29
Jul 2023
The vital role of understanding Allah in our lives Our foremost obligation is to know Allah Almighty, and reflecting on His beautiful names helps us to do this. Before any other duty, gaining knowledge of Allah Almighty is incumbent upon us. The Quran emphasises this by stating, فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ “Know that there is no god but Allah.” (47:19) Allah Almighty created us to know Him, and introduced us to His divine nature and infinite attributes. Thus, understanding Him is as crucial for all of us, as oxygen is......
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28
Jul 2023
Allah Almighty says in Surat āl-Imran in the Quran that we should be united: وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ And hold fast to the rope of God, altogether, and do not become divided. And remember God’s blessings upon you; how you were enemies, and He reconciled your hearts, and by His grace you became brethren. And you were on the brink......
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25
Jul 2023
The interconnected meanings of Al-Fattah Al-Fattah is one of Allah Almighty’s names. It has different meanings, but its primary meaning is the Opener, or the One who opens things for you. It also has other meanings which we will look at. For instance, in the only ayah that Al-Fattah has been mentioned in the Quran, Al-Fattah means the Judge: ‘Say our Lord will bring us together, then He will judge between us in truth and He is the Knowing Judge.’ (34:26) When you delve into the Arabic meaning of Al-Fattah, you find......
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23
Jul 2023
Why we talk about Hijrah in Muharram Although we often talk about the Hijrah in Muharram, it is important to clarify that the Hijrah actually took place at the end of Safar and the beginning of Rabi’ al-Awwal. The reason we celebrate it in Muharram is because it is the beginning of the new year – a time for renewal and a good time to reflect on the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be on him) migration. Prophets were sent to reform their communities Thirteen years after revelation, during which the......
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21
Jul 2023
Allah’s beautiful name Ar-Razzaaq has been translated in various ways, but they are all connected to rizq, which is provision. So accordingly, you see the translation of Ar-Razzaq as the Total Provider or the Provider or the Sustainer. Also as the One who creates the sustenance for all His creation. And it is one of Allah Almighty’s favours, that He is the One who provides and distributes rizq. In the Quran, there are many verses which talk about the name of Ar-Razzaaq, such as إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ God......
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21
Jul 2023
The Best Companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Best of this Ummah after the Prophet (peace be upon him) Regarded as the closest confidant and the foremost companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the life of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) deserves our attention and reverence. No less than the best companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him and the best man in the Ummah after (peace be upon him), he is a role model for us and an inspiration and it......
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16
Jul 2023
The loss of a child is a deeply sorrowful and painful experience for parents and the community. Islam recognises that this is a time of immense grief and therefore, provides clear guidance on how to cope with this tragic event. Find patience and acceptance The death of a child is seen as a test and a part of Allah’s divine plan. Even though it may be difficult to comprehend or accept, Muslims are encouraged to exercise patience and accept Allah’s decree with faith and trust. Everything happens according to His wisdom and......
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14
Jul 2023
What is Salatul Tasbih? It is a voluntary 4 rakahs salah which is called Salatul Tasbih because it entails reciting 300 times tasbih in various positions during the salah. Is the Salatul Tasbih a sunnah? This salah is a voluntary salah which is purported to elicit huge forgiveness as per the narration of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), which some scholars dispute, but is nevertheless a good narration. Narrated by Abu Dawoud, Ibn Majah, Daraqutni, Bayhaqi, Tabarani and Ibn Khuzaymah and many others. What are the rewards of Salatul......
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14
Jul 2023
The tasbih, tahmeed, tahleel and takbir We are familiar with the phrases Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu akbar, wa la illaha illallah. We recite them in our Salah and after the Salah and before we sleep. It does not matter which order you say them. There are many narrations which show how much the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasised repeating them. He confirmed that the four phrases – the tasbih, tahmeed, tahleel, and takbir – are the most beloved words to Allah after the Quran. Why are they significant? The reason is that......
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14
Jul 2023
The Etiquettes of Wudu The wudu is divinely prescribed (tawqifi). It was demonstrated by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to his companions. The differences of opinion between the different schools arise due to their using different narrations. It is not the case Imam Abu Hanifa, or Malik or Shafi are creating their own styles of wudu; there is no way a faqhi will rely on his own opinion in these matters. Ali and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them) would perform wudu in public to show them how they saw......
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11
Jul 2023
Tahara (purification) Not everyone is aware that the parts of wudu are divided into the obligations (fard) and the Sunnah, which are rewarding but not essential for a wudu to be valid. Why is this important? If one finds they are short of water, they can do the minimum aspects of wudu for it to be valid. When they have no problems accessing or performing wudu, they can do the more rewarding wudu with all the sunnah elements. The obligations are mentioned in the Quran. Mulla Ali begins by listing the obliagation......
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07
Jul 2023
Every Friday we are recommended to recite Surat al Kahf which is part of the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) because through it we are granted a special light during the week until the following Friday. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْكَهْفِ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ أَضَاءَ لَهُ مِنَ النُّورِ مَا بَيْنَ الْجُمُعَتَيْنِ “Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him between this Friday and......
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03
Jul 2023
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَدْعُو بِهَؤُلاَءِ الْكَلِمَاتِ “ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الْعَدُوِّ وَشَمَاتَةِ الأَعْدَاءِ ” . رواه النَّسائي. ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) used to say*: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from being overcome by debt, from being overpowered by the enemy, and from the enemy rejoicing over my misfortunes.” *the expression means he used to repeat it; it’s not......
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02
Jul 2023
Dua to be saved from the loss of favours Abdullah bin ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ كَانَ مِنْ دُعَاءِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ وَفُجَاءَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِكَ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to supplicate thus: O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the demise of Your favours, transforming of Your favour of well-being, the suddenness of Your punishment and all that displeases You. [Imam......
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