The concept of worship. What are ibadah and ihsan – and how do they lead to self development?
| |

The concept of worship. What are ibadah and ihsan – and how do they lead to self development?

What is ihsan? To break it down, the majority of the Arabic words are derived from three to four root letters. The The word “Ihsan” is derived from the root word “Hasan” (حسن), which consists of the letters Ha, Seen, and Nun (ح س ن). “Hasan” means something nice, something beautiful, or something good. “Ihsan”…

Add value to your community!
|

Add value to your community!

In Surat At-Tawbah, Allah described the episode when the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) were in the cave while they were migrating from Makkah to Madinah. Close to being assassinated, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) felt scared, but Allah sent consolation, saying: “إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ…

Muharram – victory comes from sacrifice and a shared vision
|

Muharram – victory comes from sacrifice and a shared vision

If you do not help him, God has already helped him, when those who disbelieved expelled him, and he was the second of two in the cave. He said to his friend, ‘Do not worry, God is with us.’ And God made His tranquility descend upon him, and supported him with forces you did not…

From darkness to light – A message for new Muslims
| |

From darkness to light – A message for new Muslims

يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ قَدۡ جَآءَكُمۡ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمۡ كَثِيرٗا مِّمَّا كُنتُمۡ تُخۡفُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٖۚ قَدۡ جَآءَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٞ وَكِتَٰبٞ مُّبِينٞ يَهۡدِي بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضۡوَٰنَهُۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَٰمِ وَيُخۡرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذۡنِهِۦ وَيَهۡدِيهِمۡ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِي O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear…

Your vote is an Amanah – Ummah of activism
| |

Your vote is an Amanah – Ummah of activism

Allah Almighty said in Surat Ale Imran, the very beautiful verse about our Ummah, the final Ummah, the Ummah of goodness. He said: كُنتُمۡ خَیۡرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخۡرِجَتۡ لِلنَّاسِ تَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَتَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِۗ وَلَوۡ ءَامَنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لَكَانَ خَیۡرࣰا لَّهُمۚ مِّنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَأَكۡثَرُهُمُ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقُونَ You are the best ‘Ummah ever raised for mankind….

Common misconceptions: Can menstruating women visit the mosque, attend Eid salah and perform Hajj?
| |

Common misconceptions: Can menstruating women visit the mosque, attend Eid salah and perform Hajj?

Can women go to the mosque during their period? The question of whether women can attend the mosque during their menstrual periods is a topic of discussion among scholars. Different schools of thought have varying perspectives on this matter, and understanding these can help provide clarity on the issue. The Islamic perspective on menstruation In…

Common misconceptions: Can menstruating women visit Riyadh ul Jannah?
| |

Common misconceptions: Can menstruating women visit Riyadh ul Jannah?

In general, the issue of whether menstruating women can visit the mosque is subject to varying interpretations among different scholars and schools of thought. In a nutshell, there are two primary perspectives on this matter: Prohibition View: Some scholars and traditional schools of thought, such as the Hanafi and Hanbali schools, maintain that menstruating women…

You can fool yourself, but you can’t fool Allah. Reckoning is a reality.
|

You can fool yourself, but you can’t fool Allah. Reckoning is a reality.

In the opening of Surat Al-Anbiya, Allah Almighty says: ٱقۡتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمۡ وَهُمۡ فِی غَفۡلَةࣲ مُّعۡرِضُونَ The time of their reckoning has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.  (Al-Anbiyāʾ, Ayah 1) This is a Makki surah, and a common feature of Makki surahs is that they address the challenges faced…

Eid – The time to renew your covenant with Allah
|

Eid – The time to renew your covenant with Allah

It is the Sunnah to recite Surat al-A’la and Surat al-Ghashiyah during the Eid salah. These surahs are Makki surahs, and as typical of Makki surahs, they dwell on themes of monotheism, belief in the akhirah, and renewing our covenant with Allah. We praise Him and are reminded to consider the outcome of our actions…

Dimensions of deceit

Dimensions of deceit

In the opening of Surat al-Baqarah, Allah mentions three types of people: the believers, the disbelievers, and the hypocrites. Verses 8 onwards focus on the hypocrites (munafiqeen), who are discussed in thirteen verses. I will highlight some of these verses to provide a deeper understanding: وَمِنَ النّاسِ مَنْ يَقُولُ آمَنّا بِاللهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَما هُمْ…

Are Islam and veganism compatible?
|

Are Islam and veganism compatible?

Islam is a religion of moderation, advocating a balanced approach in all aspects of life, including diet. While there’s a growing trend towards veganism, often equated with being humane to animals, Islam does not prohibit the consumption of animals. Instead, it emphasizes moderation and ethical treatment. Islam teaches that we should not overconsume meat, but…

Hajj: how the pillars of Islam create unity and strength
|

Hajj: how the pillars of Islam create unity and strength

In Surat Ali Imran, Allah Almighty talks about the obligation of Hajj: إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَیۡتࣲ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِی بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكࣰا وَهُدࣰى لِّلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ The first house set up for the people is surely the one in Makkah, blessed and a guidance for all the worlds. [‏Ali Imran, 3:96] فِیهِ ءَایَـٰتُۢ بَیِّنَـٰتࣱ مَّقَامُ إِبۡرَ ٰ⁠هِیمَۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ…