Manhiyyat Prohibitions in Islam (P/B) (IIPH)

Seerah and Biographies

The author presents a penetrating diagnosis of the illnesses of humanity today, together with a fascinating overview of the Islamic metaphysics, unearthing its spiritual and moral values and its timeless relevance and applicability. Man and universe is a compelling and urgently needed piece of writing about what we human beings are, where we stand, and what we can do about it.

According to a well-known hadith, cleanliness and purity are half of the faith. It is obligatory for a Muslim to be clean and in a state of purity in order to offer formal prayer and recite the Quran by way of ablution, a ritual shower, or dry ablution. Purity and cleanliness encompass both physical and spiritual aspects. Physical impurities can be removed by clean, pure water or dry, clean earth or stone, and this is a beginning step for spiritual cleanliness. In the Purity of the Muslim, Saeed al-Qahtani explains in a clear and comprehensive manner the types of various impurities and the ways to attain purity and cleanliness according to the teachings of the Quran and of the final prophet, Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

This book, authored by Luqman Nagy, is an introduction to the history and legacy of the great translation movement that began at the Bayt al-Hikmah in ninth century Abbasid Baghdad and culminated centuries later in Spain, with teams of Muslim, Christian and Jewish scholars translating works of Greek and Islamic science from Arabic into Latin. These translations became the first scientific textbooks to be used at many European universities. This wealth of knowledge that was made available in Latin helped initiate the Renaissance, or ‘rebirth’ of learning in the West.

Are things inevitably getting worse and worse, year after year, century after century, with no way to alter the course of events? Is the Muslim Ummah doomed to experience failure and humiliation until the Mahdi arrives? Will he restore its former glory and bring victory over all its enemies? Are all our efforts to support Islam destined to end in failure? Instead of taking action, should we simply wait for the return of Jesus (peace be upon him) towards the end of time? Is the Dajjâl (Antichrist) alive today? Does he have secret connections with some prominent world figures? Is the hour very close? Could it come upon us at any moment, on any day? If so, what is the point of striving to improve our situation?

Using evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, the author explains the true Islamic teachings on the portents of the hour, clearing up some of the misconceptions about them and giving advice on how Muslims should respond to them. The book is an interesting and informative read that will leave the reader empowered with knowledge.