Abrar A bi-monthly newsletter published by the Abrar Islamic Foundation

45 CrawfordEdior: Place, DrLondon Saeed W!H Shehabi 4LP A bi-monthly newsletter Abrar Tel:Published 020 7724 by the 3033 45Fax: Crawford 020 7724 Place, 7219 LondonEmail: W1H 4LP Vol 16, No 21 (406) 16th-31st May 2021 [email protected] Tel: 020Website: 7724 3033 After Eid; responsibilities of mount www.abrar.org.uk The fasting experience must leave an impact on appeal than man-made laws. While a small mi- Email: those who have undertaken it. For thirty days nority may find fasting too challenging and abrarhouse Muslims have undergone what could be termed pleasant the majority view its positively espe- @hotmail.com an “overhaul” not only of their body but their cially when they see their waste-line shrinking. Website soul as well. The philosophy of every human Obesity has become pandemic in modern socie- www.abraronline.net experience is to consider it an act of learning ties given the unlimited choices of food and Charity no. 293802 and training. Its lessons must go beyond the snacks. Fasting is one way of combating obesi- time and space of the experience itself. The ty. The fasting person feels satisfaction as habit Ramadan experience is meant to provide an of reduced intake kicks in especially in the sec- opportunity for those observing it as part of the ond half of the month. Islamic approach to create perfection for God- Consumerism thus becomes out of fashion as We stand for: fearing individuals and communities. the fasting person finds it possible to survive at In addition to the classical lessons of hunger much less intake. If the community at large • Inter-faith and inter- and control of the senses, the Ramadan experi- adopts this healthy discipline as a lesson from civilisational dialogue ence entails an eloquent lesson on how to limit the holy month of Ramadan then a good out- the expanding phenomenon of consumerism. come has been achieved. Fasting will be viewed • Respect for the human Mankind must embrace bigger aims in life. as a good contribution to the health of the Um- race and rights They must embody the principles of self- mah (community) and not a burden. This is control to combat consumerism. In today’s what it is meant to achieve; collective aware- • Cooperation for the world health awareness has led to new concepts ness that pushes the community forward to be- good of people of dieting, limiting the intake both in terms of come productive and not merely a consumer. In quantity and content. The ideas of binge eating, addition to the personal and human health the • Moderation excessive intake and uncontrolled material in- environment also benefits from this healthy • Modernity take have become under strict scrutiny. Modern dietary discipline. This is God’s way of bring- ideas emphasise minimizing the quantities and ing the creation into equilibrium and maintain • High standards of sizes of meals. Fatty junk foods are gradually control of the life cycle. spirituality becoming unpopular as people become more This many not be a task for the individual; wid- health conscious. Fasting during the holy month er participation in the process of communal of Ramadan is a powerful means of self- awareness is necessary. Religious institutions restraint. Consumerism must be seen as bad for are capable of undertaking the task of education society, especially as poverty, disease and fam- and planning so that the lessons of the various In this issue ine are becoming everyday reality in an unbal- forms of worship are not only learnt but also anced world. The person who observes fasting implemented. The post-Ramadan tasks are thus Local Events 2 is encouraged by the articles of the faith to con- multi-faceted, pivoting around fasting in Rama- template a holistic approach to religious wor- dan, but going beyond the observance of the Muslim Affairs 3 ship, its aims and means. rituals. Academic institutions must be urged The Muslims are encouraged to look beyond and directed to participate in this task and at- their immediate vicinity and observe the social tempt to reach at a holistic approach to religion Islamophobic populism disparities in the world. To and its various spiritual disci- worries French Muslims 4 refrain from excessive plines. It must be realized that consumption must lead to the main objective of religions Muslims and Free Will 5 controlled habits and de- is to achieve perfection for sires. The devil remains in mankind; this is compliment- Muslim women and pub- chains throughout the peri- ed by re-adjustment of the lic Quran recitation od of fasting in order to environmental approach to 6 make it easy for people to synchronise man’s actions combat its evil gestures. with the natural cycles. This Story: Being hungry and able to synchronization rhymes with My Eid al-Fitr experience 8 maintain that hunger is a the universal prayers singing positive sign that the di- by birds, the howling of winds vine commands are work- and the noisy currents of the ing and that God-revealed seas. This is the way to per- practices have stronger fection. Page 2 Local Events

Imam Hassan’s birth distinction between Badr and Ali. He which is the day of return to God, the was instrumental in the victory of the natural innateness and to start afresh. The Thursday programme of Abrar on Muslims in their first major military Dr Kamal Helbawi 16th Ramadan (29th April) coincided encounter with Quraish. It is said that he expressed sorrow at with two historic events; the birth ad- did half the work in the battle, the other the situation created vent of Imam Hassan ibn Ali (AS) on half was done by the other fighters. The by the pandemic. He 15th Ramadan and the advent of the speaker said the faith of Ali had made said it is a message battle of Badr, the first of the major him an icon of knighthood. He saw his from heavens for warfare in the role as a faithful servant of God. Even humanity to return to history of . when he was pushed aside in the battle its Creator. He said Dr Ali Abdul Fat- of succession of Mohammad, he ignored that Iran had paid tah Hajj Farhood his ego and remained silent in order to dearly for standing up to Palestine and from Iraq talked safeguard the interests of Islam and the raising the banner of Jerusalem. We about Imam Has- community. In the battle of Ahzab later, hope for the success of the Vienna san and the Holy he hesitated to kill the bravest fighter of talks on the nuclear accord. The second Quran. He talked Quraish when he spat in his face. He point is that the Palestinian resistance about the life of retained his composure and controlled has continued despite the odds includ- Imam Hassan and his anger before killing Amr ibn Abd ing the new steps of normalisaton with the care he had received from his Wedd. In the battle of Siffin, he would the occupation undertaken by some grandfather, Prophet Mohammad and stop the fighting at prayers time. The governments. The third is that despite his father, Ali. He talked about the battle of Badr provided us with the high- my disagreement with the Taliban of link between Imamate and govern- est examples of knights who had em- Afghanistan, their intransigence has ance, and then about the place of the bodied faith. The Muslims had limited forced the Americans to take the deci- Quran in the life of the Imam. Imam material power but abundance of faith. sion to withdraw from their country. Hassan did not pursue his right to rule Quraish was at its peak of power and The fourth is that the Muslim republics when he realized how costly to the strength and would not be defeated in which were part of the Soviet Union Muslims was that path to the commu- battle. But the faithful managed to de- returned to their religion after inde- nity. He acted in accordance of the feat them. The element of faith is a pendence. This gives us hope that Jeru- tenets of the Quran which advocate source of immense strength. salem will also be liberated. avoidance of conflict and war when- Dr Mohammad ever possible. He was keen on the Al-Quds Day Hisham Sultan from Quran after the prophet had told the Jordan said that Mus- Muslims: I am leaving behind two The programme of lim jurists forbid deal- weighty things; God’s book (the Abrar on Thursday ing with the occupa- Quran) and my household. You will 6th May was dedi- tion. Israel occupies be guided when you uphold them. He cated to Jerusalem, the holy places in- became attached to the Quran. He the land of faiths cluding Al Aqsa said: This Quran carries the light and whose continued . Its liberation the cure. This needs deep understand- occupation has is the duty of the ing of and attachment to it. He was remained unre- Muslim Ummah. The one of the experts of the holy book, solved. Ayatullah least to do is to stop the normalization having been attached to his father Ali Sheikh Mohsin Al process. We see what is happening at and grandfather, Mohammad. He is a Araki presented Sheikh Jarrah district of Jerusalem to manifestation of this holy book, and religious views on prove that the occupation continues to its verses. The speaker presented sev- the situation. He said the last Friday of expand and displace eral verses to show that the prophet’s Ramadan was deignated by Imam Kho- native Palestinians. household were glorified by the meini as Day of Quds (Jerusalem). In Dr Mohammad Al Quran. Hassan behaved in accordance this respect he mentioned three points: Hassani from Moroc- with the holy text when he faced the that the victory of the believers is a di- co said that whoever Umayyad-led mutiny after the martyr- vine promise and that the Palestinians submits to occupation dom of his father in 40AH. When he must believe this promise. The second is contributes to the suf- realized that Mu’wiyah had managed that any deal with the other side be- fering of the Palestini- to buy off the hearts and minds of comes null and void if that side fails to ans and may become many, he accepted the truce that put abide by it. The third is that hypocrites complicit in the an end to the political and military and traitors must not be allowed to infil- crimes of the occupation. The slogan of strife in the community at the time. trate the files and ranks of the believers. “No submission or humiliation” must The Palestinians must understand that remain high on the agenda. Sheikh Battle of Badr unless this happens the crisis will con- Fawzi Sido from Moscow said that one tinue, and the aggressor will escalate his of our problems in Russia is the emerg- The battle of crimes. The second point is that the last ing power of the pro-Israel lobby that Badr was the top- Friday of Ramadan is an opportunity has made headway. ic discussed by provided by God to those observing the Some Muslim clerics Sayed Jaffar Fad- fast to undertake self-assessment and are now open about lullah from Leba- criticism. Ramadan is the month of re- abandoning Palestine non, the son of pentance and return to God. A believer and acquiescing to Sayed Moham- must re-appraise his deeds, make good the occupation. I mad Hussain Fad- on the mistakes he had committed and hereby address the lullah. He said we ask God for forgiveness. The third is Mufti of Russia to cannot make a that we are awaiting the Eid al-Fitr support Palestine. Muslim affairs Page 3

Hajj (pilgrimage) may be since they were ousted from power in Narendra Modi pressed ahead with a banned for second year Kabul in 2001. densely packed campaign rally. Although the United States did not meet “I have never seen such a huge crowd Saudi Arabia is considering barring a May 1 withdrawal deadline agreed in before!” he roared to his supporters in overseas pilgrims from the annual haj talks with the Taliban last year, its mili- West Bengal state on April 17, before for the second year running as COVID- tary pullout has begun, with President key local elections. “Wherever I can 19 cases rise globally and worries grow Joe Biden announcing that all troops will see, I can only see people. I can see about the emergence of new variants. be gone by September 11. nothing else.” Such a move would restrict the pilgrim- But the foreign troop withdrawal has led As another deadly wave of COVID-19 age to Mecca, a once in a lifetime duty to a surge in fighting between Afghan infections was swamping India, Modi’s for every able-bodied Muslim who can security forces and Taliban insurgents. government refused to cancel a giant afford it, to Saudi nationals and residents Critics of the decision say the Islamist Hindu festival. Cricket matches, attend- of the kingdom who were vaccinated or militants will make a grab for power and ed by tens of thousands, carried on, too. have recovered from COVID-19 at least civilians live in fear of being subjected The catastrophic surge has badly dented months prior to attending. While discus- once more to brutal and oppressive Tali- Modi’s political image after he drew sions about a possible ban have taken ban rule. praise last year for moving quickly to place, there has been no final decision lock down India’s nearly 1.4 billion on whether to pursue it, they said. At least 765 killed since people. Now, he’s been called a “super- Before the pandemic enforced social Myanmar coup: Rights group spreader” by the vice president of the distancing globally, some 2.5 million Indian Medical Association, Dr. Navjot pilgrims used to visit the holiest sites of Security forces in Myanmar killed six Dahiya. With deaths mounting and a Islam in Mecca and Medina for the week more people, taking the death toll since touted vaccine rollout faltering badly, -long haj, and the lesser, year-round um- protests began against the Feb. 1 military Modi has pushed much of the responsi- rah pilgrimage, which altogether earned coup to 765, according to a local moni- bility for fighting the virus onto poorly the kingdom about $12 billion a year, toring group. equipped and unprepared state govern- according to official data. Five people were killed on Sunday and ments and even onto patients them- As part of economic reform plans pur- one on Saturday but documented on Sun- selves, critics say. sued by Crown Prince Mohammed bin day, the Assistance Association for Polit- “It is a crime against humanity,” author Salman, the kingdom was hoping to ical Prisoners (AAPP) said in its latest and activist Arundhati Roy said of raise the number of umrah and haj pil- report. "This is the number verified by Modi’s handling of the virus. grims to 15 million and 5 million respec- AAPP. The actual number of fatalities is tively by 2020, and aimed to double the likely much higher," the group said. Muslim worshippers victims of umrah number again to 30 million by As many as 3,555 people are under de- Islamophobic attack in UK 2030. It aims to earn 50 billion riyals tention and 82 of them have been con- ($13.32 billion) of revenues from the haj victed, while 1,396 people have been Muslim worshippers on 7th May suf- alone by 2030. issued arrest warrants. fered an Islamophobic attack outside an The crackdown in the Southeast Asian Islamic center in east London. 85 killed in Afghanistan girls' nation started just after Feb. 1, when Worshippers and the mosque were pelt- school bomb attack democratically elected state counselor ed with eggs during the assault in the and de facto head of government Aung early morning hours outside the Ilford San Suu Kyi was ousted in a coup and Islamic Centre. The attack occurred detained by the military junta. during the last 10 days of the holy Suu Kyi's National League for Democra- month of Ramadan when Muslims re- cy (NLD) party won a second term in main at from late night into November, but the military said rigging the early morning. of the polls had forced it to seize power. “Today during Taraweeh prayers, our Pro-democracy protests have taken place masjid was attacked by a few burly in cities and towns across the country looking white men, shaven headed, in a since the military takeover. drive past egg attack. They were driv- The death toll in a bomb attack that tar- ing a silver estate car,” according to the geted schoolgirls in Kabul on Saturday India’s virus surge damages mosque that said the attack was caught has risen to 85, Afghan officials told Modi’s image of competence on CCTV and no one was seriously CNN on Monday. injured. “This was an Islamaphobic Another 147 people were wounded in India’s hospitals were packed with coro- attack and highlights that there is still a the attack in front of the Sayed Al- navirus patients, relatives of the sick hate element out there who will try Shuhada school, said Danish Hedayat, scrambled to find supplies of oxygen, their luck at any time so we urge every- head of media for the second vice presi- and crematoriums were running near full one to remain vigilant, at all times,” it dent of Afghanistan. capacity to handle the dead. said as the Center urged fellow wor- A car bomb was detonated in the neigh- Yet despite those clear signs of an over- shippers, to be vigilant and in the pres- borhood of Dasht-e-Barchi, and two whelming health crisis, Prime Minister ence of friends and family. more bombs exploded when students rushed out in panic. There has been no official claim of re- sponsibility yet. The Taliban has denied being behind Saturday evening's blasts. Conflict is raging in Afghanistan, with security forces in daily combat with the Taliban, who have waged war to over- throw the foreign-backed government Page 4 Open Forum

respond to the oppression taking place in Protests held in solidarity with Al-Aqsa Palestine. Demonstrations were held across the UK the innocent and defenseless worshippers This month the Israeli Jerusalem District on Sunday in solidarity with Palestinian which included women and children. Court ruled that Palestinian families living worshippers who were attacked by Israeli The government was also called upon to in the occupied East Jerusalem neighbor- soldiers inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque. impose an arms embargo on the Israeli hood of Sheikh Jarrah must vacate their Organized by the Palestinian Forum in Defence Forces (IDF) to prevent further homes. Up to 60 people, including 17 Britain and other groups, people gathered casualties against Palestinians civilians. children are due to be forcibly removed by outside Downing Street in London and the “Aqsa! Aqsa! Don’t you cry! We will nev- the authorities in order to make way for city center of Manchester to express their er let you die!” the protesters chanted out- the demolition and construction of Israeli outrage toward the violence committed side the prime minister’s residence, waving settler homes. Authorities have also at- against Palestinians in Jerusalem. Palestinian flags and holding placards. tempted to forcefully prevent Ramadan “We stand here today knowing full well People turned out in thousands and while gatherings in and around the mosque and that the occupiers are transgressing observing social distancing rules and wear- in the last two days, the Al-Aqsa mosque against the rights of the Palestinians. What ing masks they portrayed an image of Pal- and surrounding areas were scenes of a is happening in Palestine today, what is estinian unity and solidarity. battleground as Israeli police fired tear happening in Jerusalem today, is the con- “We will demonstrate everyday here out- gas, stun grenades and steel coated rubber tinuation of illegal occupation. It is the side Downing Street until we see real bullets at Palestinian worshippers observ- continuation of the illegal theft of land changes being made,” said one protester ing the night prayers. that began in 1948,” the organizers of the who was draped in a Palestinian scarf. Tel Aviv’s brutal response has provoked march read out a statement. Another attendee said that what is happen- international condemnation across the “We stand here together in solidarity with ing in Al-Aqsa is a “human issue and a test world with many countries calling on Isra- our brothers and sisters in Palestine who of our morality”, adding that the coming el to cease its malign activities and respect are facing a grave injustice at the hands of days will expose nations in how they will international law. Senior UK politicians their occupiers. They are defenseless in have also condemned the senseless vio- the face of bullets, tear gas and grenades lence. The government, however, is yet to yet they hold onto their faith and convic- make a statement. tion that they are fighting against tyranny Over 200 Palestinians have been injured in and injustice and standing up for their the last two days of Israeli attacks on Al- people and others across the world,” they Aqsa and other occupied areas of East added. Jerusalem. The Al-Aqsa Mosque and the The protesters called on the government Dome of Rock also sustained damage, to take action against the Israeli govern- with windows being shattered and walls ment and to condemn the violence against riddled with steel coated rubber bullets. Islamophobic populism worries Muslims in France Praising Strasbourg Municipality in ed this request in March 2021. Muslim community were not normal. He northeastern France for offering 2.5 mil- Sahin said after this move created contro- said the controversial bill against separa- lion euros ($3 million) for the construc- versy, they decided to withdraw the re- tism does not concern Muslims only but all tion of a mosque, Bekir Altas, secretary quest for assistance because elections were religious communities as it violates the general of the Turkish-Muslim associa- approaching and some politicians had 1905 law on secularism. tion IGMG, expressed concern at the ris- turned the mosque into election propagan- “The religion-state relationship is being ing Islamophobic tendencies driven by da. He said that 70% of the construction of reshaped through Muslims. We see that we political exigencies. the mosque was completed and that the are actually in the process of how the un- Speaking to Anadolu Agency during his construction would be completed in a year. derstanding of secularism will be in visit to French city Strasbourg near the Altas, said as presidential elections were France,” he added. German border, Altas also dismissed ac- due in France in 2022, Muslims do not “We see that we are actually in the process cusations against the IGMG by the politi- want to become instrumental in the con- of how the understanding of secularism cians. He said that the construction of the flicts between the two major political par- will be in France. Will, there be an under- Eyup in Strasbourg, near ties in the country. standing of secularism in France that ex- the German border, will continue, even as -Imposition of charter populist decision cludes religion from the public sphere, or its completion needs an additional 8 mil- He stated that the imposition of the an understanding of secularism that coop- lion euros ($9.6 million). The total con- "charter of principles" of Islam in France, erates with religious communities," he struction cost has been pegged to 30 mil- which they refused to sign because it alien- said. Eyup Sultan Mosque will be the big- lion euros ($36 million). ates Muslims, is one of the populist deci- gest mosque in Europe when the construc- Altas said that his organization has re- sions taken by the government. tion is completed. ceived donations from all over Europe for “The state does not interfere with the inter- Built according to Ottoman architecture, the construction of this mosque that in- nal affairs of religious communities in on 15 acres of land, the complex will in- cluded a historical contribution of 2.5 accordance with the principle of secular- clude a mosque for 3,000 people, confer- million euros ($3 million) by the Stras- ism. The state has no say in how a reli- ence halls, a school, and a library, as well bourg Municipality. gious community will train and approve its as a 600-vehicle-capacity car park and a "With this decision, they specifically stat- imams, and in what values it will do its bicycle park. ed that there was no discrimination be- work," he said. tween Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and He said that they faced accusations and Islamic religious communities," he said. criticisms despite carrying out their work President of Eyup Sultan Mosque Associ- transparently and within the framework of ation Eyup Sahin told Anadolu Agency the law. Altas mentioned that Interior Min- that in October 2020, they had requested ister Gerald Moussa Darmanin has drawn a financial assistance from the Strasbourg profile that does not reflect the truth about Municipality for the construction of the IGMG. mosque and that the municipality accept- He said that Darmanin’s actions against Open Forum Page 5

actions – insofar as they were chosen – Muslims and Free Will and as obligatory actions – insofar as Excerpts from article by occurring between voluntary actions they proceeded from a cause produced Maria De Cillis and obligatory ones. by God. Mu‘tazilites and Ash‘arites More specifically, al-Ash‘arī conceived Adopted by the Qom’s theological Around the ninth century, the discus- of capacity (qudra) as an actual power school and the Imamite traditionist al- sion about free will left room in Mus- of causation exercised by a human be- Kulaynī (d. 941), such a doctrine was lim thought for subtle reflection ing at the moment of an event’s realiza- also briefly supported by the sheikh al- about the scope of the human power to tion: “An enabling power positioned Sadūq Ibn Bābawayh (d. 991). Like act (istitā‘a). The debate on predestina- between the two poles of the act.” God Hishām, he maintained that God, whilst tion and free will shifted, focusing on would create such power of causation in being the creator of actions, should not God’s and humanity’s respective the human agent only simultaneously be considered responsible for their reali- spheres of action in originating and with the act’s realization. Being an acci- zation, being only the One who had determining the course of events. dent, however, such causative power knowledge of them from all eternity. By Amongst the Sunni schools of specula- belonged to the being equipped with contrast, sheikh al-Mufīd (d. 1022), who tive theology (kalām), the Mu‘tazilites that power (qādir) i.e. the human indi- belonged to the Baghdad’s Imamite and the Ash‘arites, in particular, felt the vidual, who therefore became school, argued that God could not be need to reconcile the idea of an omnip- its muktasib or the one who actually deemed either the creator of actions or otent God and creator of all realised it. the One wishing wicked human actions. things (human actions included) with Created by God along with the act and In so claiming, he seemed to have bor- the concept of a just God who cannot for the act, qudra becomes rowed from the Mu‘tazilite perspective. make men responsible of iniquitous any qādir’s constituent reality. The hu- In his opinion, the sixth imam’s expres- acts which they never chose or willed, man individual was, however, to be sion lā tafwīd, which denied absolute punishing individuals for actions that conceived of as qādir only insofar as he/ delegation, simply indicated that God had necessarily been imposed upon she was considered the locus (mahall) had imposed a divine law upon humani- them. The vision of the Mu‘tazilite in which the divinely created power was ty. This interpretation is still officially school, focused on safeguarding God’s realised. Denial of the two-staged na- representative of Twelver Shi‘ism today. ethical nature, recognised justice (‘adl) ture of the power’s capacity would also In Ismaili thought, theological and philo- as the true essence of the divinity and then derive from this concept. Indeed, sophical speculations about predestina- explained that God can only do and contrary to what the majority of tion and free will found expression in the only wishes what is salutary for human Mu‘tazilites maintained (namely, work of great thinkers such as, inter beings, ordering that which is good and that qudra, being prior to the act, al- alia, Abū Hātim al-Rāzī (d. 934), Mu- forbidding that which is reprehensible. lowed an individual freely to choose hammad Ibn Ahmad al-Nasafī (d. 942), The Mu‘tazilites directed their attention between realising or not realising the Abū Ya‘qūb Ishāq Ibn Ahmad al- to the concept of qudra, or the power of act itself), al-Ash‘arī insisted on main- Sijistānī (d. around 971), the Fatimid efficient causality, and recognized man taining that qudra began to exist simul- jurist al-Qādī al-Nu‘mān (d. 974) and the not only as a knowing, intending and taneously with the act and that it was missionary” (dā‘ī) Hamīd al-Dīn al- willing being but also as an agent and the cause of one, single event and not of Kirmānī (d. around 1021-22). These therefore as the genuine creator its opposite. scholars all contributed to defining the (khāliq) of his actions. More specifical- “Neither Absolute Compulsion, Nor Qur’anic terms qadā’ and qadar, and ly, al-Jubbā’ī (d. 915-6), one of the Absolute Delegation” established precise points of correspond- greatest exponents of the Mu‘tazilite In Twelver Shi‘ism, the theological ence within the Ismaili religious and school, considered human causality to debate about free will and divine pre- celestial hierarchies. be actually creative, because active destination (tackled mainly during the Expanding the Imamite doctrine of lā independently of God. He identified ninth and tenth centuries) resulted in an jabr wa lā tafwīd, the Ismaili authors of man as the ontological cause of the intermediate position, as evidenced by the Fatimid period argued that although action: the agent that makes it occur. the saying attributed to the sixth human beings were capable of choosing For the Ash‘arites, generally, and for imam, Ja‘far al-Sādiq (d. 765): “Neither between good and evil, they were not Abū al-Hasan al-Ash‘arī (d. 935), the absolute compulsion, nor absolute dele- able to fully grasp the Qur’anic truths in founder of their school, in particular, gation but something in between (lā jabr their exoteric and esoteric essence. Nor on the other hand, the whole question wa-lā tafwīd wa lākin amr bayn am- were they able to distinguish correctly of free will was enclosed within the rayn).”[13] Thus for Hishām Ibn between the precepts and prohibitions notion of divine omnipotence, which Hakam, the imam’s companion, human contained in the religious law or sharia. recognised God as the sole, true author actions were created by God and could Human knowledge, aiming at salvation of every action, good or bad. Under- simultaneously be classified as free and reward in the afterlife, therefore stood as the Creator of the human required refinement. This was offered power of causation, God was thus through the guidance of a hierarchy recognised as the creator of the of divinely designated masters that act or event that was realised included the prophets, their heirs, the through such power. Man was lawful imams and the whole chain of limited to taking possession (by Ismaili religious dignitaries and offi- way of acquisition – kasb) of the cials who, through ta’wīl (esoteric actions created for him by God. exegesis), authoritatively interpreted The acquired action revealed it- the authentic spiritual meaning of the self to be such through the exist- Islamic revelation. Thus the debate ence – in the human being – of a on human freedom was ultimately power, opposite of that ineffectu- reconnected both to the issue of iden- alness that is characteristic of tifying the ethical criteria governing compelled actions: something that action and to the question of religious indirectly inferred the distinction authority. Page 6 Women issues Muslim women are reviving tradition of public Quran recitation By Mersiha Gadzo, 8 May 2021 women and girls around the world, She noted that 1,400 years ago during the Learning to become a qari (or qari’ah for which was previously unavailable. time of Prophet Muhammad, it was nor- females), a skilled reciter of the Quran, “I focused all of my energy and passion mal to hear women reciting the Quran for the holy book for Muslims, is not easy. It into creating something beautiful. I real- both men and women. Their recitations – takes years or even decades of practice ised there were no other female reciters recited beautifully and loudly – would and discipline to master proper recitation here and that I had broken a glass ceil- echo on the streets outside for everyone to and pronunciation known as tajweed. ing,” Javed told Al Jazeera. hear and appreciate. One of these women For Madinah Javed, 25, a law graduate “So my activism with Female Reciters was Umm Waraqa, a companion of the and activist from Glasgow, Scotland, her began to rehabilitate female Quran reci- prophet and one of the few people who journey to become a qari’ah began from a tation. And this beautiful community of knew the entire Quran by heart. She young age when her mother would attend female reciters began online so naturally would teach the Quran to others and her tajweed classes while they were living in and my vision was that it would be a recitations could be heard by those pass- Qatar. As a toddler, she would sit in her place for all women to share and belong ing her house outside. classes and absorb what she was hearing. in order to revive our sacred tradition Javed’s friend Fazeela Selberg Zaib noted Some two decades of training later, the St together as sisters.” a few years ago that scrolling down the Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow invited Reciting the Quran is an important as- list of Quran chapters on Spotify for sev- Javed in 2017 to recite a part of the pect in Islam, especially during the holy eral minutes would not yield a single fe- Quran and share the story of Mary and month of Ramadan, but even on Quran male reciter in the feed. Jesus as a guest for their Christian service apps there have been no female reciters That is why it was an emotional moment The audience was touched by her melod- featured. So in 2015, Jerusha Tanner for Javed when she discovered last year ic recitation, and it was a proud moment Rhodes, associate professor of Islam on Twitter rare and old recordings from for Javed. But when she posted the video and interreligious engagement at the the early 20th century of Egyptian of her recitation online, she did not ex- New York-based Union Theological qari’ahs. For the last eight decades, wom- pect to be met with a huge backlash from Seminary, launched an online petition en’s recitations have been banned from the far-right worldwide. called #Addafemalereciter calling on broadcasting on radio in Egypt. For months she was the target of hate QuranExplorer to add female reciters to “A spiritual lobotomy has taken place messages and threats, so much so that she its app and website. Six years later there over the past century because we should wanted to disappear and change her is only one app, the android QAT that is have a whole trove of recordings of wom- name. The police had her phone number known to have included a female recit- en in our history reciting the Quran but registered, so that if she called they er, the renowned Indonesian qari’ah there’s a gap there,” Javed said, quoting would arrive immediately. Maria Ulfa. Zaib. “It’s part of our tradition. It’s nor- After viewing her recitation online, many Aside from the difference in opinion, a mal… It shouldn’t be an anomaly [in the Muslim women wrote to Javed, saying second reason why Quran apps have not British and American context].” they were inspired as it was the first time added female voices is because there are ‘A blessing to be able to recite’ in their lives they heard a woman recite few female recitations publicly availa- Asma Elbadawi from the UK is one of the Quran in public. ble and not copyrighted, Tanner Rhodes many Muslim women who have posted In many Muslim-majority countries such said. “There needs to be some concen- their recitations online. as Algeria, Nigeria, Malaysia, Indonesia trated effort to record female reciters Tanner Rhodes said in countries such as and Bosnia & Herzegovina, it is common and record the full recitation of the the United States, things have begun to for women to recite the Quran in public Quran,” Tanner Rhodes said. “Because change as larger Islamic organisations spaces for both men and women to hear. it becomes much harder to say no, when now have women recite at their events. But in some Muslim communities in the you can say: ‘And here are three recit- “For women in particular, learning the West, some hold the opinion that women ers’. “Recitation of the Quran, even if Quran is inherently valuable and a beauti- cannot recite for audiences that include you don’t become a qari is obligatory ful thing to do and committing oneself to men, as they see the woman’s voice as and Muslims need to know how to re- learning the practices of recitation, it’s a “awrah”, as part of that which should be cite some of the Quran. Having a diver- form of worship. It’s a very valuable covered. Noticing it was mostly men sity of voice is part of that obligation.” thing,” Tanner Rhodes said. “Reading the posting their recitations online on this For Javed, it was not until she visited Quran is a good thing, and more beautiful side of the world, Javed launched her Bosnia during Ramadan in 2019 that ways that people can do that is benefi- #FemaleReciters campaign that year, she heard a woman’s recitation emanat- cial.” ‘God’s words are perfect’ aiming to encourage Mus- ing from a mosque for the first The movement has spun various initia- lim girls and women to time in her life. tives. The website Amaliah compiled a share their recitations “I just stopped for a moment to playlist of recitations by women world- online, to raise awareness take it in. The Muslim sound- wide reciting “The Cave”, a special chap- and help revive the sacred track is really shown as a male ter from the Quran that is recommended tradition of Quran recita- one. How often do we hear a for Muslims to recite every Friday. tion. woman reciting Quran, let Javed said in places where it is not the Searching the hashtag on alone from a mosque?… I was norm for female reciters to be listened to, Twitter, Instagram or Tik- hearing the recitation so loudly it will take time to make a change. That is Tok now reveals a collec- and beautiful and clear. It was why she tries to visit as many communi- tion of Quran recitations by just amazing,” Javed said. ties as possible, speak to people, and raise awareness. She has given Quran recita- tions worldwide including at the British Museum and at the Scottish Parliament. Javed said she was always taught to love reciting and it is a blessing to be able to do so. “God’s words are perfect them- selves and we’re just trying our best to recite it.” Off the Shelf Page 7

From Sheikhs to Sultanism globe."-- Frederic Wehrey, Senior Fel- low, Middle East Program, Carnegie Statecraft and Authority in Saudi Arabia and the UAE Endowment for International Peace "In this impressively written and metic- Christopher M. Davidson tanism puts forward an original, empiri- ulously detailed book, Davidson pro- Muhammad bin Salman Al-Saud and cally grounded interpretation of the rise vides rich and comparative insight into Muhammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the of both MBS and MBZ. the two men who, between them, have respective princely strongmen of Saudi Reviews and Awards reshaped--and look set to dominate-- Arabia and the UAE, have torn up the "A remarkable volume from one of the regional politics in the Gulf for the old rules. They have spurred game- most provocative and original scholars foreseeable future."-- Kristian Coates changing economic master plans, pre- of Gulf Arab politics. Davidson fuses a Ulrichsen, Fellow for the Middle East, sided over vast anti-corruption crack- sweeping and critical literature survey Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice downs, tackled entrenched religious with detailed empirical research and University, and author of Qatar and the forces, and overseen the mass arrest of fresh theoretical insights. This is a must- Gulf Crisis critics. In parallel, they also appear to read for all those concerned with author- "With this new book, Davidson contin- have replaced the old 'sheikhly' consen- itarianism's dynamism around the ues his tradition of posing provocative sus systems of their predecessors with questions about Gulf politics. Examin- something more autocratic, more per- ing technologies of power and political sonalistic, and perhaps even analytical- authority, he provides absorbing insight ly distinct. into the evolution of two of the most These are the two wealthiest and most influential states in regional politics. A populous Gulf monarchies, and increas- must-read."-- Simon Mabon, Professor ingly important global powers--Saudi of International Politics, Lancaster Uni- Arabia is a G20 member, and the UAE versity will be the host of the World Expo in Christopher M. Davidson has long- 2021-2022. Such sweeping changes to standing research interests in the com- their statecraft and authority structures parative politics of the Gulf states, and could well end up having a direct im- was previously a reader at Durham pact, for better or worse, on policies, University and an assistant professor at economies and individual lives all Zayed University, UAE. His publica- around the world. tions include Dubai: The Vulnerability Christopher M. Davidson tests the hy- of Success; Abu Dhabi: Oil and Be- pothesis that Saudi Arabia and the UAE yond; After the Sheikhs: The Coming are now effectively contemporary or Collapse of the Gulf Monar- even 'advanced' sultanates, and situates chies; and Shadow Wars: The Secret these influential states within an inter- Struggle for the Middle East. national model of autocratic authoritari- Publisher: Oxford University Press anism. Drawing on a range of primary Hardcover 240 Pages $45.00 sources, including new interviews and ISBN: 9780197586488 surveys, From Sheikhs to Sul- Published: 01 June 2021

stand better the complex relationship The Islamic Enlightenment between the Muslim world and moder- The Modern Struggle Between Faith and Reason nity. While both Islamic extremists and Western bigots find it convenient to Christopher de Bellaigue stress the incompatibility of Islam and The Muslim world has often been ac- modernity, Christopher de Bellaigue cused of a failure to modernise and shows that Islam is whatever Muslims adapt. Yet in this sweeping narrative make of it, and that at least some Mus- and provocative retelling of modern lims have made of it something very history, Christopher de Bellaigue charts modern. the forgotten story of the Islamic En- YUVAL NOAH HARARI author of lightenment – the social movements, SAPIENS and HOMO DEUS reforms and revolutions that transfig- Christopher de Bellaigue was born in ured the Middle East from the early London in 1971, and was educated at nineteenth century to the present day. Cambridge University, where he read Modern ideals and practices were em- Iranian and Indian Studies. Between braced across the region, including the 1995 and 2007, he lived and worked as adoption of modern medicine, the a journalist in south Asia and the Mid- emergence of women from purdah and dle East, writing for The Economist, the development of democracy. Guardian and the New York Review of The Islamic Enlightenment looks be- Books. He is the award-winning author hind the sensationalist headlines in or- of four books and has made several der to foster a genuine understanding of BBC television and radio programmes. Islam and its relationship to the West. It He lives in London. is essential reading for anyone engaged Publisher: Vintage in the state of the world today. Paperback 448 Pages £11.99 An eye-opening, well-written and very ISBN: 9780099578703 timely book, which can help us under- Published: 22/02/2018 Page 8 Words of Faith

.9He knoweth the Unseen And that A Day of Celebration – Memories of My First Eid which is open : He is *Idris Tawfiq different “sittings” to accommo- the Great, the date all those wanting to pray. most High. I remember during my first Remember, I had never before .01It is the same (to Ramadan, going to Mosque been able to attend Friday Pray- Him) Whether any for prayers and being very ers in congregation, so this was of you Conceal his conscious that I should per- the first time I had seen so many speech or Declare form them properly in front it openly ; Whether Muslims gathered together to he lie hid by night of other Muslims. pray. It was such an inspiration to Or walk freely by As you become more accus- be present and to know that Allah day. tomed to the practices of had called me to be a part of this Islam, what other people .00For each (such great Muslim nation. person) There are think about how you are The prayer hall was filled to ca- (angels) in succes- performing the prayers be- pacity. My heart was full of emo- sion, Before and comes quite unimportant. tion as the imam called out for behind him : They You grow into being a Mus- the first time “Allahu Akbar,” guard him by com- lim. But, at the beginning, and all the worshipers repeated mand Of God. Veri- many new Muslims don’t know many people after him. I was at first disappointed that the ly never Will God at the mosque, so they are cautious about khutbah was given in Arabic, since I couldn’t change the condi- how to act — rather like a child on the first understand a word and I wanted to understand tion Of a people day at a new school. everything about Islam, but it was repeated in until they Change it themselves (With My first Ramadan had been a special time. English and I ate up every word. their own souls). Fasting from dawn to sunset was totally new. Celebrating and Fun But when (once) Breaking the fast at a prescribed time was When the prayers were finished there was a lot God willeth A peo- also new. In England, of course, Friday is a of handshaking and embracing. “As-salamu ple’s punishment, work day, not a holiday, and since I was `alaykum” and “`Eid mubarak ” could be There can be no teaching at a school, it was never possible to heard from every corner. To add to the festivi- Turning it back, attend Friday Prayers. ty of the occasion, everyone present was given nor Will they find, My First Eid the gift of a package of books about Islam, besides Him, Any to As a result, visiting the Mosque to pray with presented by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I protect. other Muslims during Ramadan was espe- still treasure those small books as part of the 12. It is He Who doth cially meaningful. Just when I thought I had journey which led me to where I am today. show you The understood Ramadan and got into the rhythm I traveled back home feeling good, and had lightning, by way of fasting and praying, the holy month was breakfast with my Muslim neighbors from Both of fear and of over and it was time for something else that hope : It is He Who Egypt. The children couldn’t contain their joy doth raise up The was new: Eid Al-Fitr. at showing off their new clothes. Their moth- clouds, heavy With I left home in what seemed the middle of the er, already busy in the kitchen preparing for a (fertilising) rain ! night and took the underground train to festive lunch of lamb and rice, came out only Baker Street, the closest station to Regent’s briefly to exchange `Eid greetings, before go- (al ra’d, The thunder) Park. I had been told that Muslims dress in ing back to her kingdom of pots and pans, their best clothes for the Eid Prayers, so I ready to serve a lunch fit for kings. had put on a suit and tie and polished my www.abraronline. shoes until I could see my face in them. It *Idris Tawfiq was a British writer, public net was a very cold morning, so I also wore a speaker and consultant.. He became a Muslim This is our website. new coat. How surprised I was with the sight in 2005. For many years, he was head of reli- when I reached Baker Street Station and be- gious education in different schools in the Have visited it: It gan the short walk to the mosque. United Kingdom. Before embracing Islam, he will put you face- Walking in throngs in the same direction was a Roman Catholic priest. He passed away to-face with an al- were Muslims of every nationality, each in in peace in the UK in February 2016 after a ternative world, full their own traditional dress. There were Arabs period of illness. and Turks, Indonesians and , Nigeri- of spirituality, mo- ans, Pakistanis, and Bengalis. If you have no obstacles in your mind, rality coupled with In fact, it seemed as though every race on then outer obstacles will not hinder modern outlooks earth was represented. Young children, quite obviously in brand new clothes, clutched the you or cause you worry! and perspectives. UNKNOWN We want to hear hands of mothers and fathers. Elderly grand- parents in their best attire, perhaps reminding your views on its them of a childhood in some foreign land, If you correct your mind, the rest of contents, layout walked proudly by their side. It was an your life will fall into place. and general quality. amazing sight. What was even more amazing was that Brit- LAO TZU ish policemen were stopping the traffic so Join us in our Noon that this rich assortment of Muslims could Keep a tight security on the gate of and Afternoon cross the street to get to the mosque. your mind so that only positive prayers I had never seen so many worshipers in the thoughts are allowed to enter and only Everyday prayer hall. There were quite literally thou- sands, with mats outside for thousands more. words of wisdom are allowed to exit. at 13.00 In fact, the Eid Prayers were staggered over UNKNOWN