Reckless leaders can be more damaging than the coronavirus
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Reckless leaders can be more damaging than the coronavirus

A Capitol Disaster Todays reflection is about reckless leaders. It is very topical due to the violence that took place when the Capitol in the US was stormed on Wednesday by right-wing insurgents.  In the Quran, Allah Almighty revealed to us how He informed Ibrahim (peace be on him) that He had chosen him and…

is it permissible to take out a mortgage in Islam
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Is it permissible to take out a mortgage in Islam?

Are mortgages halal? In Islam usury is clearly forbidden. It is a major sin and is one of the seven gravest ones. Those who commit it are considered as waging war against Allah Almighty and His Prophet (peace be on him). Fiqh Councils throughout the Muslim World state that bank interest is usury. Those who…

Economic justice in Islam: women and pay
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Economic justice in Islam: women and pay

Equality for women’s pay Where does Islam stand on women’s place in society? Is she allowed to have equal pay and be in positions of leadership? I wonder why people separate women from society as if they are a different species. When Allah Almighty said, Ya Ayuhal Ladhina Amanu, (O you who believe) He did…

Islamic rulings on beauty treatments and plucking eyebrows
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Islamic rulings on beauty treatments and plucking eyebrows

The beautification and adornment of women goes back to time immemorial. If a woman wants to beautify herself what are the limits? Beautification can be sinful and can be rewarding. The basic principle in Islam is that beautification in public is not permissible. In Islam, women can beautify themselves within their homes (i.e in front…

Can a woman travel without a mahram? Can she go for Hajj unaccompanied by a mahram?
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Islamic rulings on travelling without a mahram and going for Hajj unaccompanied

The prohibition on travelling the distance of 3 days unaccompanied The majority of narrations state and confirm that it is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel the distance of 3 days and 3 nights unaccompanied by a mahram. The majority of early jurists, particularly from the…

Can you wear clothes with images of creatures? If your clothes have small creatures on your clothes, such as little birds and butterflies, you may wear them.
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Is it haram to draw people or hang photos?

The hadith on pictures وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ قدم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من سفر وقد سترت سهوة لى بقرام فيه تماثيل، فلما رآه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم هتكه وتلون وجهه وقال‏:‏ “يا عائشة‏:‏ أشد الناس عذابا عند الله يوم القيامة الذين يضاهون بخلق الله” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‘Aishah (may…

Can Muslims celebrate Christmas?
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Muslims and Christmas: An Islamic Perspective

Though Muslims definitely believe in the Prophet Eesa (peace be on him), we don’t know the exact day of his birth and we don’t celebrate his birth or Christmas anyway. Indeed we don’t celebrate the birthday of any prophet, including the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). Instead, we might deliver a talk about him…

Is it permissible to attend birthday parties?
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Is it permissible to celebrate birthdays?

Is it haram to celebrate birthdays? Birthday parties are not haram in themselves. There is nothing haram about celebrating the day someone was born, as long as that celebration does not involve doing anything prohibited, for instance serving alcohol or having inappropriately revealing clothes. Birthdays are not related to worship or belief It is a…

What's your poison? Are you inebriated by your own self?
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What’s your poison? The 7 intoxicants of the soul

The physical intoxicant Allah Almighty prohibited alcohol gradually over four stages. In Surat al Maidah, He said: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ O you who believe, surely intoxicants and gambling and idolatry and divination are filth made up by Satan, so avoid it, that…

How the Quran tackles bullying
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How the Quran tackles bullying

The psychological impact of bullying The Prophet (peace be on him) had been mocked, intimidated and humiliated over 13 years in Makkah. He was called a sorcerer, poet and liar, as recorded in the Quran and the seerah, though he had always been known to be truthful and trustworthy – al Sadiq al Amin. When…

Is it permissible to be bare below the sleeves in hospitals?
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Islamic guidance on dress requirements in healthcare settings. Is exposing the forearms permissible?

The Prophet (peace be on him) said: The woman’s entire body must be covered. (Sunan Tirmidhi) This means that a woman in the presence of a non-mahram (i.e her brother or husband and anyone she cannot marry), is required to to be covered modestly, excluding her face, hands and feet, in the Hanafi school. There…

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How do I dispose of papers, Islamic books or CDs with Allah’s name on them?

If you have to dispose of papers or Islamic books such as madrasah text books or class notes including Tajweed notes, that have Allah’s name on them, or Quranic verses, you may burn them, or shred them, as long as the shredding is fine and the name of Allah is not left in tact. You…

How should Muslims react to the events in France following Charlie Hebdo’s cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him)?
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How should Muslims react to the events in France following Charlie Hebdo’s cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him)?

The art of ignoring the ignorant It’s so easy to bring the Muslim ummah to their knees. It only takes a bunch of people – ignorant or planted to rile the ummah. The easily-baited Ummah Ever since the virulent reaction of Muslims to Salman Rushdie’s derogatory writing in his book, the response of the Muslim…