Shukran for this post. This post brings up an issue with I think is critical for Muslims in generals and students and callers to the way in particular. That is the importance of language and the intersection between the spoken word and what is understood of words and terms.

I think we live in a time where words and imagery are used in tandem to give new meanings and connotations to words, terms and concepts. In this way, it is important in the calling to Islam and inviting to Islam that 1.) we are careful in what words and language we use and 2.) we understand the purpose and intent behind the language we use. This, ofcourse, begins with investigations such as what you have mentioned by way of Maulana Maudoodi and Ibn Taymiyah.

More profoundly is our ability to understand the source texts of Islam without having our understanding tainted or skewed by scholarly discourse. Either way this issue is one of imporance.

Shukran for the presentation.

I was very happy so see you post on the imam Suhaib’s blog. Glad to see you are back writing. Looking forward to reading more, inshaAllah.

Mohsin there is some lack of clarity in my statement ” they had issues with idols.” What is intended was that the early converts meaning the very very first companions, it was known that some were Ahnaf in their aqeeda. Therefore those who were of this school of aqeeda had issues with idols they did not settle with idol worship. Determining the exact number of companions who were ahnaf is not so easy. As far as, Umar (r) he is not included in the earliest group of converts, remember, he converted later. And do you recall his family members, his sister, already had revolted against idolatry before his conversion?

The same is to be said of the issue of status and wealth this pertains to the earliest group.

Now these are general qualities there may be an exception here and there to these rules but they are general qualities found in the first converts.

Allahu Al’am

Abul-Hussein

Alhumdulillah glad to see your writing again on the site.

In your post, are you referring to the earliest converts in Makkah? Every early Sahabi was already troubled by idol worship before the call of the Prophet? Does that include Umar ibn al Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). And none of the early sahabis had status? What about Uthman ibn Affan and Musa’ bin Umair (may Allah be pleased them)?