Why have Fatwas against Islamist Terrorism failed as A Counter-Terrorism Tool, Explains Sultan Shahin in a Conference in Birmingham, And Suggests the Kind of Fatwa Required

By Sultan Shahin, Founder-Editor, New Age Islam 22 June 2019 Numerous fatwas (edicts) have been issued by ulema (Islamic scholars) across the globe, particularly since 9/11 in a bid to stem the tide of Islamist terrorism. Tens of thousands of ulema have endorsed these fatwas issued by influential institutions of Islamic learning of all sects in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh as well as other parts of the world. When issued, these fatwas inspiredgreat expectations. As perceptive and insightful an observer as Mr. Ziauddin Sardar proclaimed “the beginning of the end of the war of terror” when a hundred thousand Deobandi ulema endorsed a fatwa...

Some Questions to Muslims Who Believe Islam Promotes Pluralism

By Arshad Alam, New Age Islam 03 June 2019 India is a multi-religious and multi-cultural society. It is one of the greatest strengths of the country, that despite attempts to homogenise its religio-cultural standards, the country still remains diverse and plural. Attempts to homogenise have come from both sides: from the side of secularists who have historically tried to promote a single ‘rational and scientific’ standard by belittling the diverse religious traditions of the country; and from right wing religious organizations who have sought to argue that their reading of a particular religious tradition should be the only standard. India is a shining...

What Is The Islamic Ruling About Those Who Cooperate With ISIS And Other Terror Outfits Committing Sins and Transgression?

By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 10 June 2019 Cooperating with ISIS or any other “Islamist” terror outfits is forbidden and an act of severe oppression. The reason is that such outfits are committing sins of transgression whereas Almighty Allah says in the Quran, “And Cooperate in righteousness (birr) and piety (Taqwa), but do not cooperate in sin (Ithm) and transgression (‘Udwan). And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty (5:2)”. In this Quranic verse, Almighty Allah commands Muslims to cooperate with one another in righteousness, good deeds and avoiding sins. God Almighty forbids Muslims from helping one another in committing sin...

Adjurations in the Quran

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 11 June 2019 Scholars of Islam have strangely struggled with explaining the adjurations in the Quran when these offer them the opportunity to show their skills of interpretation and understanding of metaphors and of poetic allusions. Some have even wondered “what does Allah mean by swearing by something that is inferior to Him?”!  Others are clearly embarrassed by Allah swearing so often because a man who swears often is looked down upon. The scholars have struggled with the following thoughts: The Qur’ān says: “Do not yield to any mean oath-monger.” (Q 68:10) This verse implies that swearing an oath is condemnable....

Islamic Teachings of Mercy, Kindness and Compassion towards All Creations of Allah

By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 13 June 2019 There are certainly war-related rulings in the Quran and Ahadith, but they are contextual and relevant only for preventing oppression, curbing religious persecutions and gaining religious rights. It will be injustice for any “Islamist or Jihadist groups” to apply them to a pluralistic country, especially India, where people of different religions coexist with all their respective religious freedom and civil rights. Moreover, Indian Constitution also guarantees security from religious persecutions; it will be unfair for anyone to take the law in their own hands to punish the persecutors or go to...

As Scriptures Can Be A Source of Moral Instruction and Spiritual Growth, So Too Can ‘Everyday’ Experiences—Our Own As Well As Others

By Roshan Shah, New Age Islam 20 June 2019 Name of the Book: The Moral Vision Author: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Published by: Goodword Books, Noida (www.goodwordbooks.com) Year: 2018 ISBN: 81-87570-01-6 Pages: 206 Almost a century old, New Delhi-based Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is a prolific spiritual teacher and writer. Author of several dozen books and head of the Centre for Peace and Spirituality, Khan is one of the most widely-known present-day Islamic scholars, not just in India but globally, too. This delightful book is a collection of more than 100 short essays (mostly of single page length) by Khan, each of which highlights one or more moral value and indicates the importance of ethics as the basis of a truly...

The Concept of Human Equality in Islam Can Develop Pluralism

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 21 June 2019 Men and women are equally created in their basic humanity. Discrimination on the basis of gender, colour, lineage, class, race, or language is strongly prohibited in Islam. Equality does not mean that all are completely alike since there is no denial about natural differences. The two genders complete and complement each other. Allah says in the Quran, “O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.” (4:1) In another verse, He Almighty says, "O mankind,...

What Does Taqwa Mean?

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 18 June 2019 Strangely, I find Islamic scholars struggling to give the meaning of Taqwa although; the Quran gives the meaning directly as follows: ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ (2:2) This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to the Muttaqin. The above verses says that the Quran is a Book of certain guidance for the Muttaqin and the verse below says that whoever listens to the Word or command of Allah, and then follows the command in the best possible manner, are the ones whom Allah has guided, or in other words these people are the Muttaqin. الَّذِينَ...