Abu Hanifa vs People of Hadith: al-Thawri

When people claim that you cannot follow Islam without hadith, they always forget the one man who did exactly this: Abu Hanifa. Today, the largest school in the Muslim world, the Hanafi school, keeps the name of its founder, but no longer follows his methodology. It has become 'hadithified' to the extent that modern Hanafi followers often use the methods of the people of hadith (hadith-first) instead of Abu Hanifa's methods. 

Abrogation of Jerusalem to Mecca

Those Muslims who support the notion of abrogation within the Qur'an, cite the verse "...We did not make the focal point that you came on except that We may know who is following the messenger from those who will turn on their heels..." (2:143) to support their position that verses within the Qur'an can and have been abrogated. 

Qur'an and Hadith Preserved by Same People

It is often argued that we must trust the hadith because the same companions who gave us the Qur'an also gave us the hadith. This appears to make complete sense on the surface level. However, when studied even a little, the historical and logical facts show that this claim is not only misleading but actually false. Some of the people most responsible for the Qur'an's preservation were the same ones who actively suppressed and discouraged the narration of hadith.

Prophet's Sunnah

What does it mean to follow the sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)? The question for today is are we really following the sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) or has his sunnah been reduced to only following the culture of the 7th century Arabs?

The Scholars

Across Islamic history, a scholarly class emerged and gradually positioned itself as the primary interpreter and guardian of the religion of Allah. Their authority has grown over the centuries, shaping how Muslims understand Islam. But is this truly how Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) intended for people to access their religion?

Idol Worship of the Kaaba

For many Muslims today, the ultimate dream is to visit Makkah for Hajj and Umrah and see the Kaaba. It is the direction of salat for all Muslims and a symbol of unity. But when we witness what happens around it, a difficult question arises: has the Kaaba shifted from being our direction of salat and a symbol of unity to now becoming an object of devotion itself?

Divorce

Islam is a practical religion that acknowledges the realities of human life. While marriage is sacred, Islam recognises that not all marriages can last. Divorce is therefore permitted as a reality of life, and this permission itself is a mercy, for it prevents prolonged unhappiness by allowing people to end marriages that have become a source of pain rather than peace.

Companions Rejected Hadith

The early years of Islam after Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) reveal a very interesting insight into how Divine Law was preserved. The earliest generation of Muslims based their understanding on the principle that the Qur'an was the only source of religious law. This narrative challenges later traditions which elevated the Hadith to equal authority with the Qur'an when it came to legislation.

Immorality & Adultery

The Qur'an prohibits sexual immorality in all forms. This article presents a detailed analysis of the prohibition, the proofs required to obtain conviction, and the subsequent punishments. 

Abrogation in the Qur'an

A claim about the Qur'an is that it contains abrogation of verses; that some verses were revealed by Allah only to be cancelled or replaced by later ones. If true, this would suggest an evolving Qur'an, raising doubts about its consistency and divine origin. Yet when read carefully in its own context, this idea can no longer be supported. The Qur'an does not describe its verses as temporary or replaceable. Instead, it presents itself as the final revelation, superseding all previous scriptures including the Torah and the Gospel, while affirming their original truths.

Freedom of Speech

Disagreement and hostility have always been the realities of human history. Muslims encounter them in many forms: political movements that thrive on division, public acts of provocation such as burning the Qur'an, offensive cartoons of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him), or the disputes that unfold on social media. These situations can stir anger and frustration, yet the Qur'an tolerates offensive and provocative speech as "there is no compulsion in the system..." (2:256). Rather than commanding believers to suppress such speech, the Qur'an teaches them how to respond to it with restraint, wisdom, and dignity.

Fasting in Ramadan

Fasting during Ramadan is an obligation of abstinence, originating in the Qur'an, that aims not at physical deprivation but at obtaining righteousness. It is not simply about enduring hunger or avoiding marital intimacy, but about getting closer to Allah.

Menstruation

The Qur'an does not treat menstruation as a taboo, nor does it surround it with ambiguity; rather, it addresses the topic directly and with precision. Yet, menstruation has been mischaracterised as a barrier to all worship, leading to widespread confusion about what is actually prohibited, what is conditionally suspended, and what remains fully permitted.

Rituals in the Qur'an

The claim that the Qur'an fails to provide sufficient detail for rituals is often levelled against those who rely exclusively on the Book. However, the Qur'an presents a clear framework for the rituals of worship in Islam. It's role is not as a manual for the mechanical movements of rituals, but as a restorer of the ancient covenant and a legislator for new ones. 

Gradual Prohibition of Alcohol

It is often claimed that alcohol and gambling were prohibited gradually in Islam—that the Qur’an first discouraged, then restricted, and finally banned them. This narrative is widespread, but it rests on a fragile foundation. It assumes that Allah softened the truth to ease social transition, that Allah withheld legal clarity to avoid backlash. But does this actually make any sense?

Prohibition of Alcohol

Intoxicants mentioned in the Qur'an are not defined by ingredients or fermentation methods, but by their effect on the mind. This includes a wide range of substances, both legal and illegal, which alter mood, perception, or behaviour in ways similar to alcohol.

Salat Times

The verses of the Qur'an establish that the salat is a scheduled practice with specific timings throughout the day and night, defined by natural celestial events. The verses collectively delineate five main times: before dawn (Fajr), at midday (Zuhr), in the afternoon before sunset (Asr), just after sunset (Maghrib), and at night (Isha). Finally, the concept of a 'middle salat' is mentioned.

The Prophet's Literacy

Traditional understanding has long held the view that the word 'ummi' means someone who is illiterate. The Muslims have used this understanding to determine the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) could not read nor write. However, this article looks exclusively to the Qur’an to establish the actual meaning of 'ummi' and to assess whether the traditional understanding holds up to Qur'anic scrutiny.

Halal Pigs

The prohibition of consuming pork is one of the most widely known in Islamic dietary law. Traditionally, this has been understood as a total ban on the pig, making the animal itself unclean and forbidden. But what does the Qur'an actually say about the pig?

Halal & Haram Foods

This article provides a clear and straightforward explanation of the dietary rules in Islam, designed for anyone new to the topic. Based on the Qur'an, these laws form a complete system that is clear in its rules and merciful in times of desperation. 

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is one of the hardest topics for Muslims to talk about but the Qur'an doesn't avoid it. This article breaks down what the Qur'an actually says, and how to understand it without the confusion prevalent today. Key to this discussion is the recurring story of Prophet Lot and his people; a narrative that appears in multiple chapters of the Qur'an and is described consistently with clarity and deliberate language. 

Ablution (wudhu)

The Qur'an offers a clear guide on the practice of ablution, known as wudhu, the ritual cleansing performed before salat. This practice exclusively tied to prayer and not to general cleanliness. In this article, ablution will be referred to as wudhu. The Qur'an itself provides the instructions on how to perform wudhu and the conditions attached to it.

Prohibition of Riba (usury)

Transactions are not just about money; they are also about justice, clarity, and mutual agreement. The Qur'an consistently distinguishes between two types of financial increase: one that is fair and agreed upon (trade), and one that is unjust and exploitative (riba). This distinction is not based on profit alone, but on how that profit is generated.

Obey Allah and Obey the Messenger

The phrase 'Allah and His messenger' appears repeatedly in the Qur'an, especially in contexts involving obedience, law, and authority. It is commonly interpreted as an order to follow two distinct sources: Allah—understood as the Qur'an—and the messenger—understood as the hadith. However, this reading imposes two separate sources of law that the Qur'an itself does not support.