All Articles
Ayaat (2) – Experiencing the Divine Signs
by Zohair Abdul Rahman MSc. This article will build on the previous and provide a phenomenological perspective on how we are meant to interact with the signs of Allah in His Book (Articulated) and His Creation (Unarticulated). Ayaat Masmoo’ah: Articulated Signs and...
Shakk (2) – The Psychology of Doubt
by Zohair Abdul-Rahman MSc and M. Nazir Khan MD. A person has a misconception about Islam and misconstrues a particular teaching as misogynistic or violent. Approaching a scholar or community leader, he or she receives a response that seems satisfactory and is able to...
Shakk (1) – The Epistemology of Doubt
As you are reading this article, you likely believe that you are awake and not dreaming. You are confident that you know who you are, and that you are present in the real world and not, for instance, simply connected to an elaborate computer simulation that makes your...
Ayaat (1) – The Semiotics of Meaning
by Zohair Abdul-Rahman MSc and M. Nazir Khan MD Introduction The terms ayah (sign) and ayaat (signs) are mentioned over 400 times in the Quran collectively.[ref]Berisha E. (2017). The Qur’anic Semio-Ethics of Nature. Islam and Civilisational Renewal, 8:...
Fitness – Why be healthy?
By Dr. Abdul-Wahab Khan and Dr. M. Nazir Khan In today’s busy and hectic world, many of us are faced with constant hurdles in our journey towards maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Many of us are confused on the subject of health and fitness, and have passed...
Dhikr – Awakening from Illusion
Society is filled with imagery of that which is not real - whether artificial personalities in media, the latest celebrity gossip, fake images in advertisements, or fictional stories in film and on television. Is life just about filling one's mind with these...
Scholars (3) – What could go wrong?
This is a continuation of the discussion on the role of scholars. Please read the preceding part 1, and part 2. Do scholars sometimes make mistakes? Despite the advantage afforded by lengthy educational training, human error is inescapable. Imam Malik (d.179H)...
Harmony with Humanity – Islam and Non-Muslims
How do human beings live together on a planet with so many different moral systems, ideologies and religions? What does Islam say about dealing with non-Muslims? Doesn't religion always create artificial barriers between people? In order for people to live peacefully...
Tawheed – A Life Worth Living
What is it that makes my life worth living? Some people have the luxury of approaching this question as a mere philosophical exercise; for others, this question continues to haunt them, driving them to the depths of depression. Is life really just the pursuit of...
Rahmah – Compassion is Crucial
Why do human beings do good towards others? At the end of the day, is it always for some selfish motivation? Where does compassion come from and why is it important? How can compassion be revived in the world today? In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most...
The Environment – Why be green?
The earth and its natural resources are being ravaged by mankind. But why should people care? Are there any practical ways to make a difference? And will people actually bother to change their current lifestyle to protect the environment before it is too late? Every...
True Freedom (2) – Liberating the soul
Can Spiritual Freedom provide the answer? It may be clear at this point that a human being can easily lose their freedom as they become psychologically enslaved to the various idols of this worldly life. And evidently, this can lead to disastrous psychological,...
True Freedom (1) – Escaping Psychological Slavery
Freedom. It is argued to be one of the most cherished values for those who have it, and one of the most envied values for those who don’t. Nations rise and fall as people pursue freedom from oppression, and each individual strives to maintain freedom in their own...
The Real Battle: Meaningful vs Meaningless
When I say a word that you understand, you say it has a meaning. It has the quality of intentionality or being ‘about’ something. If one’s larynx however ejects a random unintelligible noise, you would call it meaningless – it conveys nothings and represents nothing....
Advance Care Planning
Advances in modern medicine with life-support equipment have created new ethical challenges. In which cases would “doing everything possible” help a patient recover, and in which cases would it simply prolong one’s suffering, or possibly worsen it? With a vast range...