Doubtful Matters

The Prophet (SAW) said: That which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters …

Purpose of Punishment

Punishment of any kind is to fulfill one or more of six purposes: 1) restoration, 2) retribution, 3) deterrence, 4) prevention, 5) interception, and 6) reformation. A crime for the purposes of this article is any violation of the rights of people or any violation of morality in general. There are three parties to consider …

Fishy Reasoning: Hanafi Position on Seafood

I begin by praising Allah who created the salty seas, the roaring rivers, and the lustering lakes, then fashioned fish to flourish them, ships to sail them, and people to purpose them. I praise Him for His creation, and I thank Him for His guidance. From the guidance given to us by Allah in His …

Moral Arguments

I begin by praising Allah who distinguished and legislated good from evil and moral from immoral, then gave us a heart to incline us, a book to guide us, and a law to supervise us. However, the sad state of affairs is that many people in this world have only taken the first of God’s …

Meaning and Definition

Origin of Meaning Speech and language are miracles from Allah. Allah says: And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge. Quran 30:22 Speech is a collaboration between two parties: the speaker and …

Dawood (AS) and Chain Mail

Some people claim the Quran says Dawood (AS) invented chain mail armor but this is historically inaccurate. They say chain mail armor was actually invented by the Celts about six centuries after Dawood (AS). Archeology and Its Reliability Archeology as a science depends heavily on the lack of evidence to make conclusions. The notion that …

Tazir: Discretionary Punishment according to Ibn Taymiyyah

Ibn Taymiyyah talks in his book As-Siyasah ash-Shar’iyyah about tazir, its reasons, and its extent. I will provide a non-direct translation of what he says. Sins That Get Tazir Sins that do not have a prescribed hadd punishment or kaffarah for them are given a tazir punishment. Examples of these sins include: A man kissing …

Benefits of Suffering

This article is not strictly concerned with solving the problem of evil (see its own article) but will list some of the many wisdoms Allah may have created suffering. Benefits Related to Faith Makes people recognize the power of Allah Makes them recognize their own weakness Reminds them of death And We will surely test …

Two, Three, or Four: Meaning of Verse 4:3

Allah says in the Quran: And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphans, then marry those that please you of women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you …