Semerkand English Magazine - May 2025

In this issue

Semerkand English Magazine greets its readers in the May issue with a feature article titled “Tawassul: Seeking Intercession.”

Written by Siraceddin Önlüer, the article addresses the often-misunderstood concept of intercession — a confusion fuelled on one side by modern ideological currents and on the other by increasing ignorance regarding Islamic teachings. It presents whether tawassul is permissible in the Shari‘ah, in which circumstances it is practiced, examples from the time of the Prophet, and the opinions of the classical scholars.

This month’s editorial column, “Lisanu’l Hal,” shares words of wisdom from distinguished scholars such as Imam al-Ghazali, Abu Talib al-Makki, Ibn Abi al-Dunya, and Abu Nu‘aym.

Although known as the brother of the famous Caliph ‘Umar, the life of the lesser-known Companion Zayd b. Khattab is introduced to readers in the June issue.

In his article “The Human Being on the Path of Irfan,” Abdullah Koç — Secretary General of the Association of Architects and Engineers — discusses essential principles every traveller on the Sufi path must know.

Also awaiting readers in the May issue are “Reining in the Nafs Through Adequacy” and “A Sufi Perspective on Ablution and Prayer.”