Muhammad

Copyright in Islam

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What is the Islamic ruling on copyright? Some authors and publishers spend a great deal of time painstakingly writing books on Islam, and this for them is obviously a means of rizq. Without their permission low quality versions of the same books are published and mass distributed around the world. Shop keepers sell these books at huge profits, justifying this by saying that it’s cheaper than buying the original versions. Some ‘ulama say all of this is okay because there is “no copyright” in Islam. Please clarify.

The Ijārah Contract

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Ijārah, often translated as hiring or leasing, in Islamic mercantile law refers to the sale of the usufruct of corporeal entities or living beings, both man and animal, for an agreed upon period, in exchange for a known remuneration.

The Pretensions of Postmodernism and the Hadīth of Ummu Waraqah

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The appropriation of the hadith of Umm Waraqah as proof for the permissibility and validity of a woman’s leading salah in Amina Wadud’s recent episode in New York throws up some interesting considerations. Responses have varied. There has been the tendency to question the authenticity of the hadith; another approach looks at the applicability of the hadith to the case in question; while a third approach surveys the views and opinions of the scholars of Islam. While none of these approaches lacks individual merit, it should not be lost to the observer that there is another side to the issue; a side that none of us can afford to lose sight of in the present global climate. The present paper seeks to touch upon each of these various approaches, whilst not omitting to set the issue within the framework of contemporary affairs.

The Muḍarabah Contract – Silent Partnership the Islamic Way

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Muslims believe that Islam is suitable for all times and circumstances. This belief is sanctioned by copious textual evidences from the Holy Qur‘ān as well as a number of traditions of the Prophet, upon him peace and blessings. Furthermore, the success of Islam as a practical way of life, especially apparent in its formative years, has further strengthened this belief.

Murshid al-Qārī – Part 1: Simplifying the rules of Tajweed

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An introductory work on tajweed for the beginner who is at least familiar with the letters of the Arabic alphabet.It presents the essential theory of tajweed in a manner specially adapted for the novice. Theoretical principles are accompanied by real-life examples yet kept at a bare minimum so as to not cause overload.

by Qari Muhammad Saleem Gaibie

Murshid al-Qārī – Part 2: Commentary of the Tuḥfah al-Aṭfal by Jamzuri

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It is aptly named Aysar al-Aqwal, being a simplified English commentary of the Tuḥfah al-Aṭfal by Jamzuri. The Tuḥfah itself is internationally regarded as one of the most authoritative works on the subject of tajweed and consequently studied in all major institutes. Many quraa’ do not allow their students to graduate unless and until they have successfully memorised the text of Tuhfah and shown that they understand it correctly.

by Qari Muhammad Saleem Gaibie

Murshid al-Qārī – Part 3: Commentary of the Jazariyyah

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This is the third part in the Murshid al-Qārī series, a commentary on the famous Muqaddimah al-Jazariyyah of Ibn al-Jazarī. I have tried to keep the discussions very simple and basic so that students and readers may easily comprehend the topics discussed. It is of utmost importance that students gain a solid foundation by first mastering book one and two before endeavoring to study this present work.

by Qari Muhammad Saleem Gaibie

Al-Fatāwā al-Sirājiyyah on the Shāfiʿī Qiblah

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The Shāfiʿī position, of course, is that one should face the actual qiblah (ʿayn al-qiblah), while the Ḥanafīs take the more indulgent position of the general direction of the qiblah (jihat al-qiblah). With the Ḥanafīs having taken a position of greater latitude it becomes difficult to understand why the Shāfiʿī qiblah comes to be described as “wrong”, since one would naturally expect the narrower position to be subsumed within the broader one.

Concerned Muslim

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Concernes about “looking like a Muslim”: While the idea of someone “looking like a Muslim” might sometimes be based upon a perception of the spiritual effulgence of nur on that person’s face, it is also a fact that people often draw conclusions in that regard on grounds much less spiritual, even offensive at times.

An allegation against Imam as-Subki

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The charge leveled against Imâm Taqiyy ad-Dîn as-Subkî is that despite possessing all the requirements for ijtihâd, he did not perform ijtihâd, and preferred to remain within the bounds of his madhhab, since the adoption of independent ijtihâd would preclude him from rising to positions which were reserved for fuqahâ of the madhâhib.