I have read the 1st vol tafsir in English and haven't found anything amiss. But I am no scholar, not even a student. It is a well-written work with contemporary/modern perspective. For example, there is a 2 page footnote (referencing western/scientific works) on the wisdom behind the prohibition of swine's flesh. Similarly the concept of predestination is very lucidly explained. The general accusation against Jamia al-Karam (or Pirzada Sahib or Justice Karam) is that of sullah kullism; I don't think they (barring few incompetent graduates) stand accused of harbouring wrong aqidah. Likewise the worst I have heard against Tafsir Zia ul-Qur'an (by Justice Karam) is that it skirts (or glosses over) few key issues pertaining aqidah (jihad etc.); not that it completely misguides.
Thank you for your admission. I was actually waiting for someone to bring forth their contentions here, not because I believe there is anything wrong with the Tafsir but merely due to the fact that there has been critism of Jamia al-Karam and their young scholars on this forum lately. I don't know of any scholar who has read it strictly cover to cover, but I am aware of numerous Sunni scholars who have read either vast parts of it or at least those areas where points on Aqidah are found and all those places where the non-Sunni translators and commentators may slip up or hold unorthodox views. Allama Qamar al-Zaman Azmi Sahib is one of those who have studied it and their words were of nothing by praise. In fact, they said that they awaited another opportunity to further talk about the Tafsir. Please feel free to message me privately if you'd like to continuetalking about this. I do, however, feel that you are mistaken here brother.
Has a mu'tabar sunni aalim gone through this tafsir in detail and found it harmless? I would not recommend any literature by jamia-karamites unless a sunni aalim re-assures us of it's conformity to sunni creed and fiqh after having actually studied it cover to cover . Merely a foreword or tadiq in good faith or after a summary reading won't be much helpful.
Tafsir Imdad Ul-Karam, by Shaykh MIH Pirzada. It's easy to understand in Urdu and English and, for the average man, a much better alternative to other modern exegesis and translations by non-Sunnis. Ihya Ulum al-Deen, by Imam Ghazali (RA). Dalail al-Kharaat, by Imam Jazuli (RA). al-Maqasid al-Sunniah (المقاصد السنيه لترديد الوهابيه), by Mufti e Azam Sarhad Molana Shaista Gul Qadri Rizwi (RA).* Bahare Shariat, by Sadrul Shariah Molana Mufti Amjad Ali Azmi Rizwi (RA). * This book may not be essential but it is a good refutation on the Wahabiyah and false sects. It is difficult to come by in hard copy but it available online to download in PDF. Type in the name into google in Arabic to get to it, inshallah.
What essential Islamic books should all households have? Books that are primarily in Urdu or English for a Western based, Urdu speaking family. Topics to cover should include (but not limited to): Aqidah Fiqh Hadith Seerah Adab Tasawwuf Tareekh Refutation: Wahaabi Deobandi Shia Qadiani Du`aa / wazaif Qasidah / naat (including their commentaries) Contemporary issues I'm not looking for a huge list of books per topic. Just what you would consider to be a handful of essential books that every family should have in their homes.
