Storms batter the globe As storms become an increasingly familiar part of our lives across the globe – the names of storms are whizzing through the alphabet with increasing speed, the howling winds rip through the country, bringing down trees and powerlines, decimating roofs, and whipping up the floods – we are reminded of Allah’s…
Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. In the section on purification of the heart, Ghazali mentions 10 principles. Pride (kibr) is the eighth principle and Ghazali proposes how to…
عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ” خِيَارُ أَئِمَّتِكُمُ الَّذِينَ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَكُمْ وَيُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَتُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ، وَشِرَارُ أَئِمَّتِكُمُ الَّذِينَ تُبْغِضُونَهُمْ وَيُبْغِضُونَكُمْ وَتَلْعَنُونَهُمْ وَيَلْعَنُونَكُمْ ” . . رواه مسلم. It has been narrated on the authority of ‘Auf bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The…
The first five surahs that were revealed were Iqra, Al Qalam, Al Muzzammil, Al Muddaththir, Al Fatihah. We derive lessons in how to transition from each one and it is not coincidental that the first revelations are about change, which is ghayara in Arabic. Iqra (the first five ayahs of Surat al Alaq) is about…
Why do we need to think about culture? Over time, practices change, societies change and customs change, which is why Allah Almighty sent messengers to bring people back on track, back to the straight path. When they went off track, Allah Almighty would send guidance to clarify what was acceptable and what was not. In…
In Surat al Kahf Allah mentioned four stories and one of them is the story of Dhul Qarnayn. Why does Allah Almighty tell us about Dhul Qarnayn? The story of Dhul Qarnayn appears in Surat al Kahf and is an answer to one of the three questions posed by Quraysh to the Prophet (peace be…
Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. In the chapters on purification of the heart, Ghazali mentions 10 principles. Pride is the eight principle. If we look at the world…
How did the Prophet (peace be on him) handle pessimism from people around him? The Quran refers to pessimism, which is atirah, in many ayahs. When you recite Surat Yaseen, it mentions the fear of bad omens: They (people) said: “For us, we see an evil omen from you; if you cease not, we will…
Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. In his chapters on the purification of the heart, Ghazali mentions 10 principles. Love of dunya is the seventh principle. Love of status…
How do we deal with sins and mistakes when we make them? Certainly we are not angels and we make mistakes but what do we do when we make a mistake? In these verses and similar verses in the Quran, Allah is teaching us how to deal with sins and mistakes. Allah Almighty said in…
Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. In purification of the heart, Ghazali mentions 10 principles. Love of status is the sixth principle. Love of status (Al Jah) Love of…
Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. Miserliness – Bukhl Being a miser is very destructive. Ghazali gave many explanations on his view of miserliness from the Quran and Sunnah…
The Prophet (peace be on him) was honoured by the companions who surrounded him. They carried our religion, which is a trust (amanah) for our Ummah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best of generations is my generation, then those that come after them, then those that come after them.” (Bukhari) The Prophet…
Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. Miserliness – Bukhl This is a big topic, which Ghazali broke down and summarised as 6 topics – bukhl in the Quran and Sunnah, the…
Self-deception It is a fact that all our blessings are from Allah. Yet this is a reality which many of us of forget. Therefore Allah Almighty keeps reminding us of His favours. Allah Almighty says in the Quran in Surat al Nahl: وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعْمَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الضُّرُّ فَإِلَيْهِ تَجْأَرُونَ…