How do you pray Salat al-Kusuf – the prayer during a solar/lunar eclipse
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How do you pray Salat al-Kusuf – the prayer during a solar/lunar eclipse

There are varied opinions among scholars on how to pray salat al-kusuf or salat al-khusuf, which is a sunnah prayer the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed during an eclipse.  The eclipse Kusuf (كسوف): usually refers to a solar eclipse. Khusuf (خسوف): usually refers to a lunar eclipse. A solar eclipse is when a planet…

The test of will – Tarawih Reflections 30
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The test of will – Tarawih Reflections 30

Prohibition of alcohol and gambling ‘O you who believe! Wine, gambling, altars and divining arrows are filth, made up by Satan. Therefore, refrain from it, so that you may be successful. Satan wishes only to plant enmity and malice between you through wine and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of Allah and…

Why humans can’t be gods – Tarawih reflections 29

Why humans can’t be gods – Tarawih reflections 29

مَّا ٱلۡمَسِیحُ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡیَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولࣱ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِن قَبۡلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُۥ صِدِّیقَةٌ كَانَا یَأۡكُلَانِ ٱلطَّعَامَۗ ٱنظُرۡ كَیۡفَ نُبَیِّنُ لَهُمُ ٱلۡـَٔایَـٰتِ ثُمَّ ٱنظُرۡ أَنَّىٰ یُؤۡفَكُونَ The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat…

Islam – a religion of ease – Tarawih reflections 27
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Islam – a religion of ease – Tarawih reflections 27

The last revelation ‘Today, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion.’ [5:3] This was the last ayah ever to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, on Arafah day, which was also Friday, during his Farewell Hajj. Allah says that He has perfected His…

Laylatul Qadr – attain inner and outer purity
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Laylatul Qadr – attain inner and outer purity

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ “‏من قام ليلة القدر إيمانا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه‏”‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏ “Whosoever performs Qiyam during Laylat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), with Faith and being…

Believe in Allah for your own sake – Tarawih reflections 26

Believe in Allah for your own sake – Tarawih reflections 26

‘O people, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord. So, believe. That is good for you. If you disbelieve, then, to Allah belongs what is in the heavens and the earth. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.’ [4:170] In this ayah, Allah is addressing all people, regardless of their race, colour, background…

Do not side with falsehood – Tarawih reflections 25
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Do not side with falsehood – Tarawih reflections 25

Hypocrites who side with the disbelievers بَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِینَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمۡ عَذَابًا أَلِیمًا    ٱلَّذِینَ یَتَّخِذُونَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِینَ أَوۡلِیَاۤءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَۚ أَیَبۡتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِیعࣰا ‘Give the hypocrites the ‘good’ news that for them there is a painful punishment – those who take the disbelievers for allies instead of the believers. Are they…

Be grateful for Allah’s favours – Tarawih reflections 24
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Be grateful for Allah’s favours – Tarawih reflections 24

Your heart is the receiver of signals from Allah ‘Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom, and has taught you what you did not know. Allah’s favour on you is great.’ [4:113] In this ayah, Allah is addressing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, to whom He revealed the Book. In a similar ayah in…

Is it permissible to take out a student loan?
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Is it permissible to take out a student loan?

Dealing with interest is haram Dealing with interest (riba) is haram. Some might not consider this haram, but it is completely prohibited, because Allah Almighty stated in the Quran, in Surat al Baqarah: Allah has made trading lawful and forbidden usury (2:275) The prohibition of taking interest is very clear not only from the Quran…

Draw closer to Allah by loving Him – Tarawih reflections 23
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Draw closer to Allah by loving Him – Tarawih reflections 23

Obeying the Prophet ﷺ = Obeying Allah ‘Whoever obeys the Messenger obeys Allah, and whoever turns away, then, We did not send you as a guardian over them.’ [4:80] In this ayah Allah is talking about obedience to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Scholars of tafseer have commented that this was revealed when some of the…

No faith without amanah – Tarawih Reflections 22

No faith without amanah – Tarawih Reflections 22

The story of the key to the Kaaba ‘Allah commands you to return trusts to those entitled to them, and when you judge between people, judge with justice.’ [4:58] Scholars of tafseer have commented that this ayah was revealed after the Conquest of Makkah, when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called ‘Uthman bin Talha (may Allah be…

I’m worried I’ll miss my salah, can I pray it early?
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I’m worried I’ll miss my salah, can I pray it early?

You can’t pray before the prayer time starts. Salah is not about your availability; it’s about the time that Allah ordained for the salah. If the salah has started you can pray, but if it has not started, your prayer will not be counted as a valid salah, it will counted as a voluntary (nawafil)…