Lesson No 01
Islamic Practical Laws: Taqleed
What is Taqleed? Taqleed means to comply with or subscribe to the edicts of a jurist regarding practical affairs of religion. These practical affairs are collectively referred to as ‘Furu-e-Deen’ or fundamentals of religion. Necessity of Taqleed in Islamic practical laws Taqleed becomes necessary largely due to the average Muslim’s inability to comprehend and derive … Continue reading Islamic Practical Laws: Taqleed
Knowledge, Pride and Good Neighbours
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) relates from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), ‘O Ali ! Nothing is more indigent than ignorance and no wealth is more beneficial than wisdom. (Al Kaafi, vol 1, pg 25, H. 25) In the light of this tradition, it is difficult to imagine someone more indigent than the Muslims, who probably today are … Continue reading Knowledge, Pride and Good Neighbours
Necessity of Religion
The Creator of the universe has not created man and animals alike. The greatest distinction enjoyed by the former over the latter is reasoning and intellect. Intellect is that invaluable bounty which Allah has gifted only to the humans. It is through intellect that man can discriminate good from evil, right from wrong and truth … Continue reading Necessity of Religion
Stories of the Pious: Hazrat Adam (as), Hazrat Idris (as)
It is necessary for us to learn about the biography of the pious people like the Prophets (a.s.) and the companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.). Through this study, we can learn about the characteristics of a leader and the conditions of his people. We can also pick valuable lessons from the mistakes committed by … Continue reading Stories of the Pious: Hazrat Adam (as), Hazrat Idris (as).
The Last Luminary: Imam Mahdi (as)
The present turmoil and disturbances in the world have struck fear in the heart of man. The menacing threat of nuclear wars, the arms race and increasing insecurity have resulted in acute tension and stress. The alarming growth of destructive weapons is a threat to decimate humanity. The corrupt and unscrupulous leaders of the so-called … Continue reading The Last Luminary: Imam Mahdi (as).
These byelaws, that are expected to serve as substitutes for religion, must address a range of issues like identifying man’s needs, providing him with a framework to manage his affairs, fulfilling his needs, be it physical, spiritual or economical, etc. These statutes must necessarily have an inherent provision for defending the weak and the … Continue reading Roots of Religion: Need of Religion
Hazrat Nuh (a.s.) ‘Surely We sent Nuh to his people, saying : Warn your people before there comes upon them a painful chastisement. He said : O my people! Surely I am a plain warner to you that you should serve Allah and be careful of (your duty to) Him and obey Him.’ Nuh (1-3) …
Continue reading Stories of the Pious: Hazrat Nuh (as)In the words of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) “Verily, the government of Ahle Bait (a.s.) shall be established. Then one who aspires to be amongst our helpers and companions must forsake all sins. He must don the mantle of piety and steadfastness. He must strive to scale the summit of good ethics and morals. Then one …
Continue reading The Government of Ahle Bait (a.s.)Some people often wonder as to why are there differences in the rulings of the religious scholars (Mujtahideen). Which means, why are some minor differences found in the rulings of these scholars for some particular matter, when the rulings are based on four studies – Quran, traditions, consensus amongst scholars and logic. It should not …
Continue reading Religious rulings : Causes of differencesThe Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) declares, ‘The most degraded of persons is the one who ridicules others.’ (Nahjul Fasaahah, p. 48) This statement of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) reveals that there is no place for narrow-mindedness and prejudice in Islam. While on the one hand, Islam proclaims the Unity of Allah and His Omnipotence, on the other …
Continue reading Respect for Others, Falsehood
If we browse through the contents of the Old Testament, the Bible and the Quran, we will find their beliefs, laws, tenets and ideologies at complete variance from each other, notwithstanding the fact that all these are divine scriptures. We find a lot of divergence and discrepancies in their places of worship, their modes of …
Continue reading Guidance of the Prophets (as)“Surely Ibrahim was an exemplar, obedient to Allah, upright, and not of the polytheists. He (Ibrahim) was grateful for His (Allah’s) favours; He chose him and guided him on the right path. And We gave him good in this world and in the next he will most surely be among the good.” (Nahl : 120-122) …
Continue reading Stories of the Pious: Hazrat Ibrahim (as)When exactly did the discussion on Mahdi originate? Did it gain currency during the Prophet’s time, or after his demise? Some are of the view that this belief did not exist at all in the beginning of Islam. It became popular only towards the latter half of the first century, when some Muslims …
Continue reading The origin of the belief in Imam Mahdi (as)As explained in the previous lesson, there are four broad means by which one can arrive at religious decrees and injunctions (ahkaam). These are i) The Holy Quran, ii) Sunnah iii) Consensus (among scholars) and iv) Intellect. FIRST SOURCE : THE HOLY QURAN The foremost source of deriving and comprehending Islamic practical laws is the …
Continue reading Methods of deriving religious rulingsIn a world ridden with vices and allurements, one often comes across people who perform good actions, but do not exercise restraint in their sins. With the result, their sins far outweigh their good deeds. And in some extreme cases, their transgressions nullify all their good actions. And despite all their virtuous deeds, they are …
Continue reading Abstinence from sinsThis being a lengthy discussion, we have segregated it in various parts. In this part, we shall deliberate on the divine nature (fitrat) on which man has been created by Allah. ‘Then turn your face towards religion, being upright. The nature made by Allah in which He has created mankind; there is no alteration in …
Continue reading Importance of Fitrat in TawheedThen the tribe of Jirham came to that site, where the water was discovered. Janabe Haajerah got some much-needed support and she spent her remaining days there, in comfort. Thus Hazrat Ibrahim’s invocation to Allah, regarding Janabe Haajerah and Hazrat Ismail (a.s.), was accepted. Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) had beseeched Allah thus, ‘O my Lord ! …
Continue reading Stories of the Pious: Hazrat Ibrahim (as) (contd..).We have already discussed in the preceding chapter that a section of the Ahle Sunnah scholars have deemed as authentic the traditions relating to Mahdi. Alternatively they have brought the chain of narration of such traditions in their books without casting any aspersion on their reliability. A large number of prominent Ahle Sunnah scholars have …
Continue reading Successive transmission of traditions about Imam Mahdi (as).After the demise of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.), his companions held conflicting views regarding the traditions they had heard from him. One group was of the opinion that those traditions with religious implications must be recorded for posterity. However, the other group deemed that if the traditions were indeed chronicled, then there was always the danger …
Continue reading Narration and compilation of traditions.Islam has placed tremendous importance on the aspect of camaraderie and friendship. Companionship is crucial as it wards off loneliness and distress. This sense of companionship holds a lot of significance in any relationship. Today, we see intense disputes and altercations arising even between parents and children and as well as among siblings . This …
Continue reading Friendship
Our discussion in the previous lessons revolved around the concept of ‘Tauheed’. We had made an attempt to establish God’s existence to those who deny Him. In this lesson, we shall conclude this discussion on ‘Tauheed’ by deliberating on a very important topic, i.e. ‘recognition of God’. Now that we have established God’s existence through …
Continue reading Is God’s existence a reality?“And (We sent) Lut when he said to his people: What! Do you commit an indecency, which any one in the world has not done before you? Most surely you come to males in lust besides females; nay, you are an extravagant people. And the answer of his people was no other than that they …
Continue reading Stories of the Pious: Hazrat Lut (as)Undoubtedly, the tongue is amongst Allah’s greatest gift to mankind, for without it, man would never be able to reveal what is in his heart. It is only with it, that man can disclose his thoughts to others, and conversely also learn about the minds of others. It is with the tongue that man acquires …
Continue reading Controlling the Tongue and Repentance.
