500 flood-affected families in Pakistan were reportedly refused shelter because they belong to the Ahmadiya community. Ahmadiya communities were also denied relief goods
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Kawthar
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Kawthar
Struggling to understand Muslims? Amil Imani draws up a helpful guide to understand their mindset
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Kawthar
A married couple were stoned to death in India. The bride’s family opposed the marriage as the groom belonged to a lower caste.
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Kawthar
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Pretty Pink Unicorns
OMG ALLAH IS A T-REX?!?!?! AWESOME!
… seriously, wtf?
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Abu Noor Al-Irlandee
I think he’s saying “Islam” is the T-Rex, not Allah. While the personification of “Islam” is problematic, the author probably realized he would be on dangerous ground if he explicitly started comparing Allaah (swt) to extinct animal species, even really tough ones.
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Willow
Is this publication Shi’i, out of curiosity? There seems to be a great preoccupation with the actions and martyrdoms of Imams Husayn and Hassan. (The death fatwa against Imam Husayn was issued by a “Barney Moulana”, for example…though how ordering the assassination of the Prophet’s grandson is soft and cuddly, I have no idea…)
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Abu Noor Al-Irlandee
I don’t know anything about the publication, but the essay itself is virulently Shi’i. As you note, the logic of the metaphor doesn’t entirely hold at all places. I have heard the phrase “Barney Muslim” or “Barney Islam” used for Muslims seen to be too cozy with non-Muslims, but the theme of this piece is to criticize Shi’i Muslims who are not willing to stand up and condemn Sunnis.
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Pretty Pink Unicorns
The metaphor is totally broken… if you read the article, they say “Barney Islam” tried to murder Ali and his descendants. If Barney is the lovin’ huggin’ Islam, why is it acting like a T-Rex?
It’s also from 2007… not a new post.
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Abu Noor Al-Irlandee
Yeah, it is old and its kinda unfair to pick it out and ridicule it. Based upon the title when I clicked on the link and then especially after I saw the date I began to read the piece with the purpose of defending it here but obviously as I read it I realized I could not do that.
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aziz
the phrase “virulently Shi’i” is as virulently sectarian as the piece was. But I dont see the piece calling upon people to condemn Sunnis as a group – only muawiyah.
Im not one to takfir anyone – but i wasnt aware that there was a case to be made for not condeming muawiyahs actions. Therers nothing sectarian in my understanding about lambasting that particular historical figure. Perhaps I am wrong – if so, educate me.
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Abu Noor Al-Irlandee
Aziz, perhaps I misread the piece. I don’t think I’m going to read it again. I’m sorry if I did.
The Sunni position with regards to Mu’awiyah radiyAllaah ta’ala anhu and all of the companions is as follows (from the Aqidah of Imam at-Tahawi):
وَنُحِبُ أَصْحابَ النَّبيِّ وَلا نُفَرِّطُ في حُبِ أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ، وَلا نَتَبَرَّأُ مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ. وَنُبْغِضُ مَنْ يُبْغِضُهُمْ، وَبغَيْرِ الْحَقِ لا نَذكُرُهُمْ؛ وَنَرى حُبَّهُمْ ديناً وَإِيماناً وَإِحْساناً، وَبُغْضَهُمْ كُفْراً وَشِقاقاً وَنِفاقاً وَطُغْياناً.
93. We love the Companions of the Messenger of Allah but we do not go to excess in our love for any one individual among them; nor do we disown any one of them. We hate anyone who hates them or does not speak well of them and we only speak well of them. Love of them is a part of Islam, part of belief and part of excellent behavior, while hatred of them is unbelief, hypocrisy and rebellion.
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AA
Well, nobody can argue against such statements. Not that I think there needs to be an argument here, but just sayin
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abunoor
AA, I agree a deep theological argument in this forum is probably not productive. I posted from a widely accepted Sunni statement of belief to provide Aziz (or anyone else interested) with the basic understanding that Sunnis have of the companions of Rasul Allah (saw).
Of course the basis of this understanding is not Imam Tahawi said so — there are many ayaat and ahadith which are the evidences which lead to the conclusions reflected in that brief statement.
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AA
abunoor, I am not arguing this quote because it is not debatable. The problem I am identifying is the fact that these types of “statement of belief” are actually not really statement of belief because you could be talking about contemporary issue of the same kind and even an atheist could make that same statement. Having a respect for historical figure or historical event is one thing (which is what this quote appears to do, accept, respect and move on) but having an intellectual and historical scrutiny is another. I touched upon this thought in another thread here.
we all know the history of love and hate between the two groups. The baggage is fourteen year years worth of history of unresolved conflicts, so obviously it can’t be handled with ‘yes’, ‘no’ type of answers. Then there are those who would take either yes or no answers with or without respect.
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Willow
I’ve heard very reactionary Sunnis defend Husayn’s assassination, but they’re a pretty tiny minority. However, the Muawiyah/Yazid/Husayn issue is something I’ve been pressing for a straight answer about ever since I converted (7 years ago now), without success.
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abunoor
For the Sunni perspective on these events, you can check out a cd set by Kamal el Mekki “The Fitnah.” I’m not sure what you mean when you say you are looking for a straight answer, however, Willow. Do you mean you want someone to say “it was so and so’s fault?”
Of course Al-Husayn radiyaAllaahu ta’ala anhu was a beloved companion of the Prophet (saw) as well and he is the chief of the youth of al-Jannah. I have never heard a Sunni saying anything against him (ra).
It is difficult to productively discuss these events because the narratives of what actually happened, while not completely different, are certainly not exactly the same. Above and beyond that, from a Sunni perspective the question becomes, can one learn lessons from such a tragedy without seeking to attribute blame or judge motives? If one cannot do that, then one should just leave the matter alone. You will not be asked about those events in the grave or on the Day of Judgement.
Allaah Knows Best.
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Willow
Do you mean you want someone to say “it was so and so’s fault?”
I kind of do, silly as that may seem. As you observe, there are so many competing narratives of what exactly happened that it’s difficult not to feel (as a Sunni) like one is being asked to believe contradictory things about both Al Husayn and Muawiyah.
Perhaps you’re right and it would be best not to think too hard about it, but since both Muawiyah and Al Husayn were close to the Prophet the idea of the Fitnah is very troubling.
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AA
I’m a Shia, but to be fair, I think there can never be a straight answer and this topic is not worth debating one-on-one with anyone (one can certainly read lengthy books with varied interpretation). I personally think that the narrative works best if you treat it as an archetype instead of finding faults from the history.
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AA
Sorry I meant to say “….instead of finding faults or justification from the history”.
BTW, I am more interested in another event of significance and this one I think is appropriate and worthwhile to search and look for the answers in the history. The event is the event of Saqeefah where the elders decided the fate of leadership for the Muslim communities for the time to come. Wilfred Medalung‘s Succession is literally a heavy book but more suitable for experts. I think this event is generally brushed aside with less concern but it is one important event in the history of Islamic civilization and worth much historical scrutiny.
Okay, back to the normal transmission.
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Kawthar
In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the CIA and the wider intelligence community, is putting cash into Visible Technologies, a software firm that specializes in monitoring social media. It’s part of a larger movement within the spy services to get better at using ”open source intelligence” — information that’s publicly available, but often hidden in the flood of TV shows, newspaper articles, blog posts, online videos and radio reports generated every day.
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Kawthar
The National has an article on the design of mosques, and whether there is such a thing as “Islamic architecture”.
My sister used to constantly have arguments with a professor of hers who believed that in this day and age, minarets serve no purpose as mosques are equipped with loudspeakers.
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Kawthar
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Kawthar
An Indonesian cleric who married a 12 year old girl last year was acquitted of abuse after the presiding judge deemed the charges “unclear and inaccurate”
The prosecution plans to appeal
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Kawthar
At only 16, Babar Ali is described as the ‘youngest headmaster in the world’
“In the beginning I was just play-acting, teaching my friends,” Babar Ali says, “but then I realised these children will never learn to read and write if they don’t have proper lessons. It’s my duty to educate them, to help our country build a better future.”
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mirelle
This is a wonderful story. Thanks so much for bringing it to our attention.
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ali
i knew this at school cambridge abu dhabi we have to make a project about it
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meenukhare
I want to have Babar’s/ his school’s contact no. please.
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Andrea
I’m launching a project based on Babar Ali, could I please get his contact?
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Samah
I would like to donate to Babar’s school– any idea where we can get contact information?
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Piera Rossotti
I would like to get in contact with Babar Ali himself. Is it possible? I’m an old teacher, and wish to help this wonderful young man.
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X
I would like to know your school’s name.
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Manjaree
Hallo, My name is Manjaree Ghosh and I have been in touch with Babar for over a year now, trying to raise funds internationally. I am working with a Non Profit called Deenabandhu (www.deenabandhu.org). We are collecting funds to build a permanent school for Babar. If you choose to donate online, please mention that your donation is for BABAR ALI’s SCHOOL, since there are numerous school projects that the nonprofit is involved in. If you have further questions, please feel free to email me: manj13@hotmail.com. I can also provide you with Babar’s direct contact information if you would like to correspond with him directly. Thank you and have a great day.
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Kawthar
One of the best articles I’ve read so far on the niqab controversy in Egypt: It’s not about niqab, it’s about credibility
The question, which we all should consider now is why Al-Azhar scholars are not obeyed by the public any more? The simple and direct answer to this very complicated question is because Al-Azhar lost its credibility in the eyes of Egyptians. Al-Azhar has been used as a tool in the hands of the regime to satisfy personal and elite interests at the expense of Egyptian’s religious sympathies. Under the claim of defending Islam, Al-Azhar committed some unforgivable violations against open-minded intellectuals and fighters for freedom of expression and freedom of belief. They cracked down on Bahai’s for merely calling for the right to have a national ID card and other official papers that prove them being ordinary Egyptian citizens. They also cracked down on Shiites and Sufis and distorted their image in an unacceptable way.
mirelle, 
AA, 
Abu Noor Al-Irlandee, 
X, 
Wowza.