This long, but immensely rewarding, talk by Brother Joshua Evans describes his journey from Christianity to Islam via the bible. Brother Joshua also goes onto to discuss the importance of dawah and the need for the beautiful message of Islam to be spread to as many people as possible.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Lowlier Than Thou – Naseeha tips from Ibn Rajab
Muslim Matters has an article entitled "Lowlier Than Thou – Naseeha tips from Ibn Rajab" which highlights the need to look at the intention behind naseeha, or advice. The Ibn Rajab in question is Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (rahimuhullah) who wrote “The Difference Between Naseeha and Ta’eer”. The article by Saqib Saab states:
Always give Naseeha sincerely. From the get go, you want to have clear intent that the reason why you’re advising this person is to please Allah (SWT) and find the truth of the issue at hand. Naseeha is not about who’s right and who’s wrong, or if either side is better or “holier” than the other. Both the giver and receiver should be striving for the truth, not to beat the other in a debate. Ibn Rajab writes:
Even more amazing is where he (imam As Shafi’i) said, “I have never debated with someone except that I wished the truth becomes clear; regardless whether it comes from his tongue or mine”. This indicates that his intention was only that of to make the truth apparent, whether it is from himself or the from the person whom he differed with, and whoever thinks like this then there is no problem in refuting his statements by making clear his contradiction to the Sunnah, whether he is alive or dead.
You can read the full article here.
Always give Naseeha sincerely. From the get go, you want to have clear intent that the reason why you’re advising this person is to please Allah (SWT) and find the truth of the issue at hand. Naseeha is not about who’s right and who’s wrong, or if either side is better or “holier” than the other. Both the giver and receiver should be striving for the truth, not to beat the other in a debate. Ibn Rajab writes:
Even more amazing is where he (imam As Shafi’i) said, “I have never debated with someone except that I wished the truth becomes clear; regardless whether it comes from his tongue or mine”. This indicates that his intention was only that of to make the truth apparent, whether it is from himself or the from the person whom he differed with, and whoever thinks like this then there is no problem in refuting his statements by making clear his contradiction to the Sunnah, whether he is alive or dead.
You can read the full article here.
Friday, 4 March 2011
Quran on Dawah: Al Imran: 110
You are the best of people raised up, for you call to all that is right and righteous and you forbid the evil, and you believe in Allah. ~Qur'an 3:110
There is an explanataion of this verse from Tafsir Ibn Kathir here.
There is an explanataion of this verse from Tafsir Ibn Kathir here.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Friday, 25 February 2011
IERA Research on Perception of Muslims and Islam
The Islamic Education and Research Academy (IERA) has published research on non-Muslim perceptions of Islam and Muslims. Researched and written by Hamza Andreas Tzortzis, Dr. Iman Khalaf & Sadia Salam, the summary of the research highlights facts such as:
5% described Islamic dawah material as quite positive and very positive.
71% had never come into contact with any dawah material.
70% did not change their perceptions about Islam after coming into contact with dawah material. 14% slightly worsened or significantly worsened.
76% had never spoken to a Muslim about Islam.
63% had no change in their perception after interacting with a Muslim. 13% had perceptions that significantly worsened or slightly worsened.
62% preferred not to receive any information about religion.
27% had negative perceptions regarding Muslims
75% believed Islam and Muslims had provided a negative contribution to society
32% believed that Muslims are a major cause of community tension
2% responded positively concerning perceptions about Islamic law
76% did not agree to the statement that Muslims positively engage in society
36% did not know who the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon
him) was
61% did not respond positively when asked about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
71% of all participants did not agree that the media is negatively biased towards Islam and Muslims
63% did not disagree to the statement that “Muslims are terrorists”
70% did not disagree with the statement “Muslims preach hatred”
94% did not disagree with the statement “Islam oppresses women”
86% did not disagree with the statement “Islam is outdated”
72% did not agree with the statement “Muslims are law abiding”
85% did not disagree with the statement “Islam is irrational”
71% did not agree with the statement “Muslims are peaceful”
73% did not disagree with the statement “Islam cannot positively contribute to modern society”
You can read the full research paper here
5% described Islamic dawah material as quite positive and very positive.
71% had never come into contact with any dawah material.
70% did not change their perceptions about Islam after coming into contact with dawah material. 14% slightly worsened or significantly worsened.
76% had never spoken to a Muslim about Islam.
63% had no change in their perception after interacting with a Muslim. 13% had perceptions that significantly worsened or slightly worsened.
62% preferred not to receive any information about religion.
27% had negative perceptions regarding Muslims
75% believed Islam and Muslims had provided a negative contribution to society
32% believed that Muslims are a major cause of community tension
2% responded positively concerning perceptions about Islamic law
76% did not agree to the statement that Muslims positively engage in society
36% did not know who the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon
him) was
61% did not respond positively when asked about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
71% of all participants did not agree that the media is negatively biased towards Islam and Muslims
63% did not disagree to the statement that “Muslims are terrorists”
70% did not disagree with the statement “Muslims preach hatred”
94% did not disagree with the statement “Islam oppresses women”
86% did not disagree with the statement “Islam is outdated”
72% did not agree with the statement “Muslims are law abiding”
85% did not disagree with the statement “Islam is irrational”
71% did not agree with the statement “Muslims are peaceful”
73% did not disagree with the statement “Islam cannot positively contribute to modern society”
You can read the full research paper here
Saturday, 19 February 2011
The Misbah Institute and Dr Aminah Coxon
The Misbah Insitute aims to become an institution that caters for the complete needs of new Muslims. The institute has a YouTube channel for the talks it arranges here, including a talk by eminent Harley Street neurosurgeon Dr Aminah Coxon.
There is an interview with Dr Coxon in emel magazine here.
There is an interview with Dr Coxon in emel magazine here.
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