Faith in Perspective: A Return to the Fundamental Principles of Islam

New Directions in Islamic Education explores the relationship between pedagogy and the formation of religious identities within Islamic education settings that are based in minority and majority Muslim contexts. Based on empirical research, the book engages critically with the philosophical, theological and cultural dynamics that inform Muslim educational thought and practice. The book offers an integrated model of Islamic education that identifies the heart of the Islamic educational imagination as tarbiyah, a transformative process of becoming. Overall, this book seeks to ground the theory and practice of Islamic education within the experience of the educator and the learner, and it synthesises the spiritual foundations of Islam with the tradition of critical reflection within the classical Muslim educational heritage. This ground breaking and wide-ranging work should be of interest not only to Muslim educators and education specialists, but also to social scientists, theologians and policy makers.

In this book the authors outlined a complete methodology for Islamic work today. From `Aqeedah to Da’wah, Jihad to Khilafah and Taqwa to Sabr (patience), they explained how all of these parts of Islam come together for the sole objective of each and every Muslim: to seek the Pleasure of Allah ( SWT ), the Irresistible. It was written in a manner portraying the true situation of the Muslims today and, coming from imprisoned scholars: a realistic portrayal.

This book is an excellent read by itself and an even better guide if used as a syllabus in learning Islam in an organised, collective manner. It is ideal as a basis for study circles and acts as a comprehensive manual. Coupled with the supplementary reading of some other books in the English language and memorisation of the Holy Quran, it can consolidate the knowledge of anyone seeking to work for Islam in this day and age.

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Part One: Our Ultimate Goal

Part Two: Our `Aqeedah

Part Three: Our Understanding

Part Four: Our Aim

Part Five: Our Path

Part Six: Our Provisions

Part Seven: Our Walaa’ (Loyalty)

Part Eight: Our ‘Adaa’ (Animosity)

Part Nine: Our Gathering

Glossary of Arabic Trems

The Twentieth Century has witnessed one of the fiercest blows inflicted upon our Ummah by our enemy: the collapse of the Khilafah. If only their conspiracy had stopped at the demise of Khilafah. But they went on to indoctrinate Muslims with strange, foreign ideas and concepts, in order to confuse our understanding of our Deen. Once we wake up and try to return to our original Deen, we will be confronted with an intellectual perplexity, in which evil and good is mixed. Hence, the truth will be ambiguous and we will go astray, and lose the true understanding of Islam.

And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (this Qur’an) and be not divided among yourselves.” [Surah Ale-Imran (3), Ayah 103.]

by Dr. Naahah Ibrahim, Asim Abdul Maajid and Esaam-ud-Deen Darbaalah

This book provides a window into the world of Islam. It covers the whole spectrum of its beliefs, values, social principles, cultural institutions, and contemporary problems. Edited by Khurshid Ahmad, this book brings together leading Muslim scholarship and covers ideology, culture, the concept of worship, social justice, women in Islam, political theory in Islam, and the objectives of the Islamic economic order.