Has Modern Education Killed Our Relationship With Learning?
At the heart of every civilisation is education. A society's capacity to flourish depends on people's pursuit of knowledge, yet modern education faces challenges on several fronts: over-examination culture, a decline in critical thinking, dependence on artificial intelligence and the rising cost of higher education. Studying is no longer about intellectual growth, but a means of obtaining employment. This has weakened our relationship with knowledge. This article examines the ways in which modern education has failed contemporary learners, reflecting on the purpose of education and the value of knowledge.
The Islamic Golden Age: How Faith Fuelled Innovation
The Golden Age was the peak of intellectual creativity. It produced famous figures like Ibn Sina, Al-Khwarizmi and Ibn al-Haytham. But the most important question is not what they achieved, but how Muslim societies could produce so many innovators in the first place. Creativity rarely emerges from isolated geniuses. We all have the capacity to learn, create and innovate, but the conditions must be right. This is through society establishing institutions, incentives and a shared value system which produces talented people. This article looks at religiously driven knowledge production in the Abbasid Golden Age, and how it fuelled creativity.
Harun Al Rashid: The Caliph of the Golden Age
Harun al Rashid is a figure of legend, known for his portrayal in A Thousand and One Nights, whose reputation is fused with history and folklore. While he did not politically advance the Abbasid caliphate, his investment in arts and culture contributed to the Golden Age in the Islamic world, later influencing Europe. However he also faced internal strife through uprisings, political turmoil and Byzantine invasions. This article attempts to capture the true nature of Harun al Rashid’s caliphate and his impact on history.
When Man Tries to Become God: Fi'raun and the Psychology of Tyranny
What happens when kings call themselves gods? How does power transform leaders into tyrants? The story of Fi’raun provides a striking answer. Not only did he reject Divine authority but he elevated himself to the status of god, demanding obedience to consolidate his grip on power. This article explores leaders’ fascination with self-deification and how worshipping human desires gives rise to oppression and tyranny.
Reviving Dār al-Arqam: The First Islamic Institution
Dar Al Akham was Islam’s first educational institution, serving as a religious and educational hub for the first believers. It helped foster community and a shared value system to form a new Islamic movement. It continues to provide a contemporary framework on how to create God-centred and politically conscious spaces to solve societal ills.
The American Crusades: Why the Crusades Never Ended
The era of Crusades never left the West. The language has changed but the beliefs remain the same. A desire to conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Muslim world and rule over the East is what sparked the 11th century Crusades. This belief has persisted in the modern day through the US-Israel led invasions of the Middle East that seeks to fulfil a Messianic prophecy. This article outlines how the Crusades are ongoing and how Europe’s mentality towards the Muslim world remains in the Middle Ages.
Ibn Sina: The Father of Modern Medicine
Ibn Sina رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ - known as Avicenna in Europe - is considered one of the most famous Muslim physicians and philosophers. Ibn Sina’s legacy captures the spirit of the Islamic Golden Age: fusing piety and intellectual curiosity that propelled the ummah to its greatest heights.
Qutayba ibn Muslim: The Commander Who Took Islam to China’s Gates
Al-Walid ibn Abdul Malik’s caliphate was a legendary age of conquest. Qutayba ibn Muslim رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ was tasked to venture into Central Asia and took the Muslim armies to the borders of China. A master of diplomacy who commanded a multi tribal alliance, Qutayba ibn Muslim reshaped the lands of Samarkand, Bukhara and lands across Transoxiana. This article explores his conquests, alliances and sincere jihad in the cause of Islam.
Muhammad ibn Qasim: The 17-year-old General Who Brought Islam to South Asia
Muhammad ibn Qasim رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ was a legendary youth commander who helped spread Islam into the Indian subcontinent. Following the footsteps of Usama ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه in age and military leadership, he represented the best of youth in service to Islam. In only three years he conquered Sindh and spread justice in a far land. From conquests to diplomacy, this article examines Muhammad ibn Qasim’s political legacy.
Tariq ibn Ziyad: The Conqueror of Andalus
Tariq ibn Ziyad رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ , the freed Berber slave of Musa ibn Nusayr, was responsible for bringing Islam to Andalusia. A pious and competent general, his victory ended the oppression in the Iberian peninsula, his army reaching the borders of France. This article explores his legacy, beginning with the early North African conquests, entry into Iberia and the Muslim’s victory at the Battle of Guadalete.
Barsisa: The Monk Who Traded Paradise for Zina
Barsisa had been a pious worshipper known for his devotion to Allah. His story is told by the People of the Book, whose life was ruined after falling into zina (unlawful sexual intercourse). His story is a cautionary tale on free-mixing and succumbing to Satanic desires. But what happens when society itself promotes zina?
The Destruction of Ad: Why Power Always Corrupt Elites
Power is an addictive force. It transforms the weak into the strong, the average man into a warrior and a small village into a mighty nation. This was the case for the people of Ad but was also the reason for their downfall. In particular, their tribal chiefs rejected Prophet Hud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, and lead a hostile campaign to discredit him. But why were they hostile in the first place? What stopped Ad’s chiefs from engaging with their prophet and accepting Monotheism?
Paganism, Witchcraft and Satanism: The Historical Origins of Feminism
A hundred years. That’s all it took for feminism to dismantle societal structures lasting civilisations. It has forever altered how we view gender, family and power dynamics. But despite its popularity, few understand the spiritual side of feminism. Every movement needs a set of values, often derived from spiritual and religious sources. Feminism is no different. It is a spiritual movement with a political face.
Goddess Worship, Misandry and Promiscuity: Feminism in PopCulture
Feminism and pop culture go hand in hand. In the 2010s, the ‘girl-boss’ era featured a carousel of celebrities urging women to become loud, side-hustling CEOs. But what is often portrayed as empowerment exploits women - selling a fantasy wrapped in anti-male messaging. The previous article Historical Origins of Feminism explored the ideology’s roots in witchcraft and paganism, alongside its aims to revive goddess worship. This article analyses how the same themes exist within contemporary pop culture, particularly Hollywood and the music industry.
Imam al-Bukhari: The Scholar Who Preserved Hadith
Imam al-Bukhari was a pious hadith scholar whose legacy is entrenched in his famous work known as Sahih al-Bukhari. A hero of Islam, he protected the Sunnah at a time of falsehood and uncertainty. He lived by the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings in both character and actions. Today, he remains a timeless example of righteousness, piety and devotion. This article observes the incredible life of Imam al-Bukhari رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ .
Julaybib: The Companion Bullied for his Looks
Julaybib رضي الله عنه was a unique companion of the Prophet ﷺ who was overlooked in society. Judged for his appearance and alienated by men, he nonetheless continued to strive for the sake of Allah سبحانه و تعالى. As a result, he was honoured with martyrdom and the pleasure of the Noble Messenger ﷺ. In his brief story, he successfully transcended societal labels to prove that beauty does not define a person’s true character. His legacy provides timeless lessons about self confidence and how to respond to negative societal labels. This article analyses Julaybib’s story and what his life teaches about self image in the modern age.
How the People of Nuh Predicted the Modern Da’wa Scene
The life of an Islamic da’ee (preacher) is one of sacrifice and patience. Prophet Nuh عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ demonstrates this, who preached for almost 10 centuries for the sake of Allah while facing rejection and opposition. An overlooked point is why the people of Nuh rejected their prophet - his lack of popularity. The people’s understanding was that a preacher needed to be famous, wealthy and in the company of the rich.
Western vs Islamic Education: Do We Have to Choose?
Should Muslims pursue only Islamic education, or secular Western education? This question is often considered by Muslim parents when planning their children’s schooling. The answer arguably lies in Islamic history, which offers many examples of righteous Muslims who successfully engaged with both systems, each serving distinct purposes and goals. This article explores the history and aims of modern Western and traditional Islamic education, and examines how engaging with both can benefit contemporary Muslims.
Prophet Ibrahim and The Hidden Cost of Blind Compliance
The story of Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is a lesson on the dangers of compliance culture when a society is collectively on a path of falsehood. When idolatry was entrenched in society, Prophet Ibrahim faced pressure to conform but relied on sound judgement and Divine guidance to expose the truth. This article exposes how blind loyalty leads to corruption and how all Muslims have a responsibility to enjoin good even in times of widespread evil.
Muʿāwiyah ibn Abu Sufyan: Founder of a Dynasty
Muʿāwiyah ibn Sufyan رضي الله عنه was a skilled statesman with a incredible career spanning 40 years. Descending from a powerful political family, he ruled for 20 years as caliph - longer than any sahabah, and stabilised the empire after a turbulent civil war. He founded the Muslim navy, oversaw military expansion, and introduced strong social reforms. Yet much of his achievements are overshadowed by criticisms after the assassination of Caliph Uthman رضي الله عنه .