Tag: scholarship
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Unveiling the Depth of Imām Bukhārī’s Scholarship: A Reflective Encounter in Oxford
Imām Bukhārī is most celebrated for his rigorous compilation of “Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī,” revered within Islamic studies. Yet, the significance of his methodology and its implications for historical scholarship often remain overshadowed by his religious achievements. Our conversation, enriched by the expertise of Dr. Bekir Kuzudisli, a well-known research scholar of Ḥadīth at İstanbul University, highlighted…
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Muslim Scholars in Japan: Contemplating Islam in a Non-Muslim Society
I suspect most people are not familiar with Islamic history in East Asia, despite the region being home to one of the world’s oldest masjids, built in 7th or 8th century China. More recently, in 20th century Japan, the Kobe Masjid was built and mostly supported by foreign Tatar, Turkish, and South Asian Muslims. (You…
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Abd al-Wahhab al-Sha’rani and His al-Minan al-Kubra
Al-Minan al-Kubra is a fascinating text that can almost be placed in a genre of its own. Not only is the book bursting with beneficial advice and specific examples of the manifestations of various virtues, but it is also a glimpse into al-Sha’rani’s own life. From the beginning he speaks of his own lineage, and…
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The Male-Only Panel Fallacy
The issue of male-only panels is a new one. Outrage often seems manufactured: Muslim women are not “represented” in conferences, scholarly circles, panels, public events, speaking engagements, etc. This is considered a big problem, as it clearly serves as evidence of systematic misogyny, and Muslims will never progress unless it is resolved via a quota…
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Al-Sha’rawi and the Neglect of Judgment Day
It is clear from the words of al-Sha’rawi that discussion and observance of the signs of Judgement Day are an essential component of a healthy Muslim consciousness. Most Muslims who have made a slight effort to learn a thing or two about their religion have heard the narration known as Hadith Jibril, wherein the Messenger…
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Reflections and Advice From a Female Scholar
In 2011, I graduated as a female scholar (Alimah) alongside my 12 classmates. After completing the six year program at a traditional Dar-ul-Uloom (school for higher Islamic sciences), we returned to our hometowns, each pursuing our own unique path: some of us began to teach in the communities right away, some furthered their academic studies…
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Colonialism and Gender Discourse: A Case Study on the Unique Case of the Ulema
The respectful attentiveness that has ever characterized the traditional attitudes of Muslims students before their teachers, male or female, is derived from the example of women as from the men who attended and served him [the Prophet ﷺ]. Shahr ibn Hawshab has narrated from Asma’ bint Yazid that she said: “I was holding the rein…
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The Incoherence of Modern Reformists
The modern era, with the ethical conundrums it bears, understandably causes people to search for answers that speak to their present condition. To this end, countless new movements have appeared laying claim to “true” Islam.
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Acknowledging the Role of Scholarship
If we defend the experts in matters of this world, why do we so easily neglect the experts in matters of the afterlife?