Differences of Opinion in Islam

السلام عليكم
Please download here  my translation of a treatise concerning differences of opinion. We may not agree with every point, but I find it quite beneficial to share. The only additional comment I have to make is that the author mentioned the important incident of Banu Qurayzhah, without mentioning what actually happened.

 During the siege of al-Madinah during the Battle of Khandaq (5 Hijri) the Jews of Banu Qurayzhah who were bound by treaty to the Muslims, betrayed the Muslims. After the siege was lifted, Jibreel alayhis salaam ordered Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam to punish the traitors.

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam therefore announced: لا يصلين أحدكم العصر إلا فى بنى قريظة - None of you should pray Asr except at Banu Qurayzhah!

One group of Muslims took long to reach Qurayzhah. It was nearing sunset, and they had not yet prayed Asr. Some insisted on following the command literally, even it meant praying Asr at Qurayzhah only when the stars had appeared. Others opined that the command meant to hurry, but Asr had to be prayed before sunset, which meant not at Qurayzhah in their case.

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not rebuke either group, even though their actions were opposite.

و السلام
سليمان الكندي

Differences of Opinion in Islam

السلام عليكم
Please download here  my translation of a treatise concerning differences of opinion. We may not agree with every point, but I find it quite beneficial to share. The only additional comment I have to make is that the author mentioned the important incident of Banu Qurayzhah, without mentioning what actually happened.

 During the siege of al-Madinah during the Battle of Khandaq (5 Hijri) the Jews of Banu Qurayzhah who were bound by treaty to the Muslims, betrayed the Muslims. After the siege was lifted, Jibreel alayhis salaam ordered Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam to punish the traitors.

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam therefore announced: لا يصلين أحدكم العصر إلا فى بنى قريظة - None of you should pray Asr except at Banu Qurayzhah!

One group of Muslims took long to reach Qurayzhah. It was nearing sunset, and they had not yet prayed Asr. Some insisted on following the command literally, even it meant praying Asr at Qurayzhah only when the stars had appeared. Others opined that the command meant to hurry, but Asr had to be prayed before sunset, which meant not at Qurayzhah in their case.

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not rebuke either group, even though their actions were opposite.

و السلام
سليمان الكندي

Racism & Intolerance amongst Muslims

This is a downloadable transcript ( as best as I can remember) of pre-Jumuah talks I delivered in the wake of the 2008 Xenophobic attacks in South Africa. One Masjid made it clear that I was no longer welcome there. Or should I say, "the powers that be" or "think that they be" made it clear that I was no longer welcome there.

The Imaam of another Masjid was not honourable enough to to make his unislamic attitude known immediately. My services were used for another year, before he could make other arrangements (he is not known for being able to deliver two coherent English sentences). He would then send text messages telling me not to come whenever I was scheduled to talk. I had to learn from third parties why the coward no longer wished me to speak.

One might ask why I am posting this now, when so much time has passed? Firstly, I had stated that this blog will be a record of past writings and correspondences. Secondly, the issues mentioned are still very much relevant. Muslims love to lament how we are wronged, but are averse to soul-searching and admitting to our own wrongs against others, let alone rectifying those wrongs.

سليمان الكندي

Racism & Intolerance amongst Muslims

This is a downloadable transcript ( as best as I can remember) of pre-Jumuah talks I delivered in the wake of the 2008 Xenophobic attacks in South Africa. One Masjid made it clear that I was no longer welcome there. Or should I say, "the powers that be" or "think that they be" made it clear that I was no longer welcome there.

The Imaam of another Masjid was not honourable enough to to make his unislamic attitude known immediately. My services were used for another year, before he could make other arrangements (he is not known for being able to deliver two coherent English sentences). He would then send text messages telling me not to come whenever I was scheduled to talk. I had to learn from third parties why the coward no longer wished me to speak.

One might ask why I am posting this now, when so much time has passed? Firstly, I had stated that this blog will be a record of past writings and correspondences. Secondly, the issues mentioned are still very much relevant. Muslims love to lament how we are wronged, but are averse to soul-searching and admitting to our own wrongs against others, let alone rectifying those wrongs.

سليمان الكندي