Explaining Islam in Light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ‎)

Archives for December 2002

Clarification Sought Regarding Dhikr

Question The question I asked originally referred to the practice of taking some time out from your worldly distractions, sitting down in some quiet place and doing nothing else but stating sentences that glorify and praise Allah. I myself have done this many times, and have seen others do it too, so I know the […]

What Would We Have Done if Hadith Were Not Formally Compiled?

Question A large part of Islamic jurisprudence rests not only on the Quran, but also the Hadeeth and Sunnah. However, the Hadeeth and Sunnah were compiled and recorded in an acceptably authentic collection of famous Hadeeth scholars like Imam Malik, Muslim, Bukhari, etc… many years after the prophet’s death. If these men never existed, or […]

Clarification of the Reasoning Behind Your Response

Question You describe eating in public as “uncouth and indecent.” Does this happen to be your own personal perception of the issue, or is this attitude borne of your understanding of the portion of the Qur’an and Sunnah that directs us in this matter? Do you not think that what constitutes indecency and uncouthness is […]

Making Alterations to the Creation?

Question What comes under the category of making alterations in the creation of Allah and beautification? In a related matter, is the beard mandatory? Some say it is because not wearing it one will make you resemble the Kuffar and that’s why its mandatory. If so, why? If not, why not? Jazaakumullah Khair. Answer For […]

Where Does One’s Obligation to Discover the Truth End?

Question Where does the obligation of a regular person (like me, who is literate and knows how to find knowledge from different sources), end? For example, is he supposed to just follow an Imam (out of the four)? Or is he supposed to just follow a scholar of his certain Madhab? Or should he do […]

How to Determine the Context of Verses and Ahadith?

Question Most of the explanations given in your answers/articles are based on the rule and that is the CONTEXT of the verses of the Qur’an as well as the Hadith quoted is taken into consideration. My question is that how do you (or for that matter, someone else interested), find the authentic CONTEXT of a […]

Taqleed & the Opinions Expressed at ‘Understanding Islam’

Question From the articles at your website and the understanding-islam website, I have gotten this impression that blind following is discouraged because the arguments against this include the one that says that we should only follow what the original source says, that is the Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon […]

Shaving or Trimming Chest Hair

Question I want to know about the chest hairs. Can we trim these hairs like under the arm hairs? Although everyone should adopt the way GOD created us, but apart from showing off fashion, can anyone do this just for his personal deed? Regards Answer The Shari’ah has provided guidance only regarding our physical and […]

‘Closing of One’s Mind and Heart’ & ‘Khatm al-Quloob’

Question With reference to Islam/Quran: What is the meaning of the term “Closing of one’s Mind and Heart” and when/why does this happen? Are “Closing of Mind” and “Closing of the Heart” two separate terms? What is their meaning? Is “Closing of Mind” integrated with the “Closing of the Heart” and if one of them […]

The Test of Humans

Question Please read the following three statements: i. One, as an individual or as a nation, MUST correctly appreciate one’s essential survival needs (ie for example food, clothing, shelter/house, security of life, property and honor/self-respect, health and medical care, transport, utility expenditures of electricity and gas, children’s education, availability of justice, etc.) in accordance to […]