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Notes on Methodology of Islamic Thought Taught by Shaykh Jamal ad-Din Zarabozo (Hafidhahullah) Notes taken from Knowledge International University Total number of Sessions: 13 Elluminate sessions of each 1 hr 20 mins Version: 2.0 / Last updated Date: 13-June-2013 Concerns/suggestions to er.umarshariff@gmail.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: KNOWLEDGE .................................................................................................................................. 4 BLESSINGS OF KNOWLEDGE .................................................................................................................................................. 4 WHAT IS THE KNOWLEDGE WE ARE REFERRING TO? ....................................................................................................... 5 CURRENT SITUATION ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 HOW TO SOLVE COMMUNITY ISSUES? .................................................................................................................................. 7 CHAPTER 2: SOURCES OF THE RELIGION ...................................................................................................... 8 IDENTIFY THE SOURCES ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Quraan .........................................................................................................................................................................................8
How can we turn to Quraan? .............................................................................................................................................................................. 9

WHAT LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE QURAAN AND SUNNAH CONVEY TO US? ....................................................................... 9 Qatee and Thannee .................................................................................................................................................................9 Daroori and Nadari ............................................................................................................................................................. 10 Thann ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Thann ar Rajeeh (proponents of evidence) ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Thann al Marjooh (Proponents of evidence points against) .............................................................................................................. 10

Shak ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Al Wahm.................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Level of Quraan..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Level of Hadeeth .................................................................................................................................................................... 11 When do we classify?........................................................................................................................................................... 11 How Madhab deal with this kind of Knowledge? ................................................................................................... 11 Mutawattir............................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Saheeh al Bukhari and Saheeh al Muslim ................................................................................................................. 12 Ahad Hadeeth ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Opinion #1: Some Scholars say Ahad Hadeeth are Thanee so it cannot be used for knowledge i.e., both in Aqeedah and Fiqh ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Opinion #2: Ahad hadeeth are Thann and it can be used in Fiqh but not in Aqeedah. ......................................................... 13 Opinion #3: Ahad Hadeeth produces Thann but that Thann is strong enough to be used in both Aqeedah and Fiqh ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Opinion #4: Ahad Hadeeth produces Ilm and certainty. Therefore, it can be used in matters of Aqeedah and Fiqh .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Hasan Hadeeth....................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Weak Hadeeth ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14 IJMAA (CONSENSUS) ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 AL AQL (HUMAN REASONING) ........................................................................................................................................... 15 What takes precedence: Al Aql or Naql (Revelation)?......................................................................................... 16 Fact vs Theory ........................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Human Rights Theory ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Role of Al Aql ........................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Western and Muslim History with respect to Aql .................................................................................................. 18 AL FITRAH .............................................................................................................................................................................. 18 DREAM AND AL KASHF ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 CHAPTER 3: HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE SOURCES?............................................................................. 20 PRINCIPLES IN USING QURAAN AND SUNNAH ................................................................................................................. 20 UNDERSTANDING OF THE SALAF ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Allaahs Religion is complete ........................................................................................................................................... 20 Understanding of the Companions ............................................................................................................................... 21

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What make Companions Unique? ................................................................................................................................................................... 22

TAWEEL ................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 Daahiris with Taweel ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Taweel in Aqeedah .............................................................................................................................................................. 23 Types of Taweel .................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Taweel as-Saheeh (Sound Taweel) .............................................................................................................................................................. 24 Taweel al Faasid or Taweel Muatadar or Taweel al Baeed (Incorrect/Excused/Far fetched Taweel) .................. 24 Taweel Baatil/Mardood (False Taweel) .................................................................................................................................................... 24 IJTIHAAD ................................................................................................................................................................................. 24

Is it permissible to make Ijtihaad when there is text from Quraan and Sunnah on that particular issue?........................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Is Ijtihaad exists today?...................................................................................................................................................... 25 Is it correct Fatwaa should change according to time and place? ................................................................ 25 MASLAHAA ............................................................................................................................................................................. 25 Conformed Maslaha............................................................................................................................................................. 25 Rejected Maslaha .................................................................................................................................................................. 25 Maslaha Mursalah................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Who defines Maslaha? ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 TAJDEED ................................................................................................................................................................................. 26 CHAPTER 4: MOVEMENTS AFFECTING MUSLIMS .................................................................................... 28 TYPES OF MOVEMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 28 Movements affecting concerned Muslims.................................................................................................................. 28 Movements affecting Muslims who are not concerned ....................................................................................... 28 MODERNIST MOVEMENT ..................................................................................................................................................... 28 What is modernism? ............................................................................................................................................................ 29 Three possibilities for the Muslims decadence ....................................................................................................... 29
Traditional Approach............................................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Salafi Movement ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Modernist Movement............................................................................................................................................................................................ 30 PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT .................................................................................................................................................. 32

Amina Wadud ......................................................................................................................................................................... 33 Omid Safi ................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Khaled Abou El Fadl ............................................................................................................................................................ 34 Farid Esack .............................................................................................................................................................................. 35 Ibrahim Musaa ....................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Haddathineen ......................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Muhammad Arkoun............................................................................................................................................................. 35 Progressive Groups .............................................................................................................................................................. 36 An Nahlaa................................................................................................................................................................................. 36 Some more Progressives .................................................................................................................................................... 36

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Chapter 1: Knowledge
Blessings of Knowledge
1 2 3 4 Islam's view s towards the Knowledge is very commendable that helped Muslims to contribute more in science We will see relationship between taqwaa and outlook at natural sciences Allaah taught us the duaa Rabbi zidni ilmaa to increase in knowledge In the ayah rabbana aatinaaa. a b 5 Good of this world is said to be ilm and worship Sufyan ath thawree said it is referring to knowledge and Rizq

The ayah 35:28 says that ulemas are those who truly fear allaah a b c Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge. (Quraan 35:28) Here Ulema doesn't refer to PhDs or Mowlanas and so on. Many may not have those titles but they will be from the Ulema These people have knowlegde of Allaah and live according to it

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Allaah will exalt those who have knowledge Prophet told Best among you are who learns the Quraan and teaches it to others Prophet told He who treads a path in search of knowledge, Allaah will direct him to tread a path from the paths of Paradise. The angels lower their wings for the student of knowledge in approval of what he does. All in the heavens and the earth and the fish in the depth of the water seek forgiveness for the scholar, and the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the full moon at night over the rest of the stars. Verily, the Prophets did not bequeath deenars or dirhams. All they left behind was knowledge, so whoever takes it, has indeed acquired a huge fortune. [Al-Musnad, 5/196. Also related by Aboo Daawood, 3/317; at-Tirmidhee 5/49; Ibn Maajah 1/81, ad-Daarimee, 1/98 and ibn Hibbaan, 1/152 (alIhsaan). It was declared saheeh by al-Albaanee; see Saheeh al-Jaami 5/302] When seeking knowledge we have to take care of intentions well as knowledge may bring you status, fame, money and so on

10 With knowledge we will have clear vision of things instead of being obscure

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11 When you have knowledge of Jannah and Naaar, you will fear allaah more that helps your path to Jannaah 12 Prophet told excellence of learned over layman is like prophet over least of Sahabahs 13 Fish in the deep seeks forgiveness for student of knowledge 14 Steps of knowledge a b c Seek it Practice it Preach it

15 Ultimate goal to take this knowledge is to take it to hearts of the people 16 Prophet told The world is cursed, that which is in it is cursed, except thikr of Allah and what follows it, or a learned person, or a student [Ibn Maajah] 17 The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Seeking knowledge is obligatory (Fard) upon every Muslim. [Ibn Maajah] 18 Prophet told If Allah wants to do good for someone, He grants him comprehension (understanding) of this religion [Bukhaaree (9/415) | Muslim (1037)] 19 If you do not deem knowledge to be sought with Effort, money and time, then do not expect knowledge 20 If you want knowledge to be blessed, make sure the way you get it is halal and blessed 21 Act of seeking knowledge by itself is an Ibaadah

What is the Knowledge we are referring to?

1. Allaah has given secular knowledge to both Muslims and non Muslims. The difference it makes for Muslims is that we can understand this world and beyond i.e., hereafter 2. Knowledge that increases fear Quraan 35:28 3. Quraan 53:29-30 4. Through this knowledge, you learn correct Islamic belief about Allaah a. Allaah called Mushrikoon to be najis 5. With this knowledge, You will be able to recognize a. Righteous deeds

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b. Halal over haram c. Best thing in given situation d. For example, Praying Ishaa late (voluntary deed) may not suit you as it may lead you to miss the Fajr and so on. So you do the deed accordingly 6. Ibn al Jawzee said The best leeway in which Satan enters into a person is through ignorance 7. Ibn al Jawzee also said Iblees have deceived many worshippers due to their lack of knoweldge 8. All Ibaadah should be properly guided by knowledge 9. Sometimes Shaykh, Leader of the moment i.e., Mala may prevent people from knowledge by saying Take knowledge only from me or it should be only from our Jamah

10. Another way Satan misguides people is through doubts. This occurs due to lack of Yaqeen 11. Prophet said There are two strong likings that cannot be satisfied: Seeking of Knowledge and Seeking of this world

Current Situation
1. Some big Mosque have 1000-2000 people or some have 2-3 Khutbahs due to parking spaces. Still they do not find Khateeb among themselves to give the Khutbah. This is in educated community having 100s of doctors, Engineers and so on 2. These days people pick best students in their community and direct them to become Doctors, Engineers and so on. The last of students were directed to Madrasahs and so on 3. Muslims who send their children to Islamic Schools do not ask How good is your Islaamic Education? rather they ask How good is your formal education? People prepare their children for this world and not for the hereafter. How can they expect good for their hereafter? 4. People normally complain that Khutbah was not inspiring and so on. Why? You made your dull minds to be Imaams instead of making the best of Minds. Intelligence is required to put things really of interest in the real situation 5. How much of time we spend with people of knowledge? Then how we are going to learn manners and so on 6. Look at Industry of Islamic finance, they have Shareeah supervisory boards to make sure everything is Shareeah compatible. There are only 40-45 Scholars in those boards. How these less number are going to verify with 1000s of companies in the same institution. We are stuck up because we have handful of them

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7. People are looking for Quick answers rather than understanding it. 8. The problem of care taker of masjid controlling the khateeb is due to weakness of knowledge on the part of former. If everyone is knowledgable we can have khateeb, Board of trustees and others to be knowledgable

How to solve community issues?

1. Wake up the people 2. Explain the ramifications

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Chapter 2: Sources of the Religion

Identify the Sources
1. Sources should be known to understand where the knowledge lies. 2. Many things are happening to divert Muslims from the right sources like Orientalism, Media and so on 3. Masses of Muslims are confused in this area 4. We have to identify the sources and understand the relationship between each of them 5. We have to understand the proper methodology of using those sources 6. We should not have any bias/desire in terms of identifying the sources rather we should look for Haqq. This is why Tazkiyyah is part of the process a. Once a picture of white man stealing a black man was shown for a moment and the question was asked Was it a black man stealing a white man or the vice versa? Most of them answered that black man stealing a white man. Thats bias 7. We should understand we are not working for any Madhab/group rather we want to follow the truth 8. Real Taqwaa leads people to go out of their madhab, when it is incorrect, and follow the truth Quraan 1. (Quraan 2:118-120) 2. Once we receive the revelation we have no excuse to turn away due to our desires 3. If you follow your desire, do not expect Allaah to be supporter 4. True knowledge is from revelation of Allaah 5. Ibn al Wazeer written a book The Approach of Quraan is Superior to the approach of Greek Philosophy. This is not a book of Dawah for non Muslims rather he wrote this book to refute Muslims who turned away from Quraan to other supposed sources of Knowledge www.umarshariff.dawahdesk.com Page | 8

6. Some among the Muslims even debated whether Quraan can be used as source of Aqeedah, Knowledge and so on 7. If we say those Muslims were from Ahlul Bidah, then what about todays Muslims who see Democracy, freedom of speech and so on over the Quraan? How can we turn to Quraan? 1. We have to read the Quraan with an open mind i.e., we have to allow the Quraan to tell us what is good and what is bad 2. Muatazilah had preconceived idea that Allaah cannot speak to people like they speak. So, they interpreted the ayah Kallamallahu Moosa takleema.. as Kalamallaha Moosa takleema through another reading which means Moses spoke to Allaah Instead of adjusting themselves and their preconceived notion, they changed what Allaah spoke. By this they are loosing the guidance of Quraan 3. Mufasireen try to tie the Quraan to happenings of their time a. Ibn Kathir spoke about laws of Mongols and talked about Hukm of Allaah b. Quraan is not just talking about Banu Israeel, Munafiqoon and so on. He is talking about you c. You have to take the message and do not say it is only for such and such tribe and so on

What level of knowledge Quraan and Sunnah convey to us?

Qatee and Thannee 1. You can define certain information as Qatee (Definitive) and Thannee (Conjectural/Speculative) 2. There can be Qatee as Saboot (Definitively conformed) and Thanee as Saboot (it is conformed in terms of authenticity but knowledge is speculative) 3. There can be Qatee ad dalalah (Definite in terms of meaning and indication) and Thanee ad dalalah (statement is open to interpretation)

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Daroori and Nadari 1. Ilm al Yaqeen ad-Daroori This is the knowledge that is known to everyone. If one is not aware, he is to be blamed 2. Ilm al Yaqeen an-Nadari This is the essential knowledge but requires some effort from the seeker a. Things which are Ijmaa among the scholars is not known to layman as it is known to the Scholars b. Above two are Qatee Thann It means doubt, conjecture but it has other meanings as well Thann ar Rajeeh (proponents of evidence) 1. If you want to convict some one of murder, you have to prove beyond any doubt. The conclusion has to be Qatee 2. If you take a person to civil court, the way you have to prove is lesser than previous case 3. This is used as an evidence in Fiqh Thann al Marjooh (Proponents of evidence points against) 1. Eg.: Thann al Marjooh is like Abu Haneefa saying witr is Wajib (weaker opinion) and Stronger opinion is Thann ar-Rajeeh

Shak 1. Shak is when you have two possibilities and you cannot say which one is correct 2. Can you use Shak as evidence in Fiqh? No. Only time you invoke Shak is you want to do thing just to be on safer side 3. Eg.: Whether Niqaab is wajib or not? These people are on Shak so they wear it just to be on safe side (lihtiyat)

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Al Wahm It is something that can be proven to be wrong Level of Quraan 1. All the Scholars agree Quraan is Qatee as Saboot in transmission 2. As for speech of the Quraan, it can be Qatee ad-Dalalah (eg.: Surah Ahad) or Thanee ad-Dalalah (eg.: Surah Nisa, 4:22 end) Level of Hadeeth 1. As for transmission of hadeeth, it can be Qatee as Saboot or Thanee as Saboot 2. As for text of Hadeeth, it can be Qatee ad-Dalalah or Thanee ad-Dalalah When do we classify? 1. These ranks come into play only when there is conflict between text 2. If things are definitive, Muslim cannot deny it. There are something that may not be definitive but still considered to be knowledge How Madhab deal with this kind of Knowledge? 1. These terms are not dependent on Madhab. At times, they differ on what falls where 2. Hanafees say general text is Qatee ad-Dalalah. Non Hanafees consider text to be Thanee ad-Dalalah 3. If you say general text is Qatee, then you cannot particularize (Tahsees) general text unless other piece of evidence is Qatee as-Saboot and Qatee ad-Dalalah. Thats why Hanafees do not accept Tahsees in many occasions 4. If text are not of same strength, you cannot particularize or work with other texts 5. Hanafees treat Tamneenah (resting in prayer) in hadeeth cannot be added to ruling of Quraan on rukoo and Sujood as Quraan is Qatee saboot and Qatee ad-Dalalah and what you bring is Thanee as-Saboot Mutawattir 1. As for hadeeth, Hadeeth Mutawattir are Qatee ad Dalalah. Hadeeth which are less than Mutawattir and Saheeh are either Qatee as-Saboot or Thanee as Saboot

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2. If a person says I think Zayd killed so and so Even if number of people says it, it will not become Mutawattir as it is only perception. Same goes to Christian belief of Crucifixion 3. Ibn Taymeah says there is no minimum number to declare something as Mutawattir. Quality of narrator will provide certainty in the matter. 4. Number of narrator, Quality of narration, Characteristics of narrator will make a Hadeeth as Mutawattir (Definitive knowledge) Saheeh al Bukhari and Saheeh al Muslim 1. When Imam Bukhari was compiling his Saheeh, there was a great deal of opposition on what he was doing because people argued such work was not done during the time of Companions. 2. Some were afraid layman may think what is available in Bukhari alone is Authentic 3. Imam Bukhari many times said I am not compiling all authentic hadeeth 4. Sometimes Imam Bukhari did not choose best chain because he wanted to demonstrate this chain came through this individual and for some other reasons 5. In body of chapter you will find complete chain and title may have Muallaqat 6. Imam Daraqutnee criticized the way Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim compiled the hadeeth. He said why cant Imam Bukhari chose this chain. Perhaps, Imam Daraqutnee did not understood the approach of Bukhari 7. Criticisms were raised on Bukhari and Muslims and they were answered. After each time, these two books were coming stronger than before. After this process, all Muhadeeth agreed these hadeeth are Saheeh. Only few hadeeth were criticized 8. Hadeeth of Saheehyn1 did not become Mutawattir because of sheer number but due to the quality 9. As for Transmission of Saheehyn, it is Qatee as-saboot

To study Uloom al Hadeeth, refer to Muqadimah of Ibn as-Salah and Ph.D dissertation of Jonathan Brown
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Ahad Hadeeth Opinion #1: Some Scholars say Ahad Hadeeth are Thanee so it cannot be used for knowledge i.e., both in Aqeedah and Fiqh This is the view of Muatazilah and Ashaari. It is a dominant view with group of Bidah Opinion #2: Ahad hadeeth are Thann and it can be used in Fiqh but not in Aqeedah. 1. This actually started from Muatazilah 2. Some of the ramification is that they do not believe in Aadab al Qabr but they seek protection for it as it can be used in Fiqh. They denied in Aqeedah but believed in Fiqh 3. Some Claim there is Ijmaa on this point Opinion #3: Ahad Hadeeth produces Thann but that Thann is strong enough to be used in both Aqeedah and Fiqh 1. They quote Imam an Nawawi and Ibn Abdul Barr agree with them in their opinion 2. This is probably the view of majority of Muhadeeth Opinion #4: Ahad Hadeeth produces Ilm and certainty. Therefore, it can be used in matters of Aqeedah and Fiqh 1. If you have hadeeth of Prophet, key is not the number of narrators rather key is as long as you are satisfied with the way it reached, you should believe in it and act accordingly 2. This is the opinion of 4 Imams 3. These days, the Majority of Shafiee and Maalikee follow Asharee Aqeedah and the Majority of Hanafee follow Maturidi Aqeedah 4. If Ahad Hadeeth cannot produce knowledge, how can one accept human reasoning and produce knowledge? 5. Behind every science, there is philosophy. If Ahad hadeeth are not definitive, then all of them can be rejected 6. Ibn al Qayyim mentions 20 pieces of evidence in Sawaq al Mursalah to prove it is mandatory to believe in Ahad hadeeth 7. Companions changed their Qiblah when one individual narrated the change of Qiblah www.umarshariff.dawahdesk.com Page | 13

8. Something less than Mutawattir can be knowledge for us. It depends upon how it reaches you 9. Scholars of hadeeth accepted Ahad hadeeth to be Saheeh after passing it through stringent criteria 10. Rejecting Ahad hadeeth comes mostly from Usool al Fiqh scholars not from Muhadeeth. Hadeeth Scholars know better than Fiqh Scholars about the hadeeth Hasan Hadeeth 1. This is lesser than Saheeh (i.e., Hasan li Dhatihi) 2. Hasan li Ghayrihi These are originally Weak hadeeth which are elevated to Hasan due to corroborating evidences 3. These hadeeth can be used in Aqeedah and Fiqh as they produce knowledge 4. Very difficult to distinguish between Hasan li Ghayrihi and Weak hadeeth Weak Hadeeth 1. They do not meet qualification to believe in them, accept them and use it as Knowledge

Ijmaa (consensus)
1. Quraan 4:115 2. Prophet said There will be a group in my victorious upon the truth always 3. Imam Ahmad said There are lot of people claim Ijmaa when there is no actual Ijmaa 4. Sometimes when a scholar means Ijmaa, he may mean Ijmaa of Madhab 5. Yes, Ijmaa is complicated to exist but it existed and exits 6. Many things were Ijmaa: Obligation of Salah, Zakah, believing in Messengers and so on 7. These are basic foundations of Knowledge

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Al Aql (Human Reasoning)

1. Muslim recognizes that he has to turn to revelation to have knowledge of certain things, as there are many things we cannot experience or see. Beyond these primary sources, there are secondary sources like Aql (Human Reasoning) 2. Place of Aql: Brain or Heart? a. There are number of evidences pointing to heart (Quraan 47:24) b. Brain mixes with heart in feeling and so on c. There is something called cell memory. After heart transplantation, patient carves certain food of the donor 3. Al Aql is not wisdom where wisdom is small part of human intelligence 4. Shareeah recognizes Aql. If someone is insane i.e., not having aql, he has no religious obligation like Salah and so on. Shareeah gives proper place for Aql without belittling it 5. Allaah says some people are in hell because of not using the Aql

They will say," Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, ' Allah has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error.' " (Quraan 67:10) We see the phrase Do you not then reflect? repeated in several places in the Quraan

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6. We can see how much of Aql is being used in fun and entertainment like video games and so on but at the same time they dont exert same effort to understand Allaahs speech and revelation 7. Ibn Abbas said one of the bounties Allah gave us is to understand his speech which many people are not understanding it 8. Scholars said Our Deen is based on Hujjah and Burhan and Burhan means Aql2 9. Every messenger was given miracles and not all were Aql related. Prophet Muhammad was given Quraan as a miracle and it is related to Aql

10. There are some Sufis, some transmitters of hadeeth (not Ahlul Hadeeth), completely downplayed the Aql and said Aql has no place in the religion What takes precedence: Al Aql or Naql (Revelation)? 1. It depends upon the case in hand 2. All the revelation comes from Allaah and law of Cosmos, where we live in also comes from Allah, so no way these two can contradict 3. If there seems to be some apparent contradiction, then either of what you derive from Aql or Naql is not definitive and both cannot be definitive simultaneously when contradict each other 4. If what you derived from Naql is definitive (Qatee), then Naql takes precedence over Aql

Refer: Orthodox corruption of scriptures Page | 16

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5. If what you derived from Naql is not definitive (Thannee) i.e., not direct, clear evidence and what you conclude from Aql is Qatee, then Aql takes precedence over Naql 6. If something is from Ghayb, then it is not a realm for Aql

Fact vs Theory 1. When it comes to human knowledge, there are facts (established to be true) and Theory (not disproven yet) 2. In our history, there were certain groups arrived at certain conclusions based upon Al Aql and rejected so many hadeeth because of it 3. Ibn Taymeah wrote 9 volume book on this topic due to lot of deviance in our history Human Rights Theory 1. Muslims are jumping on the paradigm Human rights, Liberal Democracy and so on over the Quraan and Sunnah 2. Can anyone prove humans have rights scientifically? We cannot prove, as it is not scientific evidence. Human rights comes from religious perspective 3. Even western scholars differed over human rights when it was constituted in 1946 4. Sexual freedom, freedom of speech can be human right? 5. We cannot have definitive arguments for human rights Role of Al Aql 1. One of the important way of studying the Revelation of Allah and creations of Allaah 2. Making our Life easier through technology and innovation 3. Key to Ijtihaad 4. Key to understand the societal laws 5. Key means of reflection

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Western and Muslim History with respect to Aql 1. In Europe, Church was in charge of everything including knowledge, Science during Christendom 2. Later, When Scientific revolution started there was conflict between Christianity and Science 3. This led to burning books of science and killing Scientists 4. People believed what happened in Christian history is same as with other Religions 5. However, our history is totally unique and different where Reasoning was given due place 6. Jews were the first to give precedence to Aql over Naql through their story that Rabbai and God had a dispute and final outcome was Rabbais were correct 7. In Judaic Christian belief, tree forbidden to Aadam was Tree of Knowledge

Al Fitrah
1. The way we think in Islam starts with Aqeedah and way we apply rules is based upon Usool al Fiqh, so we see overlapping. All these sciences work together 2. Al Fitrah is defined as natural disposition or natural inclination with which Allaah created the human beings 3. So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the

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creation of Allah . That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. (Quraan 30:30) 4. Prophet also told Every child is born in Deenul Fitrah 5. Every person is born with natural instinctive belief that God exists which we can see through out the human history. First time, people denied God only in modern history 6. When people are in despair, they yell out to God even if they do not believe in God 7. When they speak about God, they look up 8. Recently Scientists found cognitive information about God in DNA 9. Ibn Taymeah uses the concept Al-Fitrah as secondary evidence. He will say this aspect of belief is established through Quraan, Sunnah and then through Human Fitrah

Dream and Al Kashf

1. Certain groups uses Dreams/Al Kashf (unveiling) as sources of knowledge but they were not conformed by Shareeah 2. Some people use Kashf to grade the hadeeth whether it is authentic or not

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Chapter 3: How to understand the Sources?

Principles in using Quraan and Sunnah
We have to identify the database and then we have to know how to use the database. We have identified the database to be Quraan, Sunnah, Ijmaa, Aql, and Fitrah 1. We have to believe in all of the texts of Quraan and Sunnah 2. We have to understand Quraan and Sunnah covers all the fundamentals of the religions 3. There is no Naskh (abrogation) when it comes to fundamentals of the religion i.e., Statement of Facts. For eg.: Prophet says Allaah is Ar-Rahman and it cannot be later abrogated 4. Any disputes we have should be taken to Quraan and Sunnah 5. There is no contradiction between Quraan and Sunnah 6. There is no contradiction between sound Aql and sound Naql 7. Dahir (Literal) meaning is the meaning given by the Shareeah. You cannot go to other meaning unless you have proof for that 8. We have to respect the understanding of the text by the Salaf

Understanding of the Salaf

Allaahs Religion is complete 1. There is only one true Islaam i.e., way of Allaah and His Messenger 2. Quraan 3:19 www.umarshariff.dawahdesk.com Page | 20

3. The word Akmal means to complete and to perfect 4. When something is completed and perfected, if you add something to it you will make it worse. If you remove or alter anything, you are damaging it 5. Prophet explained what will bring us closer to Jannah and what will protect us from hell fire 6. We ask Allaah to guide us to the straight path (Quraan 1:5) 7. Prophet drew a straight line and drew some squiggly lines. He said Straight path is Allahs path and other paths are paths of Satan 8. Today, Non Muslims are saying Islam is not one-way as they see Modernists, Fundamentalists and so on. According to RAND report, they want to friend with certain type of Islam, which goes well with them 9. If we have dispute, we have to take it to Allaah and His Messenger (Quraan 4:59) Understanding of the Companions 1. Prophet said: Those who live longer will see lot of difference of opinions. Follow my way and follow the way of Mahdieena Khulafaa Rashideen 2. Mahdieena Khulafaa Rashideen dont mean 4 caliphs alone. It means companions in general 3. During the time of Prophet, the word Khulafa meant successors. The word Khaleefah was first given to Abu bakr after the Prophet

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4. The way of Companions means the way of their understanding 5. Prophet said: I have left you upon something which is clear: Its night is like its day. The only one who goes astray from it is the one who is destroyed 6. Allaah is pleased with Sahaabah 7. Understanding of the Companions is the part of our source of Knowledge What make Companions Unique? 1. Revelation was in Arabic language. If you want to get to depth of Quraan and beauty of it, you need to know the Arabic language. The only language that has been preserved as it was is Arabic. Quraan was revealed in Arabic language of the companions 2. Companions experienced the Revelation which was sent upon them 3. They learned the Quraan from Prophet directly and the Prophet approved their understanding. So it is continuation of the Prophet 4. This puts the companions in different position in their place to Quraan and Sunnah

Taweel
1. Quraan is clear text (Mubeen) and Prophets speech was clear 2. In Every language, when an individual speak we can divide the speech into aspects a. Literal Meaning b. Figurative Meaning c. The word Asad means Lion (literal meaning) and It can also be used for Brave man like The Lion entered the Room (Figurative meaning) 3. The Goal of Tafseer is to explain important words

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4. Dahir (Literal) meaning is the meaning given by the Shareeah. You cannot go to other meaning unless you have proof for that. When you have proof for it to shift to non apparent meaning is Taweel 5. There are different ways to do Taweel like Particularizing the Text (eg:. We know Saariq means every Thief and we particularized it to be theft of more than a quarter Dinaar) 6. Idea of Taweel is not wrong when there is need to make Taweel. In Aqeedah, we dont make Taweel often like deviants make Taweel in Asmaa wa sifat and so on Daahiris with Taweel 1. The only ones who rejected Taweel in history were Daahiris like Ibn Hazm (rahimmahullah) 2. It is strange Ibn Hazm doesnt apply Taweel in Fiqh and he makes Taweel when it comes to Aqeedah 3. Hadeeth says One cannot urinate in stagnant water Ibn Hazm takes hadeeth literally and says that it is perfectly alright to urinate in ball, throw it in stagnant water and make wudoo from it Taweel in Aqeedah 1. Prophet told: Alcoholic will not enter Jannah 2. It means Alcoholic cannot enter Jannah at all. But we know anyone who has atoms weight of Lailaha illa Allaah will enter Jannah 3. Scholars made Taweel that Alcoholic will not enter Jannah when every body else first enters Jannah

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4. In Sharh in Aqeedah at-Tahawiyyah, We do not mean we abandon everything we can call Taweel. We will abandon the Daahir meaning of the text when there is stronger evidence from Quraan and Sunnah. We reject Taweel which goes against the Salaf 5. We may make Taweel in Aqeedah when there is a need

Types of Taweel Taweel as-Saheeh (Sound Taweel) 1. It meets all of the conditions of Taweel 2. It happens in Fiqh, Aqeedah, Tafseer Taweel al Faasid or Taweel Muatadar or Taweel al Baeed (Incorrect/Excused/Far fetched Taweel) 1. When there is really no need to make Taweel and Taweel is made considering something as evidence 2. When a Mujtahid makes a Taweel with good intention but he is incorrect, so it is also called as Excused Taweel Taweel Baatil/Mardood (False Taweel) Someone contradicting something without any evidence

Ijtihaad
1. People make lot of mistakes when it comes to Ijtihaad Is it permissible to make Ijtihaad when there is text from Quraan and Sunnah on that particular issue? 1. There is no Ijtihaad in the face of the text (La Ijtihaad maan Nass) 2. We make Ijtihaad when there is no text to give the ruling www.umarshariff.dawahdesk.com Page | 24

3. Here the Nass means definitive text 4. Eg.: Prohibition of Ribaa is definitive, so it is not the matter of Ijtihaad. We cannot open the door of Ijtihaad to review whether Ribaa should be prohibited or not 5. Asking Is this particular thing Ribaa or not? i.e., whether the text covers the particular case or not? Something like this, we can make Ijtihaad

Is Ijtihaad exists today? 1. Ijtihaad is absolute necessity in new situations 2. We need Mujtahideen to make Ijtihaad Is it correct Fatwaa should change according to time and place? 1. It depends 2. If Fatwaa or any ruling based on clear texts of Quraan and Sunnah, then such Fatwaa will not change 3. If Fatwaa is based on circumstance, this Fatwaa is subject to change as per time and place 4. Change in ruling of Smoking is haram is not due to circumstance rather it is due to addition of new information

Maslahaa
1. Goal of the Shareeah is Maslaha i.e., To maximize benefit and repel harm 2. This concept can be easily abused Conformed Maslaha 1. Maslaha that is affirmed by Shareeah Rejected Maslaha 1. These are Maslaha rejected by the Shareeah

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2. Harm of it is more than the benefit 3. Eg.: Alcohol 4. People say having cup of wine is good for heart and it may be even true. But people might not know how much it affects the liver Maslaha Mursalah 1. There is neither affirmation nor rejection from Shareeah 2. Refer about this more in Maqasid ash-Shareeah course Who defines Maslaha? 1. It is Shareeah, which defines Maslaha for us. Humans may think certain thing to be Maslaha but they may not be Maslaha 2. We should trust in Allaah and His Shareeah. He will guide us what is actually good and beneficial 3. Allaah says you may hate a thing that is good for you and you may love something that is bad for you

Tajdeed
1. Prophet told Allaah will raise after every 100 years someone as reviver of Islaam 2. People confuse revival with reformation 3. Modernists and RAND call for Reformation like Christian had reformation 4. Tajdeed comes from Arabic word Tajdeedan which means to revive/to renew and To take something which is lost and bring it back to practice

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5. In our history, we have seen Revivers (Mujadeed) like Imam Shafiee who revived Usool al Fiqh through his work Risaalah as his basic point was what was Sahaabas usool in Fiqh when people were straying 6. There are many aspects today where we need Tajdeed like understanding of Shirk and Kufr

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Chapter 4: Movements affecting Muslims

Types of Movements
Movements affecting concerned Muslims 1. Sincere and practicing Muslims were misled by the movements like: 2. Modernist Movements 3. Progressive Movements 4. Liberal Democracy movements 5. Fiqh of Muslim Minority 6. Extremist Movements 7. Study of individual Muslim Thought 8. Heretical groups like Sufi, Shiah, Qaadiyanis

Movements affecting Muslims who are not concerned People who favour Secularism, Globalization

Modernist Movement
1. Gained lot of attention and proponents from both Muslim and non Muslim world 2. One of the main reasons for this movement is lack of Scholarship from the proponents. When people do not have sound Islamic knowledge to respond back, it becomes easier for these movements to spread 3. Eg.: Some of the authentic literatures about Islam had lot of mistakes in grammar, presentation and so on. So Modernist movement presented it professionally attracting the attention of people, especially Reverts

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What is modernism? 1. Any movement that believes reinterpretation of religion is required in the lights of modern philosophy is Modernist movement 2. This idea is not something new to Islaam. This concept existed with Buddhism, Christianity and so on 3. They say science has progressed and everything has progressed, so religion should progress 4. During late part of 20th century, when Muslims were colonized and Europeans were in good position, Modernist started raising 5. They argued we are the ones who have book of Allah but these Europeans are in better position 6. If you read writings of Syed Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Abduh, we can see that they have said Islaam is the superior religion 7. It is important we should be objective about issue in the hand rather than attacking the individuals

Three possibilities for the Muslims decadence 1. They said there are three possibilities for the Muslims decadence. There is something wrong with our understanding of Islaam

Traditional Approach 1. We have Islam that has been passed down, and we will not change anything despite the customs and traditions were faulty. There is no need for re-inspection. www.umarshariff.dawahdesk.com Page | 29

2. There is nothing wrong with Islam, but our approach and understanding of Islam is faulty.

Salafi Movement 1. We have to cut through all of the culture we established as Islaam and go back straight to understanding of Prophet and his companions 2. Jamalud Deen Qasmi who influenced people like Rashid Ridda, Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahab were among the proponents 3. Colonists saw these movements and to curb it, they labeled it as Wahabi movement 4. This is the correct movement

Modernist Movement 1. We have to change our understanding of Islaam as Science has developed. They called reinterpretation of Islam consistent with modern times. 2. It implies they are going to give preference to Aql over Naql in matters 3. Historically, Muatazilah has given preference to Aql over Naql 4. During this period, Caliph Mamoon established Daar al Hikmah where so many science literatures/Greek philosophies were translated. They started believing them to be Knowledge 5. When they took science, they took as lot of matters related to Aqeedah as Greek had lot of philosophies

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6. The Modernist Movement made the same mistake, not separating between scientific progress and the culture of the Western world. They took both the good and bad since that made them the dominant power. 7. These people thought Islam is for knowledge, so they merged these knowledge into Islam causing so many problems

Examples from Some Modernists 1. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was writing about Quraan 84:1 (Surah Inshiqaq), he rejected all the Tafseer of Mufasireen 2. When he was writing about Surah Feel, he commented Tafseers corrupt the meanings by baseless traditions. This calamity is not described in Quraan but clear from the context. We can understand what happened to Army is small pox He rejected it based on Science 3. Number of representatives of this thinking in English language started raising like Muhammad Asad who wrote Message of the Quraan 4. Muhammad Asad mentioned about Ashabul Kahf that they cut themselves from Dunyaa for 309 years and it is not that they slept 5. He referred about Sulaiman as nothing more than cultural reality. If such is the case, then the same can be said regarding belief in hereafter and so on. He said people believed in such stories during the time of Prophet and we dont need such stories now 6. Abdullah Yusuf Ali rejects any miracles in the Quraan, any practice inconsistent with modern times like Ribaa, Hijaab www.umarshariff.dawahdesk.com Page | 31

7. Maurice buccaille had lot of beneficial things but he rejected hadeeth of fly based on Science. However, Dipping of fly into tea was proven scientifically later

Progressive Movement
1. There are people who are speaking about Islam and in the name of Islaam they are spreading their message 2. They have opportunity to confuse many of our Youths 3. When you see Arab spring like what happened in Egypt, many Muslims are thinking in a way different from Quraan and Sunnah 4. Huffington Post had article Progressive Muslims Launch Gay-Friendly, Women-Led Mosques In Attempt To Reform American Islam 3 5. They had translation of Quran called it as Quraan by Reformist Movement a. It says Faqtavu in cut the hands of the thief verse to mean To mark of as public humiliation or to cut the means from stealing through imprisonment b. They Say Bakr means Progressive and Abu Bakr is Father of progressive 6. They mentioned the following as basic principles of their Quraan in their Introduction: a. Non sexist translation b. Rejects the idea of clergy to determine meaning c. Meaning based on language d. Extensive cross referencing to bible and numerous philosophies

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/29/progressive-muslims-launch-gay-friendlywomen-led-mosques_n_1368460.html
3

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7. Common Masses who are regular to Mosques are even affected by these ideas like I dont think we are giving homosexuals the rights they deserve 8. Even Modernist movements are way behind them in this 9. Secular progressive movement looks into things that need radical reform. Judaism and Christianity have progressives. Muslim progressives took their points from these two progressives. If you visit http://progressivechristianity.org/the-8-points/, all the 8 points there are taken by Muslim progressives 10. They believe their Islam is continuation and departure from Modern Islaam

Amina Wadud 1. She was the first woman to lead the Jumuah prayer in New york, US 2. She was American Woman who become Muslim in 1972 3. She done her studies in American Universities and in Egypt 4. She worked in IIUM where she published Qur'an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective 5. She rejects hadeeth when it is convenient she uses forged Hadeeth when she need one 6. She claims Men who laid down the foundations of Islaam never witnessed the revelation and were culturally influenced a. These Scholars might not have witnessed the revelation but they tracked back to Prophets time www.umarshariff.dawahdesk.com Page | 33

b. She is saying they were culturally influenced but she herself as a progressive is influenced by western culture. Strange. 7. When she refers to Allaah, She uses the word She, He, It a. In Arabic language, there are words, which are masculine and feminine. Allah always used masculine reference to himself. At the same time, we dont say Allaah is a Male 8. She goes on to say Hadeeth authenticity are decided by common sense so it can be wrong a. In reality, Ulemaa check the text and isnaad of the hadeeth in deciding it 9. She has influenced Rifaq Hasan who has same kind of teaching 10. She will use false argument like women taking more share in certain inheritance to prove there is no distinction between Men and Women a. When relationship is equal between Men and Women, Men gets more share due to financial responsibility

Omid Safi 1. Assistant Professor at University of North Caroline is a progressive who wrote many books like Progressive Muslims: On Justice, Gender, and Pluralism 2. They take abstract concept of Islam like Justice and discuss it saying homosexuality are from social justice 3. Why do you need Islaam if you want to be progressive? 4. How much their principles go with Quraan?

Khaled Abou El Fadl 1. Professor of Law at the UCLA School www.umarshariff.dawahdesk.com Page | 34

2. He calls himself a Muatazilah 3. He wrote Modern ugly. Ugly modern

Farid Esack 1. He is from Africa 2. He wrote an article In search of progressive Islam after 9/11 3. He tried to prove all the prophets comes from working background so they marginalized aspect

Ibrahim Musaa 1. He has a book and no quraanic verses were quoted in the bok 2. These people call themselves as Progressive muslims and they dont use Quraan at all

Haddathineen 1. Progressives are in KSA as Haddathineen. 2. When they wrote something about Islam, Shaykh Bin Baaz responded immediately. 3. These days we are not having many to respond like the Shaykh Muhammad Arkoun 1. He is from Algeria and spend most of his time in France 2. He wrote Rethinking Islaam 3. He was a regular contributor of Al Jazeera TV 4. He questions the authenticity of the Quraan 5. He says all of things you see in Quraan are references to Myths. This was how people of that time were reached. So we no longer need these myths. We need to see things in Scientific terms

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Progressive Groups 1. They are divided into different groups a. University Professors influenced by western thoughts b. Less academic but influential because of Media c. Submitters International of Rashad Khalifah 2. Another Category a. Post Modernists b. Western Philosophies c. Sufis of various form d. Remnants of Rashad Khaleefah movement

An Nahlaa 1. Gannucis movement in Tunisia 2. Some of his followers are border line modernists

Some more Progressives 1. Nurcholish Madjid a. From Indonesia 2. Harun Nasution a. An Indonesian who described himself as a neo-Mutazilite, a modern follower of the medieval movement of the Mutazila 3. Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd a. He is called as Kaafir because of his extremist view b. He was made to divorce his wife 4. Huseyin Atay a. From Turkey 5. Ahmad Mustafa 6. Irshad Manji a. Canadian Lady www.umarshariff.dawahdesk.com Page | 36

b. Open Lesbian 7. Abdullah Saeed

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