About Me
Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips is a Jamaican Canadian Islamic Scholar who converted to Islam in the early seventies after journeying from Christianity to Communism. Shortly after his reversion to Islam, he embarked on another journey to the other side of the world seeking Islamic knowledge which took him to Saudi Arabia where he completed a BA in Madeenah, and an MA in Riyadh, then to the University of Wales, UK, where he completed a PhD in Islamic Theology in the early nineties.
After graduation, Dr Bilal became a teacher of Islamic studies for 10 years in an Islamic High School, Manaret Riyadh, and a lecturer of Arabic and Islamic studies in the American University in Dubai, UAE, for another 10 years. During his 10 years in the UAE, he also founded the Islamic Information Center in Dubai, and during his subsequent 6 years in Qatar he was the Islamic consultant for the Islamic Information wing of Sheikh Eed Charity in Doha and founder of the Islamic Studies Academy.
He has written, translated and commented on over 50 published books on various Islamic topics. He has also edited and published the 56 book Eemaan Reading Series for children and presented Islamic programs for a number of years on Riyadh Channel 2TV, Sharjah TV for ten years, as well as Peace TV, Huda TV, Islam Channel, UK, and the Deen Show, Chicago, USA.
In 2000 Dr Philips founded the Islamic Online University offering free Islamic courses and a BA in Islamic Studies to over 20,000 registered students from over 160 different countries world wide. He is also the founder and former head of the Islamic studies department of Preston University (2002), Ajman, UAE, the founder and head of the Islamic Studies Academy (2007), Doha, Qatar, the founder and head of the English medium Islamic studies department of Knowledge International University (2008), Riyadh, and head of the College of Da’wah and Islamic Culture (English Section 2009), Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan.
Most recently, Dr Bilal was appointed the director of PERF [Professional Education and Research Foundation] and supervising director of Preston International College and Al-Fajr International School, Chennai, India.
AsalamAlykum Br.Bilal,
I am planning to go for Haj this year. Can you kindly do a video series on do and don’ts of Haj. You were also planning to publish a book on Haj, not sure if it was published or not . If its not possible which book/resource do u recommend.
Furthermore, do you plan to travel to uae anytime soon. When can you come here. Do you have any such plans?
Would appreciate your reply.
Akhi,
Yousuf
Assalam alaikum Sheikh
Apologies for posting such a lengthy question about the meat situation in the uk, & which is not in relation to your blog. At the time i could not find anyone else to ask.
I have a new question in relation to your books. There is a website that i will not name here, that hosts many books including many of yours in pdf format. Usually these books are found in the shops & you have to pay for them. They are downloadable for free. Are your books copyrighted, its handy when they are in electronic format.
Assalam alaikum. Br.bilal, I would like to learn more about islam and meet ladies who have converted to Islam ,please guide me to find such institute or place in Sharjah Uae.I would realy appreciate . thnx .May Allha bless us all.Amin
Dr. Billal,
I saw a CD which had the recording of your Da’awah in Doha at Sheraton hotel. I must say I was really impressed with your concept of worship. You said one who thinks of money & runs after it in reality is worshiping money. Here I clearly understood in Islam worship is an attitude and not a ritual. You had given beautiful talk on Islam.
I am not a person of your stature but I have something to say about the light in which you mentioned the word ” Linga” during your speech. Your smile indicated you have wrong understanding of the same. And you had asked the people to go and refer it themselves. Undoubtedly you got some dirty meaning. In context of scriptures & religion it is totally wrong.
I am not denying Islam as a great religion but before you speak anything about other religions please study them well. When any non Muslim criticises practices of Muslims, people like you are quick to say ” do not judge Islam by what Muslims do”. Why don’t you people think that the same holds good with other religious groups.
I have heard from many people that to understand Quran correctly one has to learn Arabic & also study Tafseer. Though I did not learn Arabic I studied Quran along with tafseer & sahih bhukari. Please ,know that same holds true for the study of any scriptue. It is important to learn the language of any scripture before you understand the complete meaning.
As Vedas are our scriptures one is required to know Siksa(phonetics),Vyakarna(grammar), Chandas (prosody),nirukta(etymology),jyautisa (astronomy), kalpa( which prescribes the ritual for ceremonial or sacrificial acts). After the study of these begins the study of Vedas. Each Veda takes almost 12 years of study. After that comes the study of smritis & shrutis.
To even have a perception of the word “linga” it requires some study in Sanskrit. Sir, may I ask you if you have done so?
As a follower of sanathana dharma I am obliged to be with Truth. I don’t have to do any Da’wah as Truth stands out as clear as day light. It can stand by itself.
There so much flasehood being spread by Dr. Naik and other Daayis about Hinduism that it is sickening to see the learned men doing it in the name of their deen.
One more thing sir, it is ok to speak about greatness of Islam but it is not at all ok to speak lowly of other religions, specially about the one you have neither studied nor practiced. Because this, i do not know how far will convey the message of Islam but I am sure will sow the seeds of bitterness amongst different communities.
Sir to which ever religion we belongs “we reap as we sow”. Quran confirms it again and again. There can be real submitter in Hindus Christian, Jews etc. At the same time there may be many who are not so in the so called muslim community.
To my understanding Muslim is a arabic word for ” peaceful & complete submission” It is not a name of one paticular religious community. That is the reason I think, it is called a religion of Universal brotherhood. But are Daayis conveying this message? They only want as many people to say the two lines of Shahada end increase the enrollment in mulsim community.
Do this. But not at the cost of earning bitterness of other groups.
Dear Dr.Bilal
I read Dr. Maurice Bucaille’s book which name is
The Quran and Modern Science
and I need a hard copy in arabic in arabic if it is avilable you can send it to me to the follwing address:
National Council of women
20,El Ashgar St.
Mohandessen
Giza
Egypt
My Name is
Karam Abdel Malak
wa alaykum salaam.
I am not aware of a hard copy in Arabic of Dr Bucaille’s book.
Greetings Sita,
I am glad that you benefited from my lecture on “Is there a True Religion”. As to your comments concerning my understanding of “lingam” and “Shiva Lingam” and the idol which represents it and “Yoni” as its base, you did not provide the correct interpretation in your long comment. In order to correct misunderstandings, you should provide concisely the correct understanding rather than spaceous comments about my lack of mastery of Sanskrit or my need to study other religions in depth before commenting on them. For your information, the information which I have about “lingam” was written by Hindus. Among the most detailed explanations found in official (non-Muslim) sources is a major article written in National Geographic on Benares by a Hindu researcher in which the commonly understood meaning of lingam (which as as one of its meanings “symbol”) as “erect penis” is confirmed, and “Yoni” as the lips of the vagina is also confirmed. To further underscore this point, let us go to a Hindu website dedicated to Shiva worship: http://www.mahashivratri.org/about-us.html
In the “About Us” section it states:
Mahashivaratri is the most significant festival for the millions of Lord Shiva worshippers in India. Lord Shiva devotees celebrate the festival with faith and reverence and observe a fast on the day. Through this dedicated web site on Shivaratri Festival, Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India (SCFI), wishes to pay its tribute to the devotion and faith of Hindus in Lord Shiva. By highlighting various relevant aspects of the festival, the society endeavors to create awareness about Shivaratri Festival in younger generations.
Contact Address:
Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India
B-30, Kendriya Vihar, Sector: 51
NOIDA, UP-201301, India
Email: scfifestivals@gmail.com
The authors of the site go on to give the various meaning which Hindu scholars have given for shiva lingam. I hope that you will clearly – even if painfully – note that the more popular understanding held by Hindu religious scholars (the first 3 out of the 4 understandings given) is the same which I understood and “smiled about”. Here is what the website said:
Various Interpretation of Shiva Linga
Besides regarding Shiva Linga as the symbol and form of Lord Shiva, religious scholars have given various interpretations of Shiva Linga. Here is the brief description of some of the popular theories and interpretations related to Shiva Linga and its origin:
Worship of the Phallus
According to some scholars, worship of Shiva Linga in effect means worship of the reproduction function. For, they say that the other meaning of the Sanskrit word ‘Linga’ is gender in general and phallus (the male reproductive organ) in particular. They believe that the base of the Lingam corresponds to the Yoni which mean vagina or the female reproductive organ. Correspondence of Linga and Yoni in a Shiva Linga is therefore interpreted as the representation of the process of copulation. Scholars further opine that the Kalash (container of water) that is suspended over the Shiva Linga from which water drips over the Linga also correspond to the idea of intercourse.
Connecting the origin of Shiva Linga to the early Indus Valley civilization, scholars opine that tribes of the Indus Valley took to the togetherness of Lingam and Yoni in a Shiva Linga as the point of energy, creation and enlightenment.
Interpretation in Tantra
According to Tantra, Lingam is a symbol of Shiva’s phallus in spiritual form. They say, the lingam contains the soul-seed within which lies the essence of the entire cosmos. The lingam arises out of the base (Yoni) which represents Parvati according to some or Vishnu, Brahma in female and neuter form according to others.
Interpretation in Puranas
Puranas, especially the Vamana Purana, Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Matsya Purana and Visva-Sara-Prakasha attribute the origin of Shiva Linga to the curse of sages leading to the separation of and installation of the phallus of Lord Shiva on earth. Some also refer to the endlessness of the lingam to be linked to the egos of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.
Interpretation of Shiva Linga as an Abstract Symbol of God
Some scholars of the Hindu scriptures say that Linga is merely an abstract symbol of the God. They point towards several legends in Hinduism where a sundry rock or even a pile of sand has been used by as a Lingam or the symbol of Shiva. Citing a particular instance they say, Arjuna once fashioned a linga of clay when worshipping Shiva. Scholars of Puranas, thus argue that too much should not be made of the usual shape of the Lingam. Scholars say that the interpretation of Shiva Linga as an abstract form of God is also consonant with philosophies that hold that God may be conceptualized and worshipped in any convenient form. The form itself is irrelevant, as the divine power that it represents is all that matters. Scholars thus say that Sivalinga represent the formless Nirguna Brahman or the formless Supreme Being.
I hope that you can accept the facts as they are, and not how you would like them to be.
Regards
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam Sister Shahnaz,
Please contact Dr Fahmeeda Khan for information about ladies programs in the UAE. Her contact number is: +97167473638
Assalmulekum,
My name is Sana. I’m a 22 year old girl from Pakistan. I’m desperately in need of your help, please please please do reply me. The thing is that we bought a house few years ago it was a small house and when we were about to move there we were afraid that out stuff will not fit in there but when we did move there everything fitted quite easily we were shocked and happy to see this, I don’t know that if it’s just our thinkin or what but we thought that maybe there are some good jinns here or something then after that we started to feel things too but nothing ever harmed us and we ignored it all too. But by the end of last year I went to the trip that was arranged by my college when I came back I had a hue fight with my mum for no reason and when I went to sleep I wasn’t able to move I felt like something is holding me and it is not letting me speak but my sister was awake and she noticed it and woke me up…I got scared but i ignored it too, I thought that maybe I was dreaming or something but the little thing kept happening then one day my sister and I was talking by the swing someone shhhshed us but I kept ignoring all this because I never really believed in all this. Well by the end of March a cat came to our house she was pregnant she was in terrible pain she was scared of us and wanted to run but she couldn’t due to her pain….I love animals I gave her some milk but she was is so much pain that she didn’t drink it then after a couple of days she came again this time she was fine and we knew that she has given birth to her babies somewhere I used to ive her milk everyday and she started coming to our place regularly she started to come close to us but still didn’t let us touch her then after sometime we were allowed to touch her too, I feel in love with this cat and I’m sure that she loves me too.After somedays she got so much attached to it that we allowed her to come inside our rooms,lounge ect and she used to sleep in our lounge all day and then in the eveing when we used to open the door she used to leave for her kids. Then suddenly my family decided to leave the city and everything was set and we were ready to go but I was very worried about the cat as she was so used to us, but my mum said maybe we’ll take her with us. We left the city for two days to check things out but something happened and we came back but our plan was still on that we’ll soon leave but when we came back this cat brought her two little kittens with her to our place and started living here. My mum loves animals but she can never allow the wild cats to live inside our house or rooms but she fell in love with her too due to her good manners she never disturbed us or our things and we took care of her babies as our own babies and now I’m so attached to this family that I can’t leave them. The problem is that few days a go my mum gave some chicken to the cats they were in the lounge then she came to our room and we heard a very horrible voice from the lounge we got scared but I told mum to ignore she’s abit superstitious she started getting suspicious of the cats that maybe they are something else but I convinced her, still I knew that she’ll keep thinking of this. Then few days ago I was trying to sleep in the morning I heard someone blow his/her nose but there was noone with me and everyone else was asleep. I went to sleep and forgot about it and didn’t tell my mum but when I woke up my mumsaid that she has heard someone blow his/her nose three or four times then I got abit scared but I ignored it too as we know that jinns also live with us. My everyday routine is that after fajr I go to feed the cats and play with them for sometime and then go back to sleep they know my timings and they wait for me too. Today when I went to feed them with my sister the cat wasn’t home but her kids were lying in the courtyard and there were white feathers of chicken everywhere I was surprised to see this then I thought that maybe the cat went out during the night and brought it but the thing was that there were just feathers no blood or other parts of the chicken then one of the baby started chewing the feathers my sister tried to stop her but she didn’t stop and started to make horrible sounds while chewing the other kitten got scared of her too but I still ignored it cause I thought that maybe cats make sounds like this when they are angry but my sister was not convinced so she asked me to close the door and come with her we were still trying to figure out that what just happened but then I heard our cats voice so I said to my sister that shes back we should go see her as she plays with us and she’ll wait for us so we went again now this time we opened the door the cat came inside and rubbed her body with her feet and then went out this was unusual as when she comes inside she doesn’t want to go out infact she asks for food but she didn’t I said to my sister that maybe she caught this chicken and she is full now and all three of them were out now we were standing there trying to call them when we heard the same horrible sounds four five times but this time it wasn’t coming from the cats but from somewhere near us and we wasn’t able to see that who was makin the sound we got scared and left the cats and went to our room.I didn’t know what to do so I woke up my mum when I told her this she packed our things and brought us to a hotel and she will not let us go back home she wants to rent a home now she said that she’ll never take us back there but sir what about the cats,how will they survive those babies have never been out in the sunlight they can’t jump.This cat lives in the house all day never leaves the house and if she does that too for a couple of minutes. Now my mum thinks that maybe someone is doing black magic on us or there is something evil in the house or that this is not a cat it is somethingelse she is saying that it’s not normal to get attached to it this much and she has never seen such a well mannered cat she thinks that I’m under some trance or something that I love her so much. She called some ulemas here and they advised her to sale the house and get rid of the cat but sir she’ll die without us I’m ready to do everything but I can’t leave her I am very attached to her. Please tell me what to do…do you also think that everyone is right and I’m wrong? Please sir help me.
As Salam Dr. Bilal. One of my uncles is facing problems. He is behaving very eccentrically and is slowly staying from religion.
He used to be steadfast in religion but suddenly changes are over him. The night before, two of my other uncles followed him out (he usually ventures out late) at around 3:15. It was in their dismay, they told me, they had seen him pray in an isolated place, which was near the beach. He was shaking all round. It wasn’t that which scared them, the place he went to was a scary place, no one ventures to because of many incidents occuring there.
After that, he went back home and so did my other uncles. They said it was around 5 when he did. After he came back he started on a rampage and started behaving wildly. He even nearly stuck my pregnant aunt, his beloved sister who got a shock.
My dear father and mother, (may allah guide them and protect them) went to his house to aid him. I was ordered to stay at a distance with my two younger brothers, my cousin and my frightened aunt.
My father later said, he was angry and refused to read quran. My grandfather however, recited quran but he did not respond that wildly. he just grinned and stood up, and then didn’t sit down until after a while when my father forced him to. Also, he said strange things. he said ” I battle Jinns and I still will.” “I will leave earth without any satanic whisperings”
It was during the possessed state he said those things. Also, once, he anger, he ordered us to bring my cousin, my pregnant aunt’s first child who is just 3 to him. When refused, he started pointing at my aunt and scared her by saying “Jinn will possess you and your child”. By child, no one knew if it was the unborn or the 3 year old.
My mother thinks that he may be a bit confused as no one can truly escape the satan (as he came to our prophet Muhammed (pbuh) at his death). Also when he said ‘battling jinn’ she thinks he maybe resorting to some means of challenging them.
My grandmother who lives with him, said he recites surah Jinn frequently, comes home late, never goes for friday prayers and sits outside, usually during the period of Magrib and Isha.
I am truly scared and because dua’s are failing to assist him, I need to know whether if it is a mental illness or Jinn Possession. Mental illness I say because, he often thinks far. Such as, he refuses to take jobs because he say some jobs may be using haram money, he is continually fasting, now it has been more than 4 monthes since he started! Also, he believes he can enter paradise without satanic whisperings by doing this. He once told me proudly, he was one day, going to become a muslim leader. I thought imam and I asked so but he said of all muslims! i thought about the fasting and refusal of jobs and I know its going too far.
So may I have help? How do I know whether he is a bit confused or possessed by evil Jinn?
Salam alaikhum,
Dr. Bilal,
Many times I have been questioned by my non muslim friends regarding the importance of Hadees.
We practice few things which are not mentioned in Al Quran. Sometimes, even I feel we are giving equal importance to Quran & Hadith.
By doing so are we assosiating our prophet( peace be upon him) with Allah as a patner?
Kindly throw some light regarding the same.
Assalam alaikum Sheikh,
Kindly answers four of my questions in the light of Quran and hadieth. I would be very thankful to you. The questions are:
1- Is it good or bad to get married in month of Sha’baan ?
2- Is it good or bad to get married in month of Ramazan ?
3- Which verses of Quran state the obedience of husband to wife? Thatthe wife once married shall obey the husband and respect him even if he is not good.
4- If the ultrasound in early months of pregnancy spot out that the baby inside womb is not normal, Will it be ok to get it aborted? As most of the doctors say it OK.
I am waiting a cordial reply,
Regards,
Ali
Assalmo-alaikum Dr. Bilal. I am a psychologist by profession. I retired as Professor/Director Centre for Clinical Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan in August 2008. my Ph.D. is in Educational Psychology from Fordham University, New York City. My husband Saad Rahman is a businessman. My husband and I are planning to start an Islamic School: LAHORE MAKTAB in Lahore, our hometown in Pakistan, starting with the Junior Section in early next year. We have already started construction of the Junior Block comprising of 25000 square feet in one acre of land which should be ready by the end of this year. The school is all self financed and we plan to run it on a NON PROFIT Basis. We plan to provide quality education in an English Medium School with an Islamic Umbrella. We also plan to provide written and spoken fluency in Arabic Language; in English and in our mother tongue Urdu Language. We intend to have 80% Curriculum in regular Matriculation subjects and 20% Curriculum based on Quran and authentic Hadith. I was going through the website of Al Fajr International School in Chennai India. I found your name linked with that School. I was wondering if you could also visit us and see our project and link us with your Educational Islamic Set Up? It will be a great honour for us.
I am “following” this blog.
wa alaykum salaam Sister Dr Nosheen. Ramadaan mubaarak. Sorry about the delay in responding as I have been on the road for the past 2 months in Canada, Ireland, Malaysia and Indonesia. I would be happy to visit your school in Lahore as an Islamic consultant and supporter. Please view my video on islamization of curriculum: http://vimeo.com/7943289. You may call me at: +97455834013 or email me at aabphilips@gmail.com
wa alaykum salaam Dr Nosheen. I was also wondering if you would be able to teach one of our Psychology minor courses offered at my university (www.islamiconlineuniversity.com)?
Salaam alaykum brother Ali. Ramadaan mubaarak. There is nothing particularly good or bad about marrying in Sha’baan, Ramadaan or any month of the year. Obedience of the wife to her husband is spelled out in the Sunnah, not in the Qur’aan. The Qur’aan states generally that “Men are in authority over women”. The Prophet (pbuh) on the other hand stated, “It is the right of the man that he be obeyed.” However, this is if the marriage is proper and functioning normally, and it should be noted that obedience is only in things which don’t go against the commandments of Allah and His Messenger (pbuh). If the husband is evil and doesn’t provide for her, she is not obliged to obey and respect him. She would be advised to divorce him, if he refuses to change.
As to abnormalities in the child discovered by ultrasound or otherwise, it will depend on their severity. If they are minor, abortion should not be done. However, if abortion is done before the end of the 4th month, when the human soul is infused in the fetus, it is, according to most scholars, disliked (makrooh). However some scholars regard it as haraam then also. After the fourth month, it would be definitely haraam, unless the woman’s life is threatened.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
Salaam alaykum Sister Firdaus. Ramadaan mubaarak.
Allah in the Qur’aan said, “Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.” He also said to the Prophet (pbuh), “I have revealed the Reminder (Qur’aan) to you in order that you clarify for people what was revealed for them.”
That is why the Prophet (pbuh) said, “I’ve left two things by which you will never go astray if you adhere firmly to them: The Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”
So, there is no shirk in obeying the Messenger, and there are many things to follow taught by the Messenger (pbuh) which are not mentioned in the Qur’aan. For example, the Qur’aan tells us to pray, but does not tell us “how” to pray. The Prophet (pbuh) gave us all the details.
wa salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam Sister Lamya. Ramadaan Mubaarak. Regarding your uncle. You did not mention if anyone was doing Ruqyaa on him. Get a reliable shaikh, known for following the Qur’aan and Sunnah to do it for him regularly. Soorah al Baqarah should be read in his home every three days. Soorah al Faatihah should be read over him also. Get Ajwaa dates and give him every morning (8 pieces).
He should also be taken to the hospital for testing to determine if he has a physical/biological condition.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam Sister Sana. Ramadaan Mubaarak. The decision is yours. However, if your local scholars advised you to sell the house and leave the cats, and they are reliable Qur’aan and Sunnah scholars, then it would be best to take their advice.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
assalaamonalika !! brother bilal phillips….I reside here in the us….I was introduced to your lecture several years ago and maashallah I am hooked on it…you brother zakir naik and last but not least our dear brother imam anwar al awlaki are of great lecturers ….I have watched all I mean all your lectures and made written points in spreading the concept of oneness of god ….the idea god creates doesn’t become its creation is usually the urgument which I usually start explaining my christian brotherns and its always pauses them to ponder hard….well the question is I would love to meet you in person be iznillah ….are you comming any time to the u.s inshallah..??? please advise…jazakallah…and ramadhan karim….
I want to ask one question. Plz reply me.
Last month i collect some Miracles of Allah like Allah is written on many things on earth Like on brinjal, animals skin, fruits ,But I was surprised to see Om is written on brinjal. Can you please tell me the meaning of Om and what it describe.
thanks
I want answer from Dr Bilal only..
thanks
salaam alaykum Hefza, First and foremost, I don’t know what “brinjal” is. But the so-called miracles seen in coincidental physical formations are not miracles at all. That is why you are faced with the “miracle” of “OM”. These quirks of nature are not to be taken as miracles at all, but mere coincidence. The miracle left by the Prophet (pbuh) is the Qur’aan itself. Its literary, historical, scientific, and other miracles.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam. I won’t be coming any time soon to the USA as I’m on a no-fly list which doesn’t even allow me to fly over american air-space. However, you can meet me on youtube, here on the blog, on twitter, and most importantly in my lectures at http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com where over 40,000 students from 199 of the 203 countries in the world are studying.
Asalam-o-alikum…
I was refering to the Eggplant..On youtube someone posted the video of Eggplant where Om is written by the seeds..
thats why i was asking..plz reply..
thanks.
In response to your last message sir,
Actually, they did Ruyqyaa. The thing is, he refuses for a Sheik to be near him and he refuses to step out of the house as well…
Ramadhan Mubaarak sir,
I want to ask sir, whether Allah will accept the repentance of a person who might have commited minor shirk without knowing she was doing it, whether he will forgive that person since have strayed from his path of a bit………..
Dear brother, Assalaamu alaikum
I read your book “The Evolution of Fiqh” (3rd edition), and I found it to be very informative, Alhamdulillah.
However, the book contains typos and grammatical mistakes, and it would render the book much more appealing if we could eliminate these.
I have given a few examples of the typos here:
Page 10, line 10: “…hadiths were alluded to…and or referenced” > “…hadiths alluded to…and/or referenced”
Page 11, footnote 1: “…a scholars’ opinions” > “…a scholar’s opinions”
Page 13, line 1: “The former position…the Sunnah” > Sentence incomplete.
If you would like a full copyedit of the book, I would love to do it. (I work in the epublishing-prepress field and was a copyeditor for a major part of my career. )
Wassalam
Jamal Mansur
Chennai
Salam alykum,
Im writing from australia. SubhanAllah me any my family wants to thank you for all the guidance you are giving us.Jazak Allah.
Im writing this to enquire something. My brother just left from India to Toronto for his education. I really want him to join some Islamic group and find an accommodation with truly practicing Muslims. Since you are the only source we know who has lived in Toronto , can you please name a good non-deviant Organization.
Seneca is the college he will be going to inshaAllah and probably will be staying close to there.
Salamu Alikum Sheikh, Is there anyway for me to contact you by email, I need advice, urgently? and there seems to reply or feedback from anyone I have contacted or asked for help! Jazzaka Allahu Kheeran and May Allah grant you a place in Jannah and reward you for all the hard work you are putting in, in this Dunya.
wa alaykum salaam. Eed mubaarak. You may contact me at aabphilips@gmail.com
wa alaykum salaam. Eed mubaarak. There are many good centers in Toronto. Among them is Abu Hurayrah Center, Khalid Bin Waleed Center and Salahuddin Islamic Center. He may contact any of them and get involved in their programs.
wa alaykum salaam Jamal. Eed mubaarak. I would greatly appreciate your full copy edit of the book. Jazaakumullaahu khayran and for any of my other books that need it. But make sure that it is the latest edition published by IIPH and not one of the earlier editions.
Also, I’m sure we could use your voluntary services on the IOU emagazine which we plan to launch soon. If you’re up to it, please contact Sister Ruksana at ruksanabutt@gmail.com
was salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam. Eed mubaarak. If the repentance is sincere, He will forgive it.
Eid mubaarak dr. Bilial. I wanted to ask if someone lies for fun and later realizes how much trouble it caused, if he repents then will Allah forgive him?
Dear brother, Assalamu alaikum
I saw your reply to my comment regarding copyediting for your book. It would be great if I could get a Word file or PDF of the latest version of the book. Electronic copyediting makes for better quality of editing, as well as rendering the other processes such as reviewing, storage, etc., easier. Would you be able to arrange a PDF of the latest edition? Or direct me to where I can obtain the PDF? Or would you prefer that I contact sister Ruksana for this one too?
Wassalam
Jamal Mansur
asa, juat a reminder. my comment is awaiting moderation since the beginning of ramadan. jzk.
Salaams Dr. Bilal,
First of all May Allah bless you for you knowledge and iman and your blessed ability to guide so many of us. Ameen
I have an issue and if I wasn’t so desperate I wouldn’t write it publicly. Its related to marriage and how for the past 5 or so years I have been trying to convince my parents that marrying who I want is good for me and I just want their blessings. However, they are forever adamant about how who they choose is best. I agree parents know whats best for their children. But in this case, who i want is of all people my fathers sisters son. And they are a very very very simple family who live back in my home country (Sri Lanka). We on the other hand have lived abroad our whole lives, and have been in Abu dhabi for the past 12 13 years. I am 21, andIm currently tryin to finish my last year in university, but because of my parents desperate measures to push me into accepting a current proposal which i am really not interested in i am afraid even my education will be stopped. I tried talkin to them, i tried… im lost. They do extend to the level of beating to get what they want, and thats what happened to me last year when i clearly told them i wanted to marry who i wanted. My mum is highly concerned of how the community would react and my dad i am unsure of why he is so adamant about this. I was also taken to uk last december to see another guy, where it was so difficult for me but by Allahs grace i turned it down.
Dr., i dont want to go against them, but I cant marry someone I dont want. I have genuinely tried looking into 3 4 proposals, but I couldnt say yes. My hearts just not in it, and Im so terrified. The current proposal they expect me to go live in New Zealand, i have made it clear to my parents that I dont want to live in a non muslim country other than Sri Lanka, and that I am not comfortable in those countries.
I prefer my hometown. they dont take me seriously. They just dont listen.
I am lost Dr.
I don’t want to come off as though I am talking bad about my parents, they have given me alot but they cannot seem to understand that I just want a normal down to earth life rather than something big and rich and fancy.
Hes not good enough for my parents cos theyr too religious for my mum, (his sister and mother both wear the niqab and my mum doesnt like it much), and my dad doesnt see eye to eye with his father because he doesnt make much money being a government doctor.
As a guy individual, he is pursuing a career in islamic banking just like my father. He is qualified in CIMA as well.
I could go on, but apologies for alreayd for making this so lengthy. I do hope I receive a response, I am terrified. And I need to get out of this soon, I want to end up happy and with a blessed marriage. Theres so many hadith and sunnahs I am to fulfill. I am not sure if i do one its disobeying the other.
Please help me.
jazakAllah
Salaams
dear Dr Bilal
I have contacted you a few months ago through website but no reply received I sent again , may be your staffs ignore it or it went into junk mail. I wrote to you about Islamic schools in Burma (myanmar) to introduce your Diploma course.
I wishnI can talk to you on mobile Phone If you have time.
Dr Ebrahim from malaysia
wa alaykum salaam. You may contact me at +974 55834013
wa alaykum salaam. Your choice seems correct. Do not marry those you have no interest in. Be patient and get the help of some of your elders or others whom your parents respect who can see your point of view.
wa alaykum salaam. Sorry if i missed it. Perhaps you could resend it.
Assalamu Alaikum,
Hello. My name is Jacob Haddad. About nine months ago, I accepted Islam.
However, since then I have been having some problems.
You see, before I accepted Islam I was a devout atheist/agnostic. And also I hated Islam. I was a devout adherent to the anti-Muslim Islamophobic fanatics Robert Spencer, Pamela Geller, and others. I idolized Richard Dawkins and others who stood up to religious “abuse, fundamentalism, superstition,” and the like.
Recently, I have come across a number of sources that have directly and quite bluntly attacked Islam. They are atheists and have referred to Islam’s scientific claims to be erroneous, they have humiliated a brother, and in many other ways have launched a direct assault on Islam.
My question(s) is to you then, how do I refute individuals and groups who attack Islam? especially the atheists? You see, I want to become an Islamic scholar and also become professional in Dawah to atheists, but I have absolutely no idea where to start. I want to refute the allegations against Islam, such as that historically it encouraged racism, oppression of women, persecution of non-muslims, slavery, and so forth. I want to become a good Muslim and defend Islam and bring many people to Islam, especially atheists.
I am greatly in need of help, so in addition, here is my e-mail address so you can contact me, if possible with your response: jhaddad21@yahoo.com.
Thank you and may God reward you for your efforts.
wa alaykum salaam brother. I advise you to join the Islamic Online University and study Islam in depth. Your focus should first be to know Islam in order to practice is as completely as possible. Then you should teach it and in the process of teaching it, you can defend it and clarify misconceptions. Our brother Hamzah Tzortsis is one of the best debaters against the atheists – he has numerous videos on youtube.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
Assalam alaykum sheikh
I’m planning to go for Hajj this year insha’Allaah. I will be travelling with Sheikh Abu ‘Abdissalam insha’Allaah. Do you have any resources you would recommend or have written? Currently, i’m planning on taking the following:
1. Main Hajj Book http://www.al-hidaayah.co.uk/a-manual-on-the-rites-of-hajj-by-said-alqahtani-ka8789.ir?cName=-hajj-umrah This is the book i prefer. The benefit is that it as about 80 Duas near the end (which you can use on days like Arafat) and it is written by the same author of the ‘Fortress of a Muslim’
2. Flip chart http://www.al-hidaayah.co.uk/hajj-and-umrah-made-easy-by-dr-taqi-hashmi-and-adnan-malik-ka8797.ir?cName=-hajj-umrah you can wear this round the neck and flip through the steps easily. Benefit of this, over the booklet, is that the paper seems laminated and the steps are clear and in colour, with diagrams
3. Booklet http://www.al-hidaayah.co.uk/hajj-pocket-guide-by-muneer-ismail-davids-ka8799.ir?cName=-hajj-umrah - This is good to refer to, but you have to open it to see the inside. the flip chart is easier insha’Allaah
4. Fortress of a Muslim http://www.al-hidaayah.co.uk/fortress-of-the-muslim-hb-by-said-ibn-ali-alqahtani.ir?cName=-hajj-umrah
5. Quran with translation: I’m taking one that i found in a shop. Its a tajweed Quran with translation and is not too big. Insha’Allaah it will be ok to carry.
Barakallaahu feek.
Sheikh are you going for hajj? It would be nice to finally meet you insha’Allaah
wa alaykum salaam. Your choices of books for Hajj seem good. As for me, I should going for Hajj this year – in shaa allaah, leading a group of around 250 muslims as i have done in the past 5 Hajjs. Hope to see you in Makkah or Mina, bi ithillaah.
AsalamAlykum Shiekh Bilal,
InshaAllah i am going for Haj this year from 29th Oct till 12 Nov. I wanted to know if i can be part of your group so as to benefit from your knowledge. Can we have you contact no in Saudi, if we want to join your group. JazakumAllah Khayran.
Salamalikum Sheikh Bilal,
I have couple of questions in regards to Haj, I will appreciate if you can clarify :
1. Do we have to pray Nawafil Salah in Mina,Muzdalifah,Arafat ? Or we only pray the compulsory prayers shortened .?
2. Can we comb our hair when in Ihram ?
3. Our hotel operater has told us that he will make us leave from Mecca to Mina on 7th Night and not after fajr of 8th Morning ( HAJ) , Should we go with him or go alone ( walking ) , My parents will are also with me , is it correct for me to leave them alone in this case and come alone walking ?
InshaAllah , i hope i see you in this Haj also, May Allah(swt) bless you.
Salamalikum Wa Rahmatullah
Salam alaykum dr. Bilal I am a 28 years old student and i’m originally from morocco but i am born and grown up in germany. I have a big problem and i hope you can help me to make the right decision. My parents are divorced since 14 years and really religious (7amdullah) and i love and respect them very much, but there’s problem. There is that man i love and i would like to marry and i told my mother this friday about that. Now it seems to be an issue, because he is black and my parents don’t want me to be with a black man. My father is verx extreme against black people in our family and he will neve allow that and my mother seems to have the same opinion, what makes me wonde, because she has two ghana friends. I’m so sad because my parents always teached us the best from islam, told us to have respect to other people, to be honest, fair, friendly, to believe in god in jenna and jahnam, to do the ramadan, to pray and to live halal. What is honestly a little bit difficult because most of my friends are non muslims, but very very good people! My parents are very religious especially my mother and i love my religion too. I have no doubt. But in this point they are not fair and i think its so anti islam, to think so racist. Is it right to judge a person because if his skin colour? He is a good man with a heart of gold and had a hard life. He is from ghana and his mother gave him away when he was a little child to a german family. So he is adopted. They werent many black people in that time, in that city, So he was always different to the people and had bad experiences in school etc. he never had the feeling of peace in him because no one looked like him, not even the woman that raised him. Three years ago he converted to islam (al 7amdullah) because he has arabic and turkish friends. He speaks arabic and turkish too. He gave himself the name bilal, maybe because of his skin colour and maybe because of his voice. Emanuell is a musician and has a beautiful voice.He is trying hard to be a good person and would do everything just to be happy and to find peace in his heart and in his life. He is treating everyone with respect. He doesnt know how my parents reacted and i cant tell him, because i am ashamed that my parents are that time, in that city, So he was always different to the people and had bad experiences in school etc. he never had the feeling of peace in him because no one looked like him, not even the woman that raised him. Three years ago he converted to islam (al 7amdullah) because he has arabic and turkish friends. He speaks arabic and turkish too. He gave himself the name bilal, maybe because of his skin colour and maybe because of his voice. Emanuell is a musician and has a beautiful voice.He is trying hard to be a good person and would do everything just to be happy and to find peace in his heart and in his life. He is treating everyone with respect. He doesnt know how my parents reacted and i cant tell him, because i am ashamed that my parents are that racist and i wont hurt his feelings because his skin colour has always been a topic in his life and it wasnt easy for him. I dont want to disrespect my parents but i also dont want to reject him but i always dont want to do haram! I never had a boyfriend in my life and never did something with boys even aaaall of my friends had boyfriends, but i always try to live a halal as possible. Please tell me something, its so unfair and cant be islam if i cant be with him because of colour. Please tell me what to do. I respect you so much, i watched almist all your videos on youtube and it would help me a lot to hear your statement! Hope to year from you, salam alaykum!