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Watch iMuslim ‘Live’ Tonight, on Divan 2.0 (7.15pm, UK Time)

// May 22nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Blog

I've been invited to be a panellist at a Radical Middle Way event tonight. The subject up for discussion is Islam and the Internetz… so at least I'll be familiar with the subject matter – inshā’Allāh!

I'll be representing MuslimMatters, so please make dua that I don't let the side down, as it'll be my first time doing anything like this (I'm trying to minimize your expectations; remember, blogging and public speaking are two different animals!).

Welcome to Muslim 2.0 – a wired generation whose members would rather pose their tough questions to Shaykh Google than their local Imam and who feel more connected to the Facebook ummah than the congregation at the local mosque. Never has Muslim conversation buzzed with so many divergent, combative and off-the-wall perspectives.

But is more Muslim chatter really better?

Has Web 2.0 democratised Muslim debate, and if so at what cost?

Are we talking to each other or at each other?

With so many blogs, websites and forums to choose from, are we actually engaging with other points of view or are we comfortable staying in our intellectual (and spiritual) ghettos?

Join us for Divan 2.0, as we bring together some of British Islam's most (in)famous bloggers, web pioneers and online warriors for some face-to-face debate. They will be taking your questions in this special “Question Time” style event.

Challenge and be challenged – submit your questions in advance and come ready to jump into fray!

For those who can't make the free event in London, you can watch live via the little video box below. It'll start approx. 7.15pm BST (GMT+1), inshā’Allāh.

What Day Is It Really?

// March 11th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // Blog

Yasir Qadhi's latest entry on MM reminded me of a slightly paranoid question that came to mind a while ago.

Jumu'ah is a significant day for Muslims, as the most important congregational prayer is held on that day, every week. But how do we know that the day we call “Friday” in the Gregorian weekly calendar is the same day that we call “Jumu'ah” in the Islamic calendar? Have Jumu'ah prayers really been held consistently, every seven days, since the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him? It's not like we can check using the Moon, like we do when determining the beginning and end of the Islamic calendar months.

I suppose the same question applies to every day of the week, seeing as Mondays and Thursday have special significance with regards to the practice of ritual, Sunnah fasts.

I can trust that the Arabs have it right, from the point of view of uninterrupted tradition. So when the Gregorian calendar was introduced to the Muslim world, did they simply synch the two systems, noting that Friday was equivalent to Jumu'ah? I guess it wouldn't be very difficult, seeing as both weeks contain seven days. Imagine the chaos otherwise?!

Okay, now I suspect that my question is very silly indeed. :/

Virtopsy: The Non-Invasive Autopsy

// February 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // Blog

The subject of death, and especially autopsy, is a little more macabre than I'm used to dealing with. Even so, I could not resist sharing some information on the matter that I discovered via an unlikely source: my “They Work For You” email alerts. A free, online service that allows users to track UK Parliamentary goings-on, by keyword and/or a manner of other useful filters.

The email linked to a debate regarding an amendment to Clause 15 of the Coroners and Justice Bill, which covers the issue of post-mortem examinations. Muslims (and as it turns out, Jews as well) require the body to be buried as soon as possible after death occurs. In addition, generally speaking, many people have a special sensitivity towards surgical autopsy, as they don't wish the body of the deceased to be 'harmed' in any way.

The debate revealed that Manchester's coroners jurisdiction has been offering MRI-based autopsies for some time, developed in response to the needs of its sizeable Muslim and Jewish communities. Apparently, not only is the procedure non-invasive, but it is also much quicker than the traditional, dissection-based method, as it does not rely on the analysis of biopsies, which can delay the results of a post-mortem for days, or even weeks.

Continue Reading at MuslimMatters.org…

Celebrating the Prophet’s Birthday

// February 23rd, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Blog

Something new that I learnt today, from the lips of Sh. Yasir Qadhi, during an AlMaghrib Q&A session…

It's not actually an innovation to celebrate the Prophet's birthday, sallalahu 'alayhi wa salam. It just depends on the manner in which you do it:

Abu Qatada Ansari (Allāh be pleased with him) reported that Allāh's Messenger (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: “It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.” [Sahih Muslim]

Thus, according to the sheikh, the Prophet actually 'celebrated' his own birthday every week – by fasting Mondays!

So, if you're looking to mark the blessed occasion, that's the Sunnah way to do it. And Allāh knows best.

Amazing!

—

Update (11/03/2009): The sheikh has posted an article regarding the Mawlid on MuslimMatters.org.

Green Week

// February 8th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // Blog

Death for the Living

// January 4th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // Blog

Many would agree that death is a greater problem for the living, than for those who have actually passed on. Muslims find solace in the prayer that their loved ones are at peace, in a “better place”, no longer suffering. This is especially true for those who died in a state of innocence, such as children, and the oppressed.

However, we, the owners of hearts that still beat, are left to grieve, to feel the pain that resides deep in our cores; a wound that opens every time we realize the absence of the ones whom we loved.

(more…)

Islamic Signs Video

// January 1st, 2009 // No Comments » // Blog

The final video in the present series…

Science & Islam on BBC4

// December 31st, 2008 // 10 Comments » // Blog

The first episode of a new three-part documentary on Science and Islam comes out next Monday, 5th January 2009, on BBC4, at 9pm (if you miss it, catch it on BBC iPlayer):

Physicist Jim Al-Khalili travels through Syria, Iran, Tunisia and Spain to tell the story of the great leap in scientific knowledge that took place in the Islamic world between the 8th and 14th centuries.

(more…)

Community Relations Debate

// December 10th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Blog

This short transcript of a debate in the House of Lords, titled, “Community Relations: Muslims” is worth a read. The fact that such a matter is being discussed openly, at high levels, says a lot in itself.

Some highlights:

(more…)

Eid Greetings

// December 8th, 2008 // 9 Comments » // Blog

Another year, another ‘Īd… Ramadan somehow feels just as much a distant memory, as a recently departed event.

I discovered something slightly disturbing today: it costs more to perform the Qurbani in Iraq, than in the UK (£155 vs £95). The first price was taken from the Islamic Relief website, the second from a local London butcher. The cheapest price quoted was for India, just £30. However, the canned meat option for Iraq is cheaper, at £67. Still… quite a shocking price difference.

May Allāh grant our brothers and sisters in Iraq, and all parts of this blue-green Earth, a peaceful ‘Īd, so they may call out the takbeer with true gratitude in their hearts. Āmīn.

A reminder of this awesome group activity:

The morning of ‘Īd-ul Fitr at the Sacred Mosque in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia