفة من السلف أنهم كانوا يصلون فيها فصلاة الرجل فيها وحده قد تقدمه فيه سلف وله فيه حجة فلا ينكر مثل هذا - كتب ورسائل وفتاوى ابن تيمية في الفقه ج: 23 ص: 132

www.daralturath.co.za Dar al-Turath al-Islami (DTI) literally translates as Home of Islamic Heritage; dar means home and turath means heritage. The dar by means of its various activities aims to provide students access to our Islamic heritage and the scholars associated with it. DTI Part-Time Arabic & Higher Islamic Education evening classes provide students with an opportunity to read and understand the Quran. The Ilm Intensive Courses are primarily aimed at non-Arabic students who wish to further their Islamic education while the Publishing House and Media Center provides relevant literature and audiovisual to this end. The website is honored to host a page dedicated to Mln Taha Karaan, that contains a number of his works covering contemporary as well as classical issues which is a must read for contemporary Muslims earnest to live their Islam in this modern world. AimsOur aim is to enable English speakers to access the legacy of Islam by equipping them with the means to do so. DTI is run by Shafi’ee ulama. Though the courses are not punted as Shafi fiqh courses, they are presented to the awaam of the Western Cape who are 98% Shafi and the biggest Muslim Community in SA. DTI is run by students of Allamah (Mufti) Taha Karaan (HA)

Asslamo Allaikum, I have spent years looking for a dispensation for Asthma patients to use their pump during fasting and havn't found any Scholar in Hanafi Madhab who permits it so if someone knows anyone please let me know. Jazakullah Khairun

Allamah Kasani (RA) & Fatima Bint Muhammad Samarqandi Al-Hanafi (RA) are two very renowned Hanafi Fuqaha husband/wife team and this blog presents their interaction with the famous Muslim King Nurud-Deen Zangi (RA) who was known for his expertise in Fiqh, himself. Read on..... So much for the Modernist Agenda of free for all mixed interaction between men and women!

Asslamo Allaikum Sister, Briefly Non-Muslims live in these lands by rules of a covenant meaning that we have a deal with the British Government that we will obey the laws of the land which don't contradict with Islam and murdering someone in cold-blood is against the law and the against Islam and we are not allowed to break what we have agreed with. The issue is discussed in detail by Maulana Shamsud-Duha (HA) And Shaykh (Mufti) Abdur-Rahman Mangera (HA)

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, During the last century we have had two prominent and powerful literary personalities amongst the Muslim world namely Sayyid Qutb (RA) amongst the Arabs (an Egyptian) and Maulana Abul A'la Maududi (RA amongst the Non-Arabs (an Indian). Both were born and raised during the colonial era of European domination of Muslim lands. Both were obviously concerned about the subjugation and slavery of Muslim lands Both were obviously very concerned about the state of the Ummah Both wrote, spoke and worked to revive the Sunnah amongst the masses and to drive Muslims towards Islam. Both were not Scholars Both wrote Tafseers of the Qur’aan amongst many prominent works The Fatwa of Arab Ulamah towards Sayyid Qutb (RA) and Indian (Pakistani) Ulamah towards Maulana Abul A'la Maududi (RA) . is pretty much the same which is and here we quote Arab Ulamah الأستاذ " سيد قطب " ليس من العلماء ، فلا يُعرف له ترجيحات في الحديث ، أو الفقه ، أو التفسير ، وإنما هو كاتب أديب ، أحب الإسلام ودافع عنه ، ودعا إليه وقد مات في سبيله ـ فيما يظهر لنا ـ ونسأل الله أن يكون من الشهداء . وله كتابات متنوعة ، فيها الصواب وفيها الخطأ ، والعلماء الذين وقعوا في أخطاء في العقيدة أو الحديث أو الفقه : لم نرَ أحداً من أهل العلم حرَّم الأخذ منهم بالكلية ، ولا من هجر النقل عنهم مطلقاً ، هذا مع أن منهم دعاة لمذاهبهم العقيدية ، ومتعصبة لمذاهبهم الفقهية ، وهذا من إنصاف أهل السنَّة مع المخالفين Ustaadh Sayyid Qutb is not a scholar and he is not known for any contribution in hadeeth, fiqh or tafseer. Rather he was a literary man who loved Islam, defended it and promoted it, and he died for its sake – as it appears to us – and we ask Allah to cause him to be among the martyrs. He wrote various books, in which he got somethings right and made some mistakes. With regard to the scholars who fell into errors with regard to ‘aqeedah (belief), hadeeth or fiqh, we do not think that any of the scholars have said that it is haraam to learn from them altogether or to refrain from quoting them altogether. This is despite the fact that some of them promoted their beliefs and their fiqhi madhhabs. This is a an example of the fair-mindedness of Ahl as-Sunnah towards those who differ from them. Both of them have now passed away and it is against Sunnah to start disparagaing and disrespecting people, instead we leave the matter to Allah (SWT) أخبرنا إبراهيم بن يعقوب قال حدثني أحمد بن إسحق قال حدثنا وهيب قال حدثنا منصور بن عبد الرحمن عن أمه عن عائشة قالت ذكر عند النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم هالك بسوء فقال لا تذكروا هلكاكم إلا بخير Sayyida Aisha (RA) narrates that Something bad was said in the presence of the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) about a person who had died. He said: 'Do not say anything but good about your dead" [sunan An-Nasa'i] But since they were not Scholars it can't be left upto the laymen to read and figure out where they were correct and where they made a mistake as laymen (comman people) are not experts themselves so how can they critique someone else's work? So it is advised for people to simply refer to Authentic Ulamah (Scholars) who have written Tafaseer (commentaries) and refrain from reading from somone who wasn't a Scholar. Let the experts (Scholars) decide what to quote and what not to quote from their works... Maktaba Darul-uloom Deoband a few years ago published a Tafseer of the Qur'aan and they mention in the foreword that they have taken a lot of material from the Tafseer of Maulana Abul A'la Maududi (RA) and it is available in Urdu and people are free to read it because it has been checked and published by Ulamah Jazakullah Khaiurn

Request to Non-Scholars: You may ask as to why she is being opposed when she is addressing a woman only gathering? The issue isn’t about this specific gathering but the general approach of Sister Yasmin Mogahed (Mujahid) and her general free mixing and the nature of her programs in USA (and also in UK). We would like to remind everyone of this saying of Imam Ibn Sireen (RA) recorded in Saheeh Muslim when he said: إن هذا العلم دين فانظروا عمن تأخذون دينكم This Knowledge is a Matter of Deen, so be careful who you take your deen from. This blog isn't meant to be a detailed Academic refutation, rather simply a warning for British Muslims to place their trust in the Ulamah (upon the Sunnah) and to boycott a person with Modernist tendencies and it would be ill advised for British Muslims to attend the event to investigate what she has to say during the event! Read full blog here:

Asslamo Allaikum, This is just my opinion and I am not a Scholar and the list is going from beginner to Advanced. Qur'aan: Qur'aan Made Easy The Noble Qur'an: A New Rendering of Its Meaning in English An Approach to the Quranic Sciences (Optional) 'Ulum Al-Quran: Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur'an (Optional) Hadeeth: Forty Ahadeeth of Imam Nawawi The 200 Hadeeth Riyad us-Saliheen The compendium of Knowledge & Wisdom When studied under or with the help of a teacher, you are pretty much done with the most Authentic compliations of Ahadeeth on Fadhail (virtues) in Islam. 3 & 4 are for all Muslims (Revert or born) who want a life changing book. Aqeedah: Aqeedah Tahawiyyah A Return to Purity in Creed (Imam Ghazali) Seerah (Life of Prophet Muhammad (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam): Muhammad (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam): His Life Based on the Earliest Sources Noble Life of the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) Dr Ali Muhammad As-Sallaabee [HA] Audio (Anwar Awlaki (RA): Makkah Period Audio (Anwar Awlaki (RA): Madina Period (1) Audio (Anwar Awlaki (RA): Madina Period (2) Fiqh: Understanding Madhabs & their idelogy: The Four Imans Their Lives, Works and Their Schools of Thought Warning: The book above is not for new Muslims as they need some background and knowledge to understand it but the book absolves the reader of any other material to understand Madhabs Hanafi Madhab: Introduction to Hanafi School of Thought (Article) Gift for Muslims Ascent to Felicity Nur al-Idah: The Light of Clarification 2 & 3 should be in the library of every Muslim (Revert or born) who follows the Hanafi Madhab and anyone who wants to start a study Halaqah! When studied under or with the help of a teacher, you are at Mid-level of Hanafi Madhab and pretty much done unless you want to proceed and become a Scholar and during your daily life need to consult Scholars for Fatwa if you chose not to become a Scholar. Shaf'ae Madhab: Introduction to Shaf'ae School of Thought Ship of Salvation Reliance of the Traveller: Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law Bulugh Al-Maram (This book is not a standard text of Shaf'ae Fiqh but all Salafees teach it as such!). Hanbali Madhab: Introduction to Hanbali School of Thought The Mainstay Concerning Jurisprudence (Al-Umda fi l-Fiqh) The Fiqh of Worship: Commentary on Ibn Qudamah's 'Umdat al-Fiqh (Better translation) Maliki Madhab: Introduction to Maliki School of Thought Treatise of Akhdari Guiding Helper Almurshid Al-Muin Suplemental text for Guiding Helper The Risala : A Treatise on Maliki Fiqh (This book has been out of print for many years so if someone can provide a link as to where to purchase it from that will be great). Islamic History: Stories of the Prophets (Imam Ibn Kathir (RA)) Hayatus-Sahaba (Full & Abridged but read abdridged first!) Men around the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) Women around the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) Islam & Civilisation (Shaykh (Maulana) Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (RA)) Islam and the World : The Rise and Decline of Muslims and Its Effect on Mankind (Shaykh (Maulana) Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (RA)) Saviours of the Islamic Spirit (Shaykh (Maulana) Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (RA)) History of Islam

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Mufti Shah Sadruddin's Facebook page Mufti Kifayatullah of Hathazari Madressah in Bangladesh (Largest Institute in Bangladesh) has confirmed that over 3 000 Ulema & Talabaa (students of deen) have been mercilessly Martyred Salams.Just called Bangladesh. All electricity is cut off and all media is blocked. It's completely shut down. Our people are saying that they used helicopters to shoot the students and Ullemas. There is no confirmed figure at the moment of how many dead as the army is taking away the dead bodies and clearing the streets. The situation is very very bad. The Ullema of Deoband in Bangladesh are always at the forefront and always sacrifice their lives for our deen. Please continue to make dua for them and the deceased. I will keep getting updates and let you know inshallah. Abdul Ahad. Uk Last night, between 50 to 100 Ulema were Martyred in Bangladesh. Their Blood was flowing for approximately 20 kms.Request for Duas Firing still ongoing. Toll has reached 3500. Protest was called for in Dhaka by Ml Shafi Saheb who is a shaagird of Hadhrat Madani and principal of Hathazari. The firing was on those who had attended the protest. Electricity was cut in Dhaka and at around 3am firing was opened on the area where the Ulama and talaba were spending the night.

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, The great Scholar Shaykh (Allamah) Muhammad Zahid ibn Hasan al-Kawthari (RA) [1879-1951] was the last Shaykhul-Islam of the Islamic Ummah as this was a honourific title bestowed and used within the Islamic empire. Read blog

Is Prayer Of Men And Women The Same In Saheeh Bukhari? Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, Matter of dispute: The Madkhalees make the argument that the prayer of men and women is the same as it is categorically stated in Authentic Hadeeth that Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stated: Pray as you have seen me Pray... Since he didn’t make any distinction in this Hadeeth it equally applies to men or women the same way. Instead of presenting one part of the Hadeeth lets produce the full text from Saheeh Bukhari: Hadeeth: دثنا محمد بن المثنى قال: حدثنا عبد الوهاب قال: حدثنا أيوب عن أبي قلابة قال: حدثنا مالك أتينا إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ونحن شببة متقاربون فأقمنا عنده عشرين يوما وليلة وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم رحيما رفيقا فلما ظن أنا قد اشتهينا أهلنا أو قد اشتقنا سألنا عمن تركنا بعدنا فأخبرناه قال ارجعوا إلى أهليكم فأقيموا فيهم وعلموهم ومروهم وذكر أشياء أحفظها أو لا أحفظها وصلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي فإذا حضرت الصلاة فليؤذن لكم أحدكم وليؤمكم أكبركم Narrated Malik (RA): We came to the Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and stayed with him for twenty days and nights. We were all young and of about the same age. The Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) was very kind and merciful. When he realized our longing for our families, he asked about our homes and the people there and we told him. Then he asked us to go back to our families and stay with them and teach them (the religion) and to order them to do good things. He also mentioned some other things which I have (remembered or) forgotten. The Prophet then added, "Pray as you have seen me praying and when it is the time for the prayer one of you should pronounce the Adhan and the oldest of you should lead the prayer. [bukhari] Circumstances & Commands in the Hadeeth: There are (4) things to note in this Hadeeth: These were a group of men (no women) who had the blessed oppurtunity of staying in the company of Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) They were ORDERED to pray like Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) They were ALSO ORDERED to call the Adhaan They were ALSO ORDERED for the oldest one to lead the prayer Madkhali selective interpretation of the Hadeeth: If the prayer of the women is the same as men according to this Hadeeth then: How come it is NOT OBLIGATORY OR SUNNAH on women to call the Adhan with every prayer? How come it is NOT OBLIGATORY OR SUNNAH on the oldest women to become Imam in every prayer? Do other Narrations restrict Adhan and becoming Imam for women? If the Madkhali response is that other Ahadeeth restrict calling the Adhan and leading the prayers for women then we say that other Ahadeeth also state that the method of prayer for women is different to men as explained in detail here. Differences in Salah between men and women

Asslamo Allaikum, Mufti A. K. Hossen of South Africa needs no introduction to the English speaking world and can be heard regularly on Cii Radio He visited Iran in January 2013 and here are the recordings of his visit, followed by the excellent Academic Exposition of Mufti Taha Karaan (also from of South Africa). Visit to Iran Summary followed by Q/A There is no better exposition of Shias by Deobandi Scholars in English language. Jazakullah Khairun

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, Let’s cut to the chase here! Most of us weren’t even born when the Indian subcontinent was carved up into India/Pakistan and later into Bangladesh. In addition, despite all the discussions, analysis and insight (of the wise men and women) the 3 geographical entities are here to stay. Pakistan isn’t the model “Islamic” caliphate and a beacon of hope for Muslims worldwide as touted by many Nationalist Pakistanees, in fact it’s a failed state! Bangladesh is no better and has not done spectacularly well after independence and there is no shinning light at the end of the long Tunnel of Bangali Nationalism. The situation of Indian Muslims is dire and with each passing day their outlook becomes even bleaker. Read blog

Expanded and improved...

Hadrat Qari Siddiq Sahib Bandwi (r.a.) was an astonishing personality. When he came to Gujarat the first time, he delivered a talk and said in it: “Brothers! This is very strange. You have a teacher teaching Bukhari Sharif for the entire year. But when it is time to complete the book, you invite a person from U.P. What an absurdity!?” I realized our folly when he said this. Hadrat Qari Siddiq Sahib Bandwi (r.a.) came to Manchester once. Someone said to him, “Hadrat, there are many people here who would like to pledge bay‘ah at your hands.” Hadrat severely reprimanded them against this and said to them: “Brothers! There are some mashayikh (Sufi Shaykhs) in this place. They all have permission from their Shuyukh to accept bay‘ah from others. Why do you not refer to them? I will stay here for five days and go away. How am I going to treat your spiritual ailments? You are not going to write to me [whereby I could treat your spiritual ailments]. If I accept bay‘ah from you, I will be unnecessarily increasing my following. What benefit is there in doing that?” Such was the level of selflessness of our elders. People are coming to them and asking them to accept their bay‘ah, and they are saying to them, “Refer to those who are present here, and show respect to them.” Hadrat repeated this several times for three days, “Increase the respect of the local ‘ulama’, and link the people to your local ‘ulama’.” (An Echo From the Heart: A collection of lectures delivered by Mawlana Abdullah Kapaurdi Sahib)

Sorry, that's what I meant.

These are all according to Chishti SilSila and for Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi Silsila listen to this

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Baraktuh, Shaykh (Maulana) Qasim Nanotwi (RA) & Shaykh (Maulana) Ahmed Raza Khan Barelwee (RA) both lived in the time of Newtonian Physics i.e. before Einstein came and revolutionised our understanding of the universe with Quantum Physics and especially with his theory of relativity. It is critical to understand their era before we can understand what I am about to discuss. The understanding of their time was that there was a direct relationship between cause and effect and universe was one-dimensional. Read blog

Obviously doesn't apply to women who follow the Hanafi Madhab