Islamophobia
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We are constantly being reminded that we are facing a tough time We keep hearing that these are very difficult times and the phrase ‘this is an unprecedented situation’ keeps popping up. The news has been dominated by bad news on a daily basis for so long. Life is not the same as it was…
Suicide is prohibited in the Quran. ۞ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ And do not kill the self that Allah has prohibited, except with the truth (i.e., by right, in the course of justice). [6:151] Allah Almighty sanctified our soul, so we are forbidden to kill it. The only time He sanctioned killing it is in the pursuit of justice….
Islam teaches us not to throw words without weighing them. The Prophet (peace be on him) taught us about major sins (Kaba’ir), including shirk, killing and zina (fornication/adultery). Each one of these comes with a set of punishments. These punishments have to meted out according to rules which restrict who can apply them and under…
Is gelatine halal? Many people are asking if they can let their children have the nasal flu vaccine as it contains porcine gelatine? The nasal vaccine Each year, the influenza virus, the flu, causes illness, time off work, hospital admissions and deaths. This year, with the Coronavirus pandemic, it is even more important to ensure…
Abu Saeed al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: “Do not let the fear of people prevent you from speaking the truth if you witness it, as it won’t shorten lifespan or decrease your livelihood if you tell the truth or remind people about something great”. (Musnad Ahmad). In this…
Yesterday we lost one of our great female scholars and da’ee in Lebanon, Shaykha Sahar Halabi (rahimahallah), who passed away on 8th September 2020. She was a very special person, who changed her reality through visionary leadership. Though she had not been particularly practising in her childhood, the duas of her mother opened her heart…
Forced marriages are haram in Islam. In Islamic law, it is strictly prohibited (haram) for a father or mother to compel their son or daughter to marry someone against their will. A marriage brought about through coercion is considered religiously invalid, particularly in the case of a daughter. The right to choose a spouse is…
The prohibition of alcohol was introduced gradually. It happened in stages. This is gradualism. As Islam was revealed over 23 years, the dos and dont’s were not delivered in a single complete package as we have now. Rather, a process of transforming hearts, minds and social practices took place as the verses were revealed bit…
In the opening verses of Surat al Qasas, Allah Almighty says: We recite to you from the story of Moses and Pharaoh—in truth—for people who believe. Pharaoh exalted himself in the land,and divided its people into factions. He persecuted a group of them, slaughtering their sons, while sparing their daughters. He was one of the…
As the Black England footballers are subjected to disgusting racial abuse in the wake of England’s Euros 2020 defeat, we are reminded again of the continuing systemic racism in our countries, which led to the protests in the US and around the world, following the tragic death of George Floyd just a year ago. Fundamentally,…
Time for repair Every year Ramadan comes with a different flavour. Although you are fasting in Ramadan but you can still taste its sweetness. It is a favour from Allah which He never gave to any nation before us. Fasting itself was also prescribed to previous nations, as we know from Surah Al-Baqarah: O you…
I’d like to share two thoughts with you. The first one is about Sha’ban, which started a couple of days ago and the second is self-isolation. Sha’ban As Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated the Prophet (peace be on him) used to fast in Sha’ban more than any other month. Aishah (may Allah…
Sadly there is widespread confusion over whether to perform ghusl over those who have passed away due to the coronavirus. Need for clarity As well as the distress and bereavement of losing loved members of the family and community, there is anxiety among families on the issue, and a need for clarity and assurance that the…
Signs الإعراض والاستغفار What we are going through is very severe. But also very special. We have read in history about plagues and famines and calamities but we never lived through one of these. Subhanallah Allah in his destiny has written that we would live this moment. This calamity. Let’s reflect on why Allah sent these…
What are we supposed to make of this? The first ayah which came to my mind in this calamity is in Surah Baqarah, when Allah Almighty said: And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient…