New Islamic Directions
Essays and longer reflections by Imam Zaid Shakir.
Imam Zaid Shakir · October 7, 2009
This is the third part of our translation of excerpts from Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali's section dealing with fasting in Shawwal from his book, Lata'if al-Ma'arif (pp. 394-396) "[Among the benefits of fasting six days in Shawwal] is that continuing to fast…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · October 1, 2009
Abu Ya’la al-Mawsili relates a Hadith with an unbroken chain from Usama bin Zaid, that he said: “I used to randomly fast months during the year. The Prophet, peace upon him, said to me, ‘What about Shawwal?!’” Thereafter, as soon as Usama celebrated…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · September 29, 2009
The following passage is exerpted from the chapter on Shawwal in Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali's work, Lata'if al-Ma'arif . It gives us insight into a number of issues related to fasting six days of Shawwal, the lunar month that follows Ramadan, pp. 389-392.…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · September 25, 2009
Imam Zaid talks about the fast of Ramadan in EMEL Magazine. http://emel.com/article?id=61&a_id=1404
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Imam Zaid Shakir · September 3, 2009
Note: The following characteristic is especially relevant in Ramadan, as one of the objectives of the fast is to control the tongue. Ibrahim al-Nakha'i, on of the teachers of Imam Abu Hanifa, may Allah have mercy on them both, mentioned: "The people…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · August 31, 2009
A. Bashfulness or Modesty or Shame (Haya’) Haya’ is a constrained feeling caused by the fear of something that would impugn one’s character, or leaving that thing fearing that involvement with it would lead to one’s condemnation. A.1. Texts from The…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · August 22, 2009
A. Envy (Hasad) is desiring the removal of a blessing from one truly deserving it. Al-Munawi, al-Tawqif الحسد تمني زوال نعمة عن مستحق لها – المناوي A.1. The Relationship Between Envy and Miserliness Envy and miserliness are related in that their…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · August 17, 2009
A. Love of the World in a blameworthy sense is to love it to such an extent that it moves from being a means to Paradise and becomes an end, the obsession with which leads to Hell. A.1. Three Types of Praise for Allah 1. Verbal praise is that of the…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · August 6, 2009
A. Iniquity (al-Baghi) is to desire exaltation without right. Al-Munawi Iniquity is seeking to exceed the limits demarcating moderation in what is sought. Al-Raghib A.2. Texts from the Qur’an and the Sunnah Concerning Iniquity Wicked is what they…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · August 2, 2009
A. Hatred (al-Bughd) is the inclination of the soul to flee away from things it finds repulsive. Raghib al-Asfahani, al-Mufradat Unsanctioned hatred occurs when the repulsiveness the soul finds is unjustified and leads to forbidden actions against…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 29, 2009
Wantonness (Batar) A. Wantonness (Batar) is not properly bearing the responsibility of wealth, which means a severe shortcoming in terms of appreciating it, and seeing the blessing in it. Along with excessive mirth (unrestrained happiness) it leads…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 27, 2009
I. Basic Concepts A. Miserliness (Bukhl) Bukhl is denying those in need an established right they have in one’s wealth, or earnings. A.1. Texts From the Qur’an and the Sunnah Let not those who are miserly with what Allah has bestowed upon them from…
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