The methodology of this book is
unique in dealing with the many subjects it covers. In fact, Sheikh Yusuf
al-Qaradawi is a pioneer, the first to handle this subject using this
particular approach. He has attempted, with considerable success in the
Arabic original, to collect and summarize the issues from both ancient and
modern Islamic references. Being himself a recognized Islamic scholar, he
has had to make a judgement in selecting those points of view which he
strongly felt meet the needs of Muslims in reference to the changing
circumstances of this time.
However, this by no means presents all
dimensions of the "discussion relating to each issue, which it is
impossible to cover in a book of this modest size. Although the present
volume is very useful, it cannot by itself fill the gaps, meet the
challenges, or answer the multitude of questions which face Muslim
communities living in the Western world. It is time that sincere and
qualified Muslim scholars who have lived in the West, and who possess
mastery of the Islamic fiqh,
introduce into English a fiqh which will meet our Islamic needs
in this part of the world, one which will demonstrate the ability of Islam,
as Allah's final message to mankind, to meet the changing requirements of
human society. We hope that this call to our brothers and sisters will not
be lost, and that the Muslims in North America will carry out the
responsibilities which confront them in a forceful and dynamic fashion. Insha'Allah
the day will not be far off when the major reference works available in
the Islamic languages - Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Turkish, etc. - will be
accurately translated into English, giving the English-speaking Muslims the
privilege of drawing their own conclusions concerning the many issues which
confront them today.
We pray that Allah will forgive us, and
that He will bless our work and make it useful for the Muslims of the
English-speaking world.
Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Hammad
