This article originally appeared in the Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, (2023).  Abstract On January 1, 1915, Gool Badsha Muhammad and Mullah Abdullah shot at a picnic train as it left Broken Hill, headed towards Silverton, killing four and wounding seven. Had it not been for this horrific act and tragic loss of life, it is … Continue reading Mullah Abdullah, A Mullah? A Reassessment of the Assertions and the Evidence →

Originally written for Sacred Footsteps Despite its traditionally hidden nature, the history of Sufism in Australia is a rich field of study that is slowly coming to light. To date, most examinations into the history of Islam in Australia have hinted at the existence of Australia’s Sufi heritage without providing a detailed analysis. The three … Continue reading Sufism in Australia: A Brief History →

Al Tanwir Fi Isqat Al-Tadbir of Shaykh Ibn Ata’illah Al-Sakandari This profound book is so overflowing with wisdom it amazes the mind. The unparalleled author, Shaykh ibn Ata-illah Al-Sakandari, may Allah be pleased with him, delivered another masterpiece with this work, where not a page fails to enrich, inform and delight. His digestible style of … Continue reading The Illumination on Abandoning Self-Direction →

This article will focus on one such quality of the heart, namely a “sound heart” (qalbi salim). In attempting to understand what it is to have a sound heart, this article will examine the importance of the heart within Islam, include a linguistic analysis of qalb and salim, explore the two explicit mentions of a sound heart within the Qur’an, survey the commentary literature to understand the traditional elaborations on this concept, furnish these understandings with the Hadith literature, and see what, if any, depth can be added with analogous reasoning.

This article originally appeared in Journal of Sufi Studies, Vol. 11 (2022).  Introduction With an increase in scholarly attention to the history of Islam in Australia, it is becoming evident that Muslims have had a greater involvement in this country than is often recognised. Studies have been published on the various waves of Muslim migration to Australia, the impact … Continue reading On the History of Sufism in Australia: A Manuscript from the Broken Hill Mosque →