IQRA

Courage Wanted

By Muneeb Nasir

Tariq Ramadan in his book, Radical Reform: Islamic Ethic and Liberation, addresses Muslim societies and communities everywhere with a bold call for radical reform.

 

The publisher, Oxford University Press, writes in its description of the book that ‘it is bound to provoke controversy and spark debate among Muslims and non-Muslims alike’.

 

Ramadan argues that radical reform demands not only the equal contributions of scholars of both the text and the context, but the critical engagement and creative imagination of the Muslim masses.

 

In response to this call for critical engagement, a group of interested and courageous readers in Toronto have been meeting to discuss and reflect on the author’s bold proposals for reforming Muslim minds - see Reading Circle schedule here

 

Reflections on 3rd  week reading,  Determining the Sources of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence: Pages  - 84 - 112

 

It will take courage to move from techniques to substance, from means to higher ends and from passivity to activity.

 

In addition to creativity and confidence, it will take courageous scholars to propose ethics that goes beyond those based on necessity (darurah) and need (hajah) to ones based on justifications.

Planting the Seeds - History of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto Part 2

BY MUNEEB NASIR

The coming together of the early immigrant Muslims in Toronto to build an organization and establish a centre for their religious, cultural and social activities had an air of excitement among members of the newly formed Muslim Foundation in 1968.

While there were established mosques in other parts of Canada, such as in London, Ontario, as well as, in Edmonton, Alberta,  the community in Toronto in the early 1960s had one fledgling centre, established by Albanian immigrants.
 
Early in the 20th century, a sizeable number of Albanian immigrants settled in the city and through the activism of one of these early Torontonians, Mr. Rajjab Assim, the Muslim Society of Toronto was formed in 1911.

This pioneering work led to the establishment of the Albanian Mosque in 1954 in the Keele and Dundas area of the city and it served the cultural and religious needs of the Albanian Muslims. 

In the early 1960s, religious services for the small Muslim population in the city were primarily being conducted in rental facilities and homes.

In 1965, Muslim students attending the University of Toronto established the Friday services (Jumu’ah) in the institution’s historic centre, Hart House.

The Theology of Tariq Ramadan

Tariq Ramadan has emerged as one of the most influential Muslim theologians in the world today.

In this important book, Gregory Baum presents for the first time an introduction to several key aspects of Ramadan’s theological enterprise.

Baum examines Ramadan’s work historically within an interfaith perspective, drawing several parallels between Islamic and Catholic encounters with modernity.

His comparison of the debates in the two traditions suggests that reform and renewal are compatible with the substance of both Catholic and Muslim traditions.

After a brief account of the evolution of Catholic theology up to the Second Vatican Council, Baum introduces Ramadan’s published work and theological orientation, examining both within the historical development of Islam.

He outlines Ramadan’s theology of God, humanity, and the universe and discusses Ramadan’s interpretation of sharia, the divinely revealed Islamic way of life.

The book then addresses what fidelity to Islam means for Western Muslims and contrasts Ramadan’s theology with the theological liberalism advocated by some Muslim authors.

Sharing the core of our beliefs

By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf

New York, New York - As he travels to Turkey on 7 April, US President Barack Obama takes the next step to fulfil his pledge to address the Muslim world. Some critics have warned him: don’t do it. I believe they are wrong. This is just the right thing to do, and Obama is the one to do it.

The president will speak at the UN Alliance of Civilization’s forum in Istanbul as a way to talk directly with Muslims about finding common ground for peace.

Critics say Obama should not try to engage the “Muslim world” because there is no such unified thing. They say this will play into Osama bin Laden’s narrative because he portrays himself as the protector of the “Muslim world”. They say the conflicts in the Middle East, with Iran, within Iraq and between Pakistan and India are not rooted in religion, but are secular fights over land, influence and control. (READ MORE)

Death and Islam

By Dr Abduljalil Sajid

For Muslims, life decides the afterlife

The whole life of a Muslim constitutes of a trial and test by means of which his final destiny is determined. For him, death is the return of the soul to its Creator, God, and the inevitability of death and the Hereafter is never far from his consciousness. This serves to keep all of his life and deeds in perspective as he tries to live in preparedness for what is to come. For Muslims, the concept of death and the afterlife in Islam is derived from the holy Qur'an, the final revealed message from God. (READ MORE)

Contribute with Confidence

By Muneeb Nasir

Tariq Ramadan in his book, Radical Reform: Islamic Ethic and Liberation, addresses Muslim societies and communities everywhere with a bold call for radical reform.

The publisher, Oxford University Press, writes in its description of the book that ‘it is bound to provoke controversy and spark debate among Muslims and non-Muslims alike’.

Ramadan argues that radical reform demands not only the equal contributions of scholars of both the text and the context, but the critical engagement and creative imagination of the Muslim masses.

In response to this call for critical engagement, a group of interested and courageous readers in Toronto, (seeking to contribute with confidence!), have been meeting to discuss and reflect on the author’s bold proposals for reforming Muslim minds - see Reading Circle schedule here

Reflections on 2nd  week reading, II. Classical Approaches of the fundamentals of law and jurisprudence: Pages 41-84

Closer to the Prophet’s generation and within the milieu that received the divine communication, there was a natural desire to remain faithful to the message (advocates of tradition).

Exposure matures and widens understandings.

Ban on Tariq Ramadan angers rights activists

The lines between the Obama and Bush administrations appeared blurred this week after a lawyer for the government argued a ban should be upheld against the entry of Tariq Ramadan, a leading Muslim scholar. (READ MORE)

Domestic Violence - A Disturbing Reality

By Muneeb Nasir

 

I attended a forum on the topic of domestic violence this past weekend that was organized by the Canadian Council of Imams and the Canadian Council of Muslim Theologians. The program titled - ‘Domestic Violence: Myth or Reality? - was held at the Islamic Information and Da'wah International in downtown Toronto.

The small group of attendees listened to presentations by a police officer and an Imam on the topic and engaged in discussions.

 

While this is a commendable awareness raising endeavor by the organizing groups, I was especially disappointed by the turnout of Imams from both groups, given that they were the ones putting on the event (only three were there).

 

Given the seriousness of the issue of domestic violence, I would have thought that there would be a platform of Imams who, by their presence, would have shown that they are indeed righteously indignant and concerned about the welfare of vulnerable members in our society.    

 

Engaging Critical Minds and Creative Imaginations

BY MUNEEB NASIR

 

Professor Tariq Ramadan in his book, Radical Reform: Islamic Ethics and Liberation, addresses Muslim societies and communities everywhere with a bold call for radical reform.

 

The publisher, Oxford University Press, writes in its description of the book that ‘it is bound to provoke controversy and spark debate among Muslims and non-Muslims alike’.

 

Professor Ramadan argues that radical reform demands not only the equal contributions of scholars of both the text and the context, but the critical engagement and creative imagination of the Muslim masses.

In response to this call for critical engagement, a group of interested and courageous readers in Toronto, (critical minds and creative imaginations!), have been meeting to discuss and reflect on the author’s bold proposals for reforming Muslim minds - see Reading Circle schedule here

Reflections on 1^st week's reading, About Reform: Pages 11- 40

 

Engagement and activism are important for those who want to be serious about reforming themselves and the Muslim conscience.

 

Apathy and casting blame on scholars or simply accepting that it is a common and current human disposition to be disengaged wouldn’t cut it.

 

Overcoming the double alienation that threatens and clouds the Islamic conscience - that self-ignorance of the inherent reform process within Islam, compounded by fear of change or of the other – is another requirement and must be tackled boldly.

 

While being involved in this process, it is necessary to reaffirm and remain grounded in those unchanging principles, the immutable norms (thawabit).

 

Restoring the universal dimension of Islam to one’s consciousness, in which one's values and ethics are thought of as good for all, would seem to be a requirement for transformation reform.   

 

If not, one would not be interested in or willing to change the world, as transformation reform refers to an ethics with the requirement of changing the world rather than one that refer simply to the requirements of a changing world.

 

Trying to adapt induces a reaction while seeking to transform produces a response.  

 

Texts <-> Contexts -> to act on context and improve it; without ever accepting its shortcomings and injustices as a matter of fate.

Living the Message Daily

By Muneeb Nasir

(Excerpt from Friday Khutba delivered at the University of Toronto on March 13, 2009)

 

Muslims are thinking of Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, in this month of Rabi ‘Awwal, which is widely reported as that of his birth.

 

They are recounting, remembering, and praising this great Prophet and Messenger of Allah, who affects their daily lives and whose example they try to follow.

 

Throughout the centuries, millions have revered and described the greatness of Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him.

 

We are among the tens of millions of people who believe in Allah, and who recite His praises, His Glory and Majesty; we have come to know the Almighty through the beloved Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad.

 

As Muslims, our daily challenge is how to live in the way of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him.