YBN

  The relationship between faith and society has always been a matter of keen debate. There are those that have valued faith for the ethical and moral authority it yields, while others have singled it out as a source of conflict and bloodshed. Using the definite article, the author asserts that, according to Fatimi philosophy, the spiritual and temporal worlds are like twins. In order to understand this relationship, it is first necessary to comprehend what dīn is, and how [...]

In this verse, the author stipulates that if laws and statutes fail to align themselves to fiṭra - the natural order, then they will be susceptible and ultimately collapse. The use of the metaphoric winds of destruction razing a structure can be said to allude to the Quranic parable of a tribe named ʿĀd and a City of Pillars called Iram. Allah states, ‘Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with ʿĀd? [and] with Iram, [a city] of lofty [...]

In this verse, three propositions are made: the natural world functions in a well-defined and orderly manner, a system is required to govern mankind’s life in this world and the more these laws conform to the natural order, the more facilitative they will be and the easier they will be to uphold. The initial verses of this ‘Philosophical Discourse’ reveal the existence of a clearly defined natural order. In verses 6 and 7, the parallel drawn between the intellect’s capacity [...]

In the introduction to the first volume, Amir al-Jamea Shahzada Dr Yusuf bhaisaheb Najmuddin QR expressed his intention to further explore the literary devices used in this ‘Philosophical Discourse’. The parallels drawn between faiḍ – divine grace – and the rays of the sun enable one to understand the abundance of faiḍ, its continued immanence and its centrality in sustaining Creation. The verse uses two descriptions of faiḍ. First, the word jār which is usually associated with a flow, like [...]

Numerous verses in the Quran call upon us to acknowledge Allah’s countless blessings and express our gratitude for them: These verses establish that Allah Taʿālā: is the source of all blessings, has blessed man with an array of blessings that are beyond count and comprehension, and has directed man to express his gratitude for these blessings, despite his incapacity to even count them, and in return has assured him of further blessings. Allah’s blessings are so all-encompassing that Amirul Mumineen [...]

By using the fāʾ al-sababiyya (the letter fāʾ as a particle of cause) at the beginning of this verse, the author states that man should venerate the Almighty for He has created him in a perfect form. In verses 21 to 29, he has outlined the means through which man can offer such praise: by (1) venerating his Creator, (2) enlightening his soul, (3) comprehending the capacities of his intellect, and (4) realising his true value. The author also asserts [...]