A question was once posed by a student through email regarding the issue of wastage, more specifically in regards to wasting water. It was published by our dear friend Hafiz Faraz Abdul Moid on the attalib blog some years ago. I repost it here for your benefit, iA. Question: I had a question, and if you’re not… Continue reading A Short Answer to a Question on Extravagance from the Islamic Perspective
The Question of Fallen Angels and the Nature of Iblīs: Was Satan an Angel or of the Jinn?
Long overdue, I am posting an excerpt on “The Question of Fallen Angels” from the Integrated Encyclopedia of the Qurʾān in response to a relatively amicable debate that occurred during a study circle on the question of the validity of the assertion that Shayṭān wasn’t necessarily an angel but possibly from the Jinn. The argument was… Continue reading The Question of Fallen Angels and the Nature of Iblīs: Was Satan an Angel or of the Jinn?
Madrasat al-Hasanayn Updated Curriculum Years 1-4
After posting an earlier synopsis of the Hasanayn curriculum when I was studying there fifteen years ago, a current student was kind enough to send me an updated version for the first four years of the eight year program. Interestingly enough, when the curriculum was first cooked up, it was designed to be a 12-year… Continue reading Madrasat al-Hasanayn Updated Curriculum Years 1-4
Article: The Western Intellectual and Cultural Challenge and the Responsibilities of the Ulema by Dr. Mahmud Ghazi
I had initially intended to keep this website free of articles that weren’t originally authored. However, seeing as to the rarity of certain articles and their difficulty to find even online, I thought it would be useful on occasion to post important pieces that are of interest to me and that have influenced my work… Continue reading Article: The Western Intellectual and Cultural Challenge and the Responsibilities of the Ulema by Dr. Mahmud Ghazi
Notes: Hakim al-Ummat’s Comments on the Method of Teaching in Madrasahs
Hakīm al-Ummah Mawlānā Ashraf ʿAlī al-Thānawī is known to have proposed some very interesting modifications to the Dars Niẓāmī syllabus as well as a number of condensed versions of the course to meet the divergent needs of the general Muslim populace. Amongst the proposals is his emphasis on exercises and practice questions of the rules and… Continue reading Notes: Hakim al-Ummat’s Comments on the Method of Teaching in Madrasahs
On the Validity of Backbiting in Hadith Criticism
Question: When we talk about a specific narrator being ʿādil (upright), isn’t it backbiting to label someone a liar or a sinner? How is this justified? Answer: In the name of Allah, the All Merciful, the Most Mercy-giving. The act of backbiting (ghībah) as it applies to speaking unfavorably of a person who is not present is… Continue reading On the Validity of Backbiting in Hadith Criticism
How to Study Arabic Morphology (Ṣarf) Based on Mufti Taqi Usmani’s Recommendations
The following recommendations are from Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani’s short treatise on how to study the dars nizāmī. The advice, though aimed at students of the Mīzān al-Ṣarf or ʿIlm al-Ṣīghah, is largely applicable to any beginning student of Arabic morphology. 1) Its absolutely necessary to memorize the conjugation tables. In fact, the conjugations should… Continue reading How to Study Arabic Morphology (Ṣarf) Based on Mufti Taqi Usmani’s Recommendations
Madrasat al-Hasanayn: Further Details on the Curriculum
Year 4: 1. al-Balaghat al-Wadihah/Jawahir al-Balaghah: The first was the primary text that was used this year. Jawahir was only used as a supplement, as it contains certain discussions not in al-Wadihah. A lot more than Balaghah and Adab could have been covered this year. In any case, our teacher gave so much emphasis to… Continue reading Madrasat al-Hasanayn: Further Details on the Curriculum
Consolidating the Divergent Rulings of Imam Abū Ḥanīfah and His Students
Question: When reading the rulings in the book we come by several instances where Imam Muhammad differs from Abu Hanifa. As one who does taqleed, which ruling should we follow? Do we take Imam Muhammad’s ruling or do we take Abu Hanifa’s? Is it acceptable to take either opinion or does one need to consider the… Continue reading Consolidating the Divergent Rulings of Imam Abū Ḥanīfah and His Students
Madrasat al-Hasanayn: Educational Outlook, Curriculum, and Methodology of Instruction
To learn more about Madrasat al-Hasanayn’s method of teaching and its curriculum, here is a brief synopsis of the books/subjects covered each year and how they are taught. Keep in mind that this is how the curriculum looked when I was there around fifteen years ago. There have been significant changes in the curriculum since then.… Continue reading Madrasat al-Hasanayn: Educational Outlook, Curriculum, and Methodology of Instruction
Bilal Ali 