all. These byelaws, that are expected to serve as substitutes for religion, must address a range of issues like identifying man’s needs, providing him with a framework to manage his affairs, fulfilling his needs, be it physical, spiritual or economical, etc. These statutes must necessarily have an inherent provision for defending the weak and the [...]

Hazrat Nuh (a.s.) ‘Surely We sent Nuh to his people, saying : Warn your people before there comes upon them a painful chastisement. He said : O my people! Surely I am a plain warner to you that you should serve Allah and be careful of (your duty to) Him and obey Him.’ Nuh (1-3) [...]

In the words of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) "Verily, the government of Ahle Bait (a.s.) shall be established. Then one who aspires to be amongst our helpers and companions must forsake all sins. He must don the mantle of piety and steadfastness. He must strive to scale the summit of good ethics and morals. Then one [...]

Some people often wonder as to why are there differences in the rulings of the religious scholars (Mujtahideen). Which means, why are some minor differences found in the rulings of these scholars for some particular matter, when the rulings are based on four studies – Quran, traditions, consensus amongst scholars and logic. It should not [...]

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) declares, ‘The most degraded of persons is the one who ridicules others.’ (Nahjul Fasaahah, p. 48) This statement of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) reveals that there is no place for narrow-mindedness and prejudice in Islam. While on the one hand, Islam proclaims the Unity of Allah and His Omnipotence, on the other [...]

If we browse through the contents of the Old Testament, the Bible and the Quran, we will find their beliefs, laws, tenets and ideologies at complete variance from each other, notwithstanding the fact that all these are divine scriptures. We find a lot of divergence and discrepancies in their places of worship, their modes of [...]

"Surely Ibrahim was an exemplar, obedient to Allah, upright, and not of the polytheists. He (Ibrahim) was grateful for His (Allah’s) favours; He chose him and guided him on the right path. And We gave him good in this world and in the next he will most surely be among the good." (Nahl : 120-122) [...]

Dr. Zafar: When exactly did the discussion on Mahdi originate? Did it gain currency during the Prophet’s time, or after his demise? Some are of the view that this belief did not exist at all in the beginning of Islam. It became popular only towards the latter half of the first century, when some Muslims [...]

As explained in the previous lesson, there are four broad means by which one can arrive at religious decrees and injunctions (ahkaam). These are i) The Holy Quran, ii) Sunnah iii) Consensus (among scholars) and iv) Intellect. FIRST SOURCE : THE HOLY QURAN The foremost source of deriving and comprehending Islamic practical laws is the [...]

In a world ridden with vices and allurements, one often comes across people who perform good actions, but do not exercise restraint in their sins. With the result, their sins far outweigh their good deeds. And in some extreme cases, their transgressions nullify all their good actions. And despite all their virtuous deeds, they are [...]