How to Understand the Development of Islam in the Modern World?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I have been questioning why my Muslim-majority country does not usually know the Sunni schools of Creed (aqida). After looking around, I suspect this has to do with a particular country’s funding of schools and international government involvement, especially with Salafi and Wahhabi ideology. I am ignorant of the development of the modern Muslim world and would like to know how things came to be so divided and the people unknowledgeable.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him.
Thank you for this critical question. However, the SeekersGuidance Answers service is intended to answer specific questions in Islam, not elaborate on Islamic History’s details. I suggest that you take a course and read a solid book on the topic, and Allah Most High knows best.
Kindly consider taking the following free SeekersGuidance courses:
Social and Political Engagement: Guiding Principles for Students of Knowledge
The History of Faith: Islamic History for Beginners
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
