In this article, I investigate the institution of fasting in Hijaz prior to the ordinance of Ramadan. The historical sources of Islam inform that pagan Arabs used to fast on the day of Ashura’, viz. the tenth of Muharram. On this day they would also clothe the Ka’bah (Ahmed). The Prophet Muhammad – infinite peace…
By Mufti Barkatulla, UK based Shari’ah Scholar After many years of market waiting, UK sovereign Sukuk is back on the agenda. Unlike bonds, which record a debt owned by the issuer to the investor, Sukuk are trust certificates that record a trust declared by the issuer over certain assets. Shariah scholars don’t regard Islamic bonds as debt in the…
Ever since the beginning of 21st Century, City of London has been aspiring to become a gateway of Islamic Finance. In 2012 we are now in a position to critically evaluate the progress of the journey in Islamic Finance or alternative financial arrangements, as it is called in official documentations. London was set to…
You are the Essence of the Essence, the intoxication of Love. I long to sing your praises but stand mute with the agony of wishing in my heart. (al-Rumi) The Qur’an, that ‘inimitable symphony, the very sounds of which move men to tears and ecstasy’, invigorated the barren hearts of camel shepherds and transformed them in…
Through Arabic I am transported to distant lands and bygone ages, medieval courthouses and illustrious centres of learning. I become a spectator with front row seats to history – watching the interactions of the sahaba (ra) play out before my very eyes, musing at the back and forth between Imam Abu Hanifa and his students, marvelling at the genius of legends like Ibn Hajar and Imam Ghazali..
Masuma graduated from the Arabic Intensive Programme in 2016. She is currently studying the Alimiyyah Programme at Ebrahim College.
