Behavioral Hypocrisy: When Faith Becomes a Cloak for Tyranny

Some of the most dangerous people in religious communities are not open disbelievers—they are the ones who quote scripture fluently, maintain perfect ritual, and demand loyalty in the name of “correct belief,” all while behaving in ways that betray every moral principle they claim to uphold. This is behavioral hypocrisy—when faith becomes a mask, not … Continue reading Behavioral Hypocrisy: When Faith Becomes a Cloak for Tyranny

Oldest Surviving Manuscript of Imam Malik’s Muwatta’

Early Manuscripts and Fragments of the Muwatta’ Imam Malik’s al-Muwaṭṭa’ was compiled in the 2nd century AH (8th century CE) and was transmitted by many of his students in slightly variant versions. The very earliest physical evidence of the Muwatta’ dates back to Malik’s own lifetime. For example, a papyrus fragment (PERF No. 731) from … Continue reading Oldest Surviving Manuscript of Imam Malik’s Muwatta’

Where is the Sunni’s Isnad For Their Salat?

One of the foundational claims of Sunni Islam is that religious practice is preserved through Hadith, authenticated by a rigorous science of transmission—ʿIlm al-Rijāl—and a system of isnād, or chains of narration. But when it comes to the most essential ritual in Islam—Salāt (the Contact Prayer)—this claim falls apart. The reality is simple: Sunnis do … Continue reading Where is the Sunni’s Isnad For Their Salat?

The Case of Ibn Shanabūdh: When Isnād Was Not Enough

Abū al-Ḥasan Ibn Shanabūdh (d. 328/939) was a prominent Qurʾān reciter, scholar of Arabic language, and prayer leader based in Baghdad during the Abbasid era. Renowned for his deep knowledge of variant Qurʾānic readings (qirāʾāt) and for his extensive travels to study with leading Qurʾān masters, Ibn Shanabūdh enjoyed a respected scholarly reputation among his … Continue reading The Case of Ibn Shanabūdh: When Isnād Was Not Enough