The line in the sand - Part 7

Schools of Thought

Quran and Sunnah are the two main sources of knowledge for the believer. Revisiting earlier points is an important reminder that your love for Allah and His Prophet (Muhammad ﷺ) determines how you approach your life and your adherence to Islam. Many are guilty of interpreting hadith and certain rulings to suit their understanding. “We hear and we obey” is overlooked, dismissed.

In an environment in which nothing changes, the literal understanding and application of rulings is much easier. However, the world is made up of multitudes of people from different backgrounds, simply meaning ethnicity, culture and language. With the expansion of Islam came new situations and challenges. While we can say people are ultimately the same, there may be some nuances. Referring to the sources of knowledge in Islam being Quran and Sunnah, the changing landscape created a need for the interpretation of the main sources as new situations arose. When everyone agrees, then the solution is easy. There may, though, be instances where there is no consensus, then what? I am paraphrasing some of the texts of history. The evolution and development of the Islamic legal system and jurisprudence is a subject on its own, far beyond a few paragraphs. The point is that in the first few centuries of Islam, there were certain developments which led to compilations of books and schools of thought, generally known as a madh-hab.

Beyond that lay a dangerous beast. Before, we get into that detail, it must be pointed out that there are four madhahib (pl of madh-hab) prevalent today. However, there were many more that did not survive for many reasons, not one necessarily better than the other. Understanding how matters developed during the period in which these madhahib were given life, you cannot incline to rigidity in any one madhab. This refers to acting in a way or believing that one is right and the other is wrong. These schools of thought did not come to change the shari’ah but came to bring a level of understanding to it. Therefore, the many sins being committed have not been made permissible by any of these schools of thought. Their basis is Quran and Sunnah. Thus, the rulings on tabarruj, dress-code, haircuts, dating, etc have not changed. On the matter of rigidity, sometimes people question you if you do an act of worship slightly differently and will then continue to suggest that you have formed a new madhab. The important thing is to learn and, therefore, if an act or action falls within the framework of the teachings of Islam, it is acceptable. This needs discussion for better understanding. Stick to your madhab, but if someone does one permissible act outside of the madhab, it does not mean that they do it blindly. Overlook or try to understand.

The one who learns and seeks deeper knowledge will incline to study more in depth and will seek out proofs so that he/she continues to strive to follow Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the best way possible. The imams of the madhabs were firm on all aspects of the deen, not only fiqh.

See next: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-line-in-sand-part-8.html

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-line-in-sand-part-6.html

The line in the sand - Part 5

 

Integration follows Allah’s warning in Quran that the Jews and Christians will never be satisfied with you, the Muslim, unless you follow their way of life. You pray, you fast, you give charity, you perform pilgrimage, so surely you cannot follow their way?

This is how they see it anyway and they surely want you to give up on your beliefs. However, Islam, being a complete way of life and that the role of the Muslim, as one who submits to Allah, is to establish the good and forbid the evil. That is a huge analysis on its own and a course that, if not yet designed, then must be presented to all of us. Earlier, we mentioned dress-code which should also include the term tabarruj. Many people who will claim to be hijabi’s are, in fact, not hijabi’s because they do not fulfil the criteria. Yet they still remain the target of non-Muslims and specifically, Islamophobes. Are the males in the clear concerning their dress-code? Hint: have you seen a male bowing or prostrating in prayer while their back (the awrah) is exposed? This is but an example. Are these examples an indication that, in some way, Muslims are sinful in these aspects and incline to practices conflicting with Allah’s laws? Does not the honey that satan has placed before you, then grow tentacles? How much more do Muslims imitate non-Muslims, and then look for loopholes to do so? Music? Besides listening to it, attending concerts, promoting it, being well versed in the lyrics while, by their actions, taking Quran for a joke.

Marriage: the path to it, the preparation for it and understanding the rights of husband and wife. Do you not find, very often, that people quote non-Muslims on the rights of the spouses while what is quoted is contrary to Islam? Have we crossed that line in the sand? The list of transgressions is ever growing. Of the biggest problems that beset us, is pride. What are the reasons for this? On the one hand, we can and must question this, but, on the other hand, it is not necessary to wait to find all the answers and then get into a state of analysis paralysis. Rather, the simple answer is that a simple question must be asked: “Am I Muslim?”. From this will spring forth other simple questions and answers. Islam is easy. What does it entail to be a Muslim? What is the purpose of life (on earth)? From where do I take my knowledge? And a few more questions like that. Those with pride will justify clinging to every deviating path, at the head of which is a satan. Those who humble themselves before Allah, will strive to follow our illustrious leader, teacher and guide, sent by Allah Almighty. We make no apologies for being Muslim and holding firmly onto the rope of Allah and being a follower of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Reflect and connect with true guidance. Unlearn and relearn. Imbibe the knowledge that will grant success, in this world and beyond. Be constantly aware of that line in the sand that you stay on the path of guidance. Ditch pride to the extent that people might mock you for not being fashionable, for not being with it or even for not being traditional. Act only for Allah’s sake and always call to His guidance in the best manner possible.

See next: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-line-in-sand-part-6.html

See previous : https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-line-in-sand-part-4.html