A large number of Islaamic writings in recent times lack the
correctness and preciseness of a true Islaamic approach. They suffer
from two major problems:
- Unconcern about the importance of relying only on authentic
evidence, particularly in quoting hadeeth1. Thus some conclusions
that they reach, and some principles that they establish, are, in the
least, of doubtful validity.
- Replacing the glorious thought and sound understanding of the
early great pioneers and scholars of Islaam (the Salaf
 ) by
inferior opinions and speculations of later scholars.
These problems led to the following serious consequences:
- A deformation in some of the fundamental beliefs for the majority
of Muslims, including many who are regarded as scholars.
- Practicing Islaam in a way that conflicts with the teachings of Muhammad
 .
Through the ages, only few true scholars (`ulamaa' ) have directed
their efforts to correcting these problems through reviving the
authentic Sunnah and fighting bid`ahs. Their efforts have always been
greatly countered and fiercely rejected by their contemporaries. But
there is no way to stop truth from spreading, and Allaah's Light will
surely be complete and prevalent. These `ulamaa; (may Allaah bless
them and reward their efforts) have produced marvelous writings that
have rectified the Islaamic beliefs and practices.
Very little of these great writings have been translated to English,
or have been resorted to in English writings on Islaam. Thus a good
deal of the existing Islaamic literature in English suffers from the
two problems cited earlier. It also suffers from additional problems,
mainly:
- Many writers have had a shallow Islaamic education. They had
to self-educate themselves to meet the requirements of Da`wah in the
West. But their education has not been, in general, adequate enough to
qualify them to write on Islaam.
- Some non-Muslim scholars and orientalists have volunteered to
write on Islaam. Despite their wide academic knowledge, their writings
on Islaam are usually charged with obvious fallacies and prejudiced
misinformation.
These problems have caused a further deviation from the truth in many
of today's English writings and talks on Islaam.
This publication is, therefore, a humble
response to our realization of a great responsibility: the
responsibility to help bring forth, before the general English
speaking public, writings that refine the Islaamic concepts from the
above problems and present Islaam pure and simple, as close as
possible to the way that it was understood and practiced by its early
good pioneers - the Salaf.
- Hadeeth: Reports of the Prophet's sayings, actions, and approvals. - Back to text
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