New Directions in Islamic Education : Pedagogy and Identity Formation (P/B)

Steadfastness and patient perseverance in Allah’s religion is a basic requirement that should be met by every sincere Muslim who wants to stick to the Straight Path with understanding and determination. Muslims today face many temptations and distractions. Those who consciously seek the means of steadfastness will succeed and those who are negligent will, sadly, suffer the doubts and confusion which are more severe now than ever before. Happy are those who seek the way out and join the righteous, dedicated Muslims, and who spare no effort to learn their religion and remain steadfast. This valuable book deals with all these issues and points out the means of steadfastness that every Muslim should learn and practice. The author also discusses common worldly distractions and explains how to deal with them.

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.

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