Roots Of Knowledge ROK 😊

When Everyone’s a Speaker, Who’s Worth Listening To? In the times we live in today, it's very easy for the average person to feel confused about what food to eat, what products to use, and what global news to believe. Trust in what we see, hear, or read on a screen is steadily declining. To avoid being misled, we now find ourselves digging through reviews, reading multiple sources, and hoping to stumble upon an expert to clarify things for us. The same level of caution should apply, if not more, when it comes to learning Islam. If you wouldn’t buy a house or a car without proper research, why would you risk your deen by listening to unverified voices? This is why the scholars of the past would sternly warn: "Look at whom you are taking your deen from!" From people mimicking Qur'an reciters for likes to others dressing and speaking like renowned scholars, the average person often can’t tell the difference. The result? Many assume that anyone who fits a certain aesthetic must be a religious authority More disappointing still is when graduates, those who have formally studied Islam, fall into this trap. Without proper investigation or caution, they begin sharing opinions inconsistent with the very books they studied. This erodes trust, and the public may either turn to dubious sources or lose confidence in Islamic scholarship altogether. But this issue isn’t limited to individual graduates. It's part of a wider challenge brought on by the fast-paced, digital nature of modern life. Information is consumed quickly and often without verification. Muslims today need to be more critical of what they hear and more engaged with the Qur’an not just by reading its translation but by striving to understand its context. Yes, reading a translation can sometimes lead to confusion or misinterpretation. That’s why it’s essential to refer back to those with knowledge and to honour their role in clarifying the deen. In a world of noise and imitation, let's be deliberate, thoughtful, and careful about where we take our knowledge from. May Allah give us tawfeeq and keep us on His straight path

Debating is Harmful to Most People Written by Liaquat Zaman Debating, when not grounded in knowledge, sincerity, and humility, can be harmful for most people. While it may appear to be a noble pursuit of truth, it often becomes a source of confusion, ego, and regret, especially when carried out without deep understanding of the subject matter. The person ends up having to constantly reconfigure their understanding of the matter. I'm sure everyone has had the moment in life when they believed they were correct all along, but after talking to someone, they realised they weren't. Take, for example, someone who cannot drive and spends their time arguing that cars are a waste of money, space, and noise. One day, he has a heart attack and needs to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance. It is only then that he realises the value of cars and the limitations of his rigid thinking. In the same way, people who debate without truly understanding a subject often find that their views were only partially accurate. After deeper reflection or being challenged by someone more informed, they realise that their opinions need adjustment. As they debate, they are confronted with this increasingly difficult dilemma. After years of engaging in debates, they may come to realize how immature and rigid some of their past views were. There are times when you may have long thought that disagreements had no bearing on a certain subject you studied. Afterward, after talking to someone else, you find out that it is truly subject to Ikhtilaf [difference]. The depth of a subject or topic determines how much one must understand the workings of their own opinions. Debates can degenerate into filthy arenas where participants typically use any tactics to portray themselves as in control of the conversation and the opponent as inferior. Over time, constant debating can leave a person uncertain about their own beliefs, as the habit of constant challenge erodes confidence and leaves psychological effects. Unlike common debates driven by ego, the Prophets of Allah engaged in discussions with integrity, guided by truth and sincerity. Their example shows that debate is not inherently wrong, but its value lies in the intention and manner in which it is done.

Although the Qur'an mentions honey as a healing substance, this does not imply that it should be used to treat every illness. For instance, honey can have negative effects on diabetics, and some rare varieties might even cause hallucinations. Thus, rather than being a general medical prescription, the verse highlights honey's potential as a treatment. This raises the question: Should we rely on medical professionals who can evaluate and counsel us based on evidence-based knowledge, or should each person try out religiously recommended treatments until they discover what works? Muslims sincerely believe that Allah is the ultimate healer [Shaafi]. However, He has advised us to seek relief through lawful means. The Prophet ﷺ and his companions utilised both traditional Arab cures and those from other civilisations. Mental health issues are no different. We are only now getting a better grasp of illnesses such as schizophrenia, anxiety, sadness, and psychosis. Islamic texts do not provide specific medical diagnoses or treatment methods for such ailments, but they do provide spiritual guidance that can help Muslims stay steadfast. Although some scholars have used verses or supplications to help sufferers in the past, these applications are based more on informed assumptions and personal experiences than on the Prophet's ﷺ explicit instructions. People may have turned to religious texts for healing in the past due to a lack of medical expertise. However, in the present day, disregarding professional counsel in favour of one's own interpretations can result in harmful or even fatal outcomes. The Prophet ﷺ once reprimanded companions who gave a premature fatwa that led to someone's death, saying: "You have killed him! May Allah punish you!" (Abu Dawud). This incident underscores the importance of knowledge, consultation, and humility. The only cure for ignorance is to ask. It is essential to recognise the difference between practical knowledge and religious guidance. In an effort to increase their harvest, the people of Madinah practised artificial pollination of date palms. The Prophet ﷺ found it odd and discouraged them. That year, their yield declined. Upon learning this, the Prophet ﷺ remarked, "You are more knowledgeable of your worldly affairs, but when it comes to your religion, come to me." (Sahih Muslim) The Islamic view holds that worldly knowledge is achieved through human experience and observation, whereas religious teaching is revealed by Allah. This does not mean the two are mutually exclusive. Rather, living in the world should be done within the ethical framework set by Islam. In summary, while the Qur'an and Hadith offer divine guidance, their application in worldly affairs particularly in science and medicine must be approached with humility, prudence, and adherence to scholarly standards. Islam promotes the acquisition of knowledge and consultation with experts, acknowledging that all benefit ultimately comes from Allah, often through the means He has established in creation. A person runs the risk of misinterpreting the message and departing from the balanced approach upheld by generations of scholars if they disregard the advice of experts and rely solely on their own understanding of sacred texts. If Allah wills for someone to be healed of an illness or to achieve a material goal like marriage through the recitation of specific verses, it will undoubtedly occur. Our duty, however, is to operate within the boundaries of knowledge, prudence, and humility that Islam instills in us. 2/2

Leaving the Experts Alone and Treating Issues Only with Religious Texts The more we study Islam, the more we seek parallels between the divine texts and our daily lives. This is due to Islam's significant emphasis on belief and practice, which are extensively detailed throughout the Qur'an. Islam is a holistic way of life that considers all aspects of human existence, rather than just a spiritual creed. Recognising the limits of interpretation is crucial to our sincere efforts to bring theological knowledge and worldly matters into balance. The primary objectives of the Qur'an are to teach people how to obey Allah in every area of their lives and to cleanse their hearts of spiritual diseases and corrupt beliefs that obstruct their relationship with Him. It is not intended to be a definitive source of esoteric knowledge or a thorough response to all natural phenomena and scientific inquiries. Throughout history, humans developed worldly sciences through observation, experimentation, and trial and error, a process that reached unprecedented heights during the Islamic Golden Age in places such as Baghdad and Al-Andalus. However, Muslims function within a divinely revealed framework, observing Allah's ethical and theological boundaries. These constraints do not impede progress but rather ensure that knowledge serves truth, justice, and the well-being of creation. A blurry line between esoteric interpretations and speculative meanings can mislead readers, distort the meaning of the Qur'an and Hadith, and undermine the authority of Islamic doctrines. When people force their political, scientific, or personal beliefs onto divine texts, they may misread them and derive meanings that the Prophet ﷺ or the early generations never intended. Scholars developed rigorous methodologies known as Usul al-Tafsir and Usul al-Fiqh to ensure accurate interpretation and to prevent such misuse. These frameworks protect sacred texts from being influenced by illegitimate beliefs or selfish interests. Valid and invalid understandings can be distinguished using these principles. The Qur'an and Hadith are susceptible to distortion in the absence of these limitations. For this reason, anyone who uses Islamic teachings to advise others must exercise caution to avoid misleading them. In the fields of science and medicine, misunderstandings are common. Without a scholarly or scientific foundation, many people try to utilise Hadith or verses from the Qur'an to support their claims about the Earth's form, diagnose illnesses, or recommend cures. The use of honey is a commonly mentioned example. Although the Qur'an mentions honey as a healing substance, this does not imply that it should be used to treat every illness. For instance, honey can have negative effects on diabetics, and some rare varieties might even cause hallucinations. Thus, rather than being a general medical prescription, the verse highlights honey's potential as a treatment. This raises the question: Should we rely on medical professionals who can evaluate and counsel us based on evidence-based knowledge, or should each person try out religiously recommended treatments until they discover what works? Muslims sincerely believe that Allah is the ultimate healer [Shaafi]. However, He has advised us to seek relief through lawful means. The Prophet ﷺ and his companions utilised both traditional Arab cures and those from other civilisations. Mental health issues are no different. We are only now getting a better grasp of illnesses such as schizophrenia, anxiety, sadness, and psychosis. Islamic texts do not provide specific medical diagnoses or treatment methods for such ailments, but they do provide spiritual guidance that can help Muslims stay steadfast. 1/2

A Day in the Life. Mufti Liaquat Zaman A dedicated teacher at As-Suffa, Mufti Liaquat Zaman embodies the Prophetic legacy: "Convey from me, even if it is one verse." Mufti Liaquat Zaman will also be delivering our upcoming online course: "The Power of Dua" - Unlocking the Strength of Supplication A transformative session to deepen your connection with Allah and unlock the true power of your prayers. Instructor: Mufti Liaquat Zaman Date: Saturday, 10th May 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (UK Time) Online via MS Teams (Course notes provided) Fee: £20 per person Early Bird Discount: 25% off before 14th April! Use code DUAEBD Open to all Register now: as-suffa.org/dua

Stay Away From The Temptation of Debates Entering a debate without having a strong understanding of your own position on a given issue and all of its ramifications is futile. If not, your opinions are likely to shift during the discussion, and you'll likely end up uncertain or even lost on a lot of other topics. Being cognisant of your own position enables you to effectively defend each and every point, as well as to understand where your arguments originated and how experts perceived them. Regretfully, after watching a few videos or reading a few books or articles, a lot of people get a false sense of assurance when debating. Instead of admitting their mistakes and expressing regret, they employ various strategies to assert their superiority once they are in a half-baked debt and encounter objections and issues for which they were unprepared. Tragically, this is either egoism or a lack of knowledge of the person's own behaviour. These arguments are pointless and worsen the situation for both them and the Ummah as a whole.

Studying to Really Know vs Studying to Pass a Course Most students are more interested in the process than in details, and they feel satisfied with whatever they receive at the end of their journey of studying. Over the years that I have been a teacher, I've seen that a great deal of students are simply interested in the sensation of graduating and reading a few books or parts of them. Very few people are serious about peeling back the layers of ignorance and addressing the root of the matter. The example is comparable to someone diving into the water in search of pearls. The majority just enjoy diving close to the surface, and they don't show any interest in going farther if instructed to. Unlike those who, even being observed, will not stop until they have reached whatever depths they can. In contrast to those who, despite being perceived as defying the norm, will not stop until they have reached whatever depths they can. Making many prayers to Allah and attempting to spend time with others who share your passion and reading their writings are the best ways to cultivate a desire to learn.

Eid Mubarak 🎉 تقبل الله منا ومنكم Have a wonderful day ! Thank you for helping reach my goal for the street kids !

Don't ruin your month of fasting and prayer by mocking or insulting your Muslim brothers and sisters over their stance on Eid May Allah forgive us and strengthen the Ummah

The FINAL Juma this Ramadhan!!!! The best day of the week in the best month of the year!! Who knows whether we shall be alive to experience another Juma in Ramadhan So don’t miss this opportunity in the month the Quran was revealed as guidance for us!!! Invest in our children’s future and our OWN Aakhirah - Donate Today don’t miss out https://raise.as-suffa.org/fundraiser/liaquat-zaman

Jumah From beautiful Kabul