Waqafat ma Qadaya Muasira Shubuhat Rudud
- Author died
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- Editions
- Bidāyah lil-Intāj al-Iʿlāmī
Waqafat ma Qadaya Muasira: Shubuhat wa-Rudud (Pauses with Contemporary Issues: Doubts and Responses) is an Islamic work by the Egyptian preacher and lawyer Hazim Salah Abu Ismail, addressing theological questions, modern objections, and intellectual doubts regarding Islamic teachings.
Overview and Publication
The first part of the work was published in 2010 CE (1431 AH; legal deposit 2009) by Bedaia for Media Production in Cairo. Artistic supervision was provided by Mahmud Khalil, linguistic editing and revision by Mus‘ad Khayri, technical preparation by Ahmad ‘Ali, and cover design by Usama Taha.
In the introduction, the author states that external institutions and states propagate doubts to distort the image of Islam and instill skepticism among Muslims, influencing certain self-described intellectuals who derive their knowledge of Islam from hostile sources rather than authentic Islamic teachings. Abu Ismail framing his discourse not primarily as a polemic against adversaries, but as an explanatory guide for Muslims seeking to understand the Quran and their religion comprehensively.
Contents and Themes
The book examines a range of theological and social questions, including:
- Divine Guidance and Free Will: The author analyzes how divine guidance (hidaya) and misguidance (idlal) operate in relation to human responsibility, addressing the common doubt over Quranic statements such as يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ("He misguides whom He wills and guides whom He wills"). He argues through Quranic evidence that divine misguidance corresponds to predetermined criteria and personal choices—such as injustice, transgression, and obstinate disbelief—while guidance is granted to those who seek truth and take initial steps toward faith.
- Women's Status and Rights: The text addresses misconceptions surrounding the status, duties, and rights of women in Islamic law, discussing questions of equality, legal roles, and family life.
- Other Doctrinal and Social Topics: The work touches upon the infallibility of the prophets (‘ismat al-anbiya’), the wisdom and legitimacy of divorce, polygyny, historical slavery, the relationship between divine decree (qadar) and supplication (du‘a’), the methodology of interpreting the Quran, and the purpose of human creation.
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