In Islamic transactions (muamalat), one of the prerequisites determining the validity of a variety of contracts is the spoken offer and acceptance (aqd) between the two parties involved. Certain quarters, however, are putting excessive emphasis on this to the effect that if aqd is missing or not properly carried out in any given transaction, the…
In the Holy Qur’an there are several occasions where one can find some accounts of Adam’s encounter with man’s nemesis, Iblis. Carefully attending to those accounts with intelligence, sincerity and honesty can surely help Muslims derive useful lessons, insights and reminders not only about human strength and potentials but also human weaknesses and vulnerability. Of such…
Qutb-ud-din B. Abd-ur-Rahim known as Shah Waliullah, a great Muslim scholar of the eighteen-century, laid down a number of moral and ethical foundations that can lead man to the highest human position, that is, the ability to translate justice in his individual and social lives in all sphere of human endeavours. Justice is the fulcrum…
In the context of Sustainable Development which has come to be understood to contain the solution to the many interrelated crises (environmental, social and economic) the world is currently facing, 2012 is a significant year. In June, 20 years after the first UN Conference, the Rio+20 SD Conference will once again be held in Rio.…
According to ibn Khallikan (d. 681 A.H. / 1282 C.E.) in his famous biographical work, Wafayat al-A‛yan wa Anba’ Abna’ al-Zaman, in this month, 900 years ago, departed one of Islam’s most eminent and influential scholars, Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazzali. True to what al-Ghazzali had once reminded, “a man’s second life in this world consists in…
“Three people who are of the wrath of God, which is prone to what is unlawful, people who follow the act of jahilliyah (barbarian) and people kill people without rights” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim). The purpose of Islam came to this world when the world at that time, was in the days of barbarian,…
Muslim thinkers maintain that God, as a Law-giver, does not prescribe anything except for the best interests of humankind. That which is conducive to protect religion, life, property, and dignity will characteristically make man reaches God in the state of prosperity and ultimate Happiness. In the best interest of the condition of their worldly lives,…
Whilst the Muslims were engaging in a long debate whether the expression, “seek knowledge even as far as China” is really the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or hadith, China has already emerged as the second largest economy in the world. Economic experts have made it official early this year that China economy has…
At a time when our country is doing well, the government still should not lost sight of a more fundamental goal, that is, to develop Malaysians into a civil society. The enhancement of human dignity, the establishment of liberty, the eradication of society’s ills, the revitalisation of our heritage and cultural empowerment which reflects intellectual…
To those who are in the least indifferent about language and anything serious about it, the satiric question “Apa ada pada nama?” (What is there in a name?) seems to be the best expression to betray their feelings concerning what they most probably perceive as a useless attempt to make a fuss of language, the…
