Citations: Works Cited/Bibliographies

Bismillaahir Rahmaani Raheem
Assalaamu`alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakatuhu

Re: Works Cited/Bibliographies

Dear ADMIN, AlMaghrib Instructors, Brothers and Sisters

AlHamdulilAllah AlMaghrib forums has become a vital place within our communities, to share and exchange knowledge concerning Islam and the Muslims, as it grows. May Allah grant His mercy to all those that make this possible; the instructors, students and general public who have an important role in bringing us the most up-to-date information.

I am writing to request your input on whether you (i.e., forum user) see a need to implement incorporating into this forum a requirement to have a works-cited/bibliography when answering/participating in discussions pertaining to Islam and the Muslims. A simple bibliography would typically list all the works consulted - by a forum user - in the preparation of a report/opinion/advice.

An example of a simplified bibliography* would include something like Authors names, the titles of the article (or website), the place of publication (State/Country) and the publication dates.

In sha Allah, please do give your input on whether this would be beneficial to the forums, or even whether or not you agree having a works-cited/bibliography would have any value at all.

Wa Allahu A’lam
Jazaakum Allahu khairun, may Allah reward you for time and effort.
Wa salaamu aleykum wa rahmatulaah

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*If I take this request as an example, the works I cited or consulted would appear on the bottom of my letter as follows:

[Bibilography/Works Cited]
Sabin, William A., The Gregg Reference Manual, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, Illinios, 2001.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, < http://www.m-w.com/> (April 2005)

Wa `alaykumussalaam wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakatuhu

I don't really see the need for this, because most of the "reports" and answers don't come from the forum members themselves, but rather, from the instructors, and we have little doubt that they have authentic source.

Moreover, they usually cite their stuff sufficiently, and the students can always ask them for their sources if they're curious.