Articles

The Social Function of Writing and Authorship
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 07-08-2024

Writing and authorship serve several functions that authors need to consider, such as compiling scattered information, clarifying ambiguities, or solving problems, among others. However, a group of Muslim scholars viewed a completely different function: the social function. This means that the purpose of authorship is to provide a service to the community and the nation, not just to students of knowledge. These services vary depending on the issues the scholar views as requiring solutions. Following are three examples to illustrate and explain this point:


First: Imam Abu al-Maali al-Juwayni (d. 478 AH), known as Imam al-Haramain, authored his famous book "Ghayath al-Ummam fi al-Tiyas al-Zulm" based on a premise: What should be done if a time is devoid of scholars and jurists? He addresses the concerns of the nation and provides solutions to this problem that a community might face. This demonstrates a thoughtful approach that serves the community by identifying a problem and proposing a solution. He states: "Let it be clear that the basis for the Sharia is its transmitted sources, and those who bear its burdens are those capable of ijtihad, who embody the highest virtues of piety and righteousness. They are the pillars and supports. If a time were to be devoid of such pillars and supports, then I would adhere to the principle of patience and caution. I wonder what will the devoted do when the sea of corruption swells? When people substitute extremism and negligence for the path of moderation, and Muslims are afflicted with scholars who are unreliable due to their corruption and ascetics who are not to be followed due to their laxity! Will there remain any path to guidance, or will people be lost in chaos, neglecting their direction, and rushing towards ruin?"


Second: The "Hujjat al-Islam" Imam al-Ghazali (d. 505 AH), the student of Imam al-Haramain, who follows the same path. It is likely that this concern for the nation and society was transmitted to him from his teacher. Imam al-Ghazali, when he observed that most people had turned away from the path of the Hereafter and followed their whims and desires, and that their time had deprived them of true inheritors of the prophets, leaving the era devoid of those who guide to Allah, except for whom Allah wills, sought to address this gap. He aimed to correct the course of the nation and Muslim societies through his valuable book "Ihya' Ulum al-Din". The "Hujjat al-Islam" says: "The guides on the path are the scholars who are the heirs of the prophets. The time has been devoid of them, leaving only those who are merely pretenders. Most of them have been overtaken by Satan and misled by tyranny. Each one has become engrossed in his own immediate gains, seeing good as evil and evil as good. Thus, the knowledge of religion has become obscured, and the beacon of guidance on the earth has become dim... As for the knowledge of the Hereafter and what the righteous predecessors practiced, which Allah has described in His Book as understanding, wisdom, knowledge, light, and guidance, it has become forgotten and neglected among the people. Given that this is a serious breach and an alarming issue in religion, I saw it necessary to engage in compiling this book, aiming to revive the sciences of religion, reveal the methods of the early imams, and clarify the benefits of useful knowledge as understood by the righteous predecessors."


Third: Shaykh al-Islam, Imam Taj al-Din al-Subki (d. 771 AH), to address a question that resonates with people and impacts their lives: How can one return blessings after losing them? He discusses the responsibilities of craftsmen, officials, and merchants, and what pertains to each of them. He summarizes this in the introduction to his book "Mua'id al-Ni'am wa Mubiid al-Niqam", saying: "Is there a way for someone who has lost a religious or worldly blessing to regain it? I hope that anyone who has experienced a blessing from Allah in their religion or worldly life and has lost it, if they read this book with belief, understand it, and act upon its teachings after believing in them, will have that blessing or something better returned to them. Their worries will be entirely removed, and they will be transformed into a state of joy and happiness."

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

Article Number [ Previous | Next ]

Read for Author




Comments


Captcha


Warning: this window is not dedicated to receive religious questions, but to comment on topics published for the benefit of the site administrators—and not for publication. We are pleased to receive religious questions in the section "Send Your Question". So we apologize to readers for not answering any questions through this window of "Comments" for the sake of work organization. Thank you.




Summarized Fatawaa

I went to the health center today to take an intramuscular injection of Neurorubin B12. The nurse told me that this type of injection breaks the fast because it nourishes the body. Is this true? I have heard that intramuscular injections do not break the fast, but I was unsure about this type, so I decided not to take the injection.
 
 
 
 
 

Therapeutic injections administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly do not invalidate the fast because they do not enter the digestive tract through an open passage. However, intravenous injections containing nutritional fluids do break the fast, as they are akin to food and drink in effect. The B12 injection is a therapeutic injection and does not break the fast. And Allah Knows Best.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on the Zakah money received by a poor person, and reached a Nissab (minimum amount liable for Zakah), and a whole lunar year had lapsed over having it in his possession?

Yes, the poor who possessed a Nissab for a whole lunar year is obliged to pay the Zakah due on that money even if it was given to him as a Zakah money in the first place. And Allah Knows Best.

I underwent a procedure for a molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole), and after that, the bleeding continued for more than two months, during which I did not pray. Do I need to make up the missed prayers?

If you have previously experienced postpartum bleeding, the duration of the current bleeding is treated the same as your previous postpartum period. Any bleeding that exceeds this duration must be considered irregular bleeding (istihada), and you must make up the missed prayers. If this is the first time, then any bleeding beyond sixty days is considered irregular bleeding. You must perform ghusl, pray, and make up the prayers for the days beyond the sixty-day limit. And Allah Knows Best.

How does a praying person prostrate?

All perfect praise be to Allah,The Lord of The Worlds                                                                                                                                                                        It is from Sunnah that he/she sits with both knees on the ground in order to prostrate, then hands, nose and forehead are placed on the same place. In addition, the toes have to touch the ground, and be directed towards the Qiblah (direction of Ka`bah) during prostration. And Allah Knows Best.