Islamic Revival

The following is an extract from the draft translation of the arabic book entitled 'Dawa ilal Islam' (Dawa to Islam) by Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud, published by Al-Waie Publications in Lebanon. I will be posting the sections of the book related to this subject. Methods contrary to the Shar’ee method As compared with what we have mentioned about the method of the Messenger (saw) and the importance of emulating it and not deviating away from it, we find there are other approaches adopted by Islamic groups or Muslim intellectuals, which relate to this subject. Regardless of who said it, we must concern ourselves with what has been said. We must undertake a quick examinination of them, removing the veil from them, so that the Muslim does not continue confused and lost in the maze of these approaches, or harbours doubts about carrying the da’wah. In what follows, we present some of the most important approaches. * Some Muslims say the obligation of working to establish the Khilafah must b...

The following is a book review of 'Murder in Samarkand' by Craig Murray. Murray was the United Kingdom's Ambassador to Uzbekistan until he was removed from his post in October 2004 after exposing appalling rights abuses by the US-funded regime of President Islam Karimov. His website has further articles and supporting documents which he could not include in the book fearing that it would be banned, you can view these on http://www.craigmurray.co.uk Memoirs of a diplomat R. K. RAGHAVAN A British ambassador's candid and controversial account laying bare the underside of the `war on terror' MURDER IN SAMARKAND — A British Ambassador's Controversial Defiance of Tyranny in the War on Terror: Craig Murray; Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh. £ 18.99. Diplomats come in different sizes and shapes, very often with a lopsided vision of the globe around them. Like many organised civil services, the Foreign Service of any country is a mixed bag of the most brilliant and the u...

The following is an extract from the draft translation of the arabic book entitled 'Dawa ilal Islam' (Dawa to Islam) by Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud, published by Al-Waie Publications in Lebanon. I will be posting the sections of the book related to this subject. Confusing the method with styles by some Muslims today The doubt that crops up in some people’s minds stems from the fact that the existing situation now is different to that of the time of the Messenger (saw). In the time of the Messenger (saw) the division of societies was primitive (tribes and clans). As for today the divisions are more complex and interlinked. A tribe used to be on the level of a state; its people were counted by the thousands. Today, they are counted by the millions or tens of millions. The da’wah used to involve inviting the kuffar to Imaan. As for today, the da’wah to the Muslims in origin is to resume the Islamic way of life. In the time of the Messenger (saw), the superpowers such as Rome and Persia d...

The following is an excellent poem by my 16 year old niece: Take Me Away Take me away from this place of ignorance And into the veiled river-ridden lands With waters gushing from the fountain of truth Instoring knowledge so that man understands. Save me from the throbbing of idle chatter Emitted by the throngs of sheep - The masses walking with eyes shut close, Looking awake yet deep they sleep. I await the shepherd to direct the flock, Out from the gloomy fog-strewn night, Drowning our hearts with tales of deceit, And into the garden, spilling with light. The yearn of my heart echoes through my mind, Take me; carry me; fly me away Lead me to the lost locket of wisdom So that I may reside and not go astray. Yet I remain in this prison ruled by men and kings - safe in their haughty towers built up tall Fooling themselves with whispers of the devil, Arrogance deceiving one and all. Take me to the lake of humility I beg, Where thirst is quenched my humble hearts; Sincerity blossoms from t...

The following is an extract from the draft translation of the arabic book entitled 'Dawa ilal Islam' (Dawa to Islam) by Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud, published by Al-Waie Publications in Lebanon. I will be posting the sections of the book related to this subject. Seeking the Nusrah (material support) Let us consider for a while an important rule from the rules of the method, that is, the seeking of the Nusrah. Let us slowly re-examine it so as to deduce what we need to follow, especially since there are people who are working to establish the Islamic State, but do not give the Nusrah the slightest attention. They do this as if it is a periphiral matter, which carries no weight, or as if its isnad (chain of narration) is weak, and so should not be taken. They did not stop here, but went on to attack this rule and those who engaged in it, even though all the biographies of the Prophet (saw) addressed this subject, with only a few minor differences in the details, which are not worth ment...

The following is an extract from the draft translation of the arabic book entitled 'Dawa ilal Islam' (Dawa to Islam) by Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud, published by Al-Waie Publications in Lebanon. I will be posting the sections of the book related to this subject. How to establish dar al-Islam (the domain of Islam) Now we shall go back to defining the actions required by the Shar’a, and the stages that have to be followed for establishing dar al-Islam. We shall divide the discussion into two sections: A section which deals with the Messenger’s (saw) method of change. A section which deals with the method of the group or party in working for change, as an emulation of the method of the Messenger (saw). The stage of culturing in his (saw) time When he (saw) was sent, he began to call the people. Some believed in him and others professed disbelief, until Islam became widely known in Makkah, and the people talked about it. The Messenger (saw) initially used to visit them in their homes. H...