View source for Askimam

{{Short description|Islamic website}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use South African English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox website
| name = Askimam.org
| logo = Askimam (website) logo.jpg
| logo_caption = Askimam logo on 21 August 2021
| screenshot = Askimam website (screenshot) 16 July 2021.jpg
| caption = Screenshot of Askimam's Belief Category on 16 July 2021
| url = {{url|http://askimam.org/}}
| commercial = No
| type = [[Islamic]], [[Hanafi]],  Legal/Religious
| country_of_origin = South Africa
| author = [[Ebrahim Desai]]
| reg = Required
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2000}} {{bulleted list|ask-imam.com in 2000|askimam.org in 2004}}
| current_status = Active
| revenue =
}}
'''Askimam''' is a [[website]] providing information regarding [[Islam]]. It was founded by South African Islamic scholar and jurist [[Ebrahim Desai]] in 2000. The answers on this website are reflections of the juristic views of the [[Hanafi]] [[Deobandi]] school of thought. It has been called more influential, wide-ranging and comprehensive than the web resources of [[Al-Azhar University]] and its sympathisers put together.
==History==
The website was started by South African Islamic scholar and jurist [[Ebrahim Desai]], who formerly headed the Darul Ifta of [[Madrasah In'aamiyyah]].<ref name="afshan">{{cite journal |title=When can Muslims withdraw or withhold life support? A narrative review of Islamic juridical rulings |year=2020 |doi=10.1080/11287462.2020.1736243 |last1=Mohiuddin |first1=Afshan |last2=Suleman |first2=Mehrunisha |last3=Rasheed |first3=Shoaib |last4=Padela |first4=Aasim I. |journal=Global Bioethics |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=29–46 |pmid=32284707 |pmc=7144300 }}</ref> It is thought to be technically-updated mirror of another site, ask-imam.com, which started in 2000. Askimam.org was launched in 2004.{{Sfn|Šisler|2009|p=65}} It aims to help people who use the World Wide Web to access common Islamic questions and answers.{{Sfn|Šisler|2009|p=65}} The website had about 4686 religious edicts in August 2002.{{Sfn|Bunt|2003|p=168}}
A survey was conducted about the structure of the [[fatawa]] (religious edicts) on Askimam in 2011.{{Sfn|Farhana|2015|p=19}} It was seen that despite Ebrahim Desai's students belonging to various geographical locations, they prepared a plethora of edicts, and Desai was the final authority. He was the master teacher and each [[fatwa]] had a closing line, 'checked and approved by Mufti Ebrahim Desai'.{{Sfn|Farhana|2015|p=19}} According to scholar G. R. Bunt, Askimam reflects the views of Muslims living as a minority in non-Muslim societies. Questions come from a variety of religious perspectives and several new fatwas are posted every day.{{Sfn|Farhana|2015|p=51}} The questions on the site demonstrate several challenges faced by Muslims in the contemporary era.{{Sfn|Farhana|2015|p=51}} Bunt described the site as more comprehensive, influential and wide-ranging than the web resources of [[Al-Azhar University|al-Azhar]] and its sympathisers put together.{{Sfn|Bunt|2003|p=173}} The site's founder died on 15 July 2021 in [[Durban]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Famous Fatwah Portal Ask Imam's Mufti Ebrahim Desai passes away |url=https://thechenabtimes.com/2021/07/16/famous-fatwah-portal-ask-imams-mufti-ebrahim-desai-passes-away/amp/ |access-date=16 July 2021 |work=The Chenab Times |date=16 July 2021}}</ref>
==Approach==
Askimam website reflects the outlook of the [[Deobandi|Deobandi Hanafi]] school of thought. The answers provided do not always provide substantial textual analysis and justifications but are concise. The difference between [[ijtihad]] and fatwas is acknowledged.{{Sfn|Farhana|2015|p=52}} The scholars and jurists associated with the website differentiate between the opinions of different [[Islamic schools and branches|Islamic schools of thought]].{{Sfn|Bunt|2003|p=172}} The site provides answers only to [[Fiqh]]- (Jurisprudence) related questions in light of the [[Hanafi]] school. It also suggests that people following other Sunni schools of thought ask their appropriate scholars.<ref>{{cite web |title=Questioning guidelines at Askimam |url=http://askimam.co.za/page/ask-question |publisher=Askimam |access-date=16 July 2021}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Darulifta-Deoband.com]]
== References ==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
===Bibliography===
{{refbegin|indent=yes}}
* {{cite thesis |last1=Farhana |first1=Ismail |title=An analysis of the discursive representations of women's sexual agency in online fatwas: a case study of askimam.org |date=2015 |publisher=[[University of KwaZulu-Natal]] |url=https://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/handle/10413/14487 |access-date=25 May 2020}}
* {{cite book |last1=Bunt |first1=Gary R |title=Islam in the Digital Age: E-Jihad, Online Fatwas and Cyber Islamic Environments |date=2003 |publisher=Pluto Press |pages=167–183 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt18fs6ck |access-date=16 July 2021 |chapter=Sunni Religious Authority on the Internet II: Muslim Minority Contexts|doi=10.2307/j.ctt18fs6ck |jstor=j.ctt18fs6ck |isbn=9780745320984 }}
* {{cite journal |last1= Šisler |first1=Vít |title=European Courts authority contested? The Case of Marriage and Divorce Fatwas On-line |journal=Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology |volume=3 |issue=1 |url=https://journals.muni.cz/mujlt/article/view/2525 |pages=65–67 |date=2009}}
{{refend}}
==Further reading==
* {{cite journal |last1= Kutcher |first1=Jens |title=Islamic Shura, Democracy, and Online Fatwas |journal=CyberOrient |date=2011 |volume=5 |issue= 2|pages=50–72 |publisher= [[American Anthropological Association]], Faculty of Arts [[Charles University]] |doi=10.1002/j.cyo2.20110502.0003 |url=https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.cyo2.20110502.0003}}
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2000]]
[[Category:Deobandi websites]]
[[Category:South African websites]]
[[Category:Islamic websites]]
[[Category:Fatwas]]
[[Category:Question-and-answer websites]]