Hajj – the spiritual journey of a life-time
Hajj is not only a physical journey to Makkah, but a journey of the heart. It is a reminder of sacrifice, submission, equality, forgiveness and the believer’s return to Allah Almighty.
A History of the Pillar of Hajj
Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam, and it has a very special status. The main difference between Hajj and the other four pillars is that Hajj is only obligatory once in a lifetime. That is it. The other pillars are continuous or repeated. The shahadah is something we carry throughout our lives. We…
Can non-Muslims eat Halal meat?
Can non-Muslims eat halal meat? Yes. Halal meat can be eaten by anyone, including non-Muslims. It is simply meat prepared according to Islamic dietary laws, slaughtered in a similar fashion to kosher meat in Judaism. Eating halal food does not make someone Muslim or involve them in Islamic worship. In Islam, life is sacred. Muslims…
Can you give zakat to someone who is in debt and owes interest?
It is permissible to give zakat to someone who is in debt with interest – they are considered among the debtors entitled to receive zakat, provided that they are sincere in their intention to repay and have repented from dealing in riba.
How do you deal with waswasa and OCD in worship?
Many people experience passing doubts in worship. A person may wonder whether their wudu is still valid, whether they pronounced a letter correctly in al-Fatihah, whether they made a mistake in salah, or whether they chose the correct scholarly opinion. For most people, the doubt comes and goes. They continue and move on. For some…
ADHD and Islam
In recent years, ADHD has become much more widely discussed. For some people, this has brought relief. They finally have language for struggles they have carried for years. For others, the term is used so casually online that it can feel as though every distraction, bad habit, or lack of discipline is now being called…
Spiritual narcissism and Islam
When religion becomes a tool for ego, control, and self-glorification Religion is meant to soften the heart. It should humble the soul and draw a person closer to Allah Almighty. True spirituality increases sincerity, mercy, self-awareness. It instills khawf (a deep awareness of standing before Allah). The more a person truly knows Allah, the more…
Narcissism and Islam
The word “narcissist” is now used so casually that it has almost lost meaning. It is easy to label someone who is rude, selfish, arrogant or bossy a narcissist. But that is not right. Islam repeatedly stresses the importance of fairness and precision. So, Muslims should not casually diagnose people or reduce every difficult relationship to…
Gathering our scattered affairs back together
A mercy from Allah that gathers the heart The Prophet ﷺ is our greatest example in how to worship Allah, how to draw close to Him, and how to ask from Him. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) once stayed overnight in the house of his aunt Maymunah (may Allah…
How to successfully survive times of trial
Who is the lucky one? عَنِ الْمِقْدَادِ بْنِ الْأَسْوَدِ قَالَ : ايْمُ اللَّهِ، لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ : ” إِنَّ السَّعِيدَ لَمَنْ جُنِّبَ الْفِتَنَ، إِنَّ السَّعِيدَ لَمَنْ جُنِّبَ الْفِتَنَ، إِنَّ السَّعِيدَ لَمَنْ جُنِّبَ الْفِتَنَ، وَلَمَنِ ابْتُلِيَ فَصَبَرَ فَوَاهًا “. أبو داود. Al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad (may Allah be pleased with him)…
What to do when someone dies
When someone is close to death, it is a difficult time for their loved ones – in addition to feeling the pain of losing someone dear to them, they may be uncertain about what to do practically. It is natural that one wishes to do everything they can to ease their passing, and ensure that…
Being used in Allah’s service without being replaced
Allah does not need His creation. His religion is established, His decree unfolds, and His command prevails whether people respond or turn away. Yet from His mercy, Allah chooses certain individuals and allows them to be part of His service. This is not a right that one earns, but an honour that one is granted….
Is my salah valid if I was facing the wrong direction?
Facing the qiblah is an essential condition of a valid salah. It is a requirement mentioned clearly in the Quran. Allah says: فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ “So turn your face towards al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you are, turn your faces towards it.” (Surat al-Baqarah 2:144) This command…
Leadership is a test, not just a privilege
In Surat al-Baqarah, Allah says: وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ “And when his Lord tested Ibrahim with certain words, and he fulfilled them. He said, ‘I am making you a leader for humanity.’ He said, ‘And from my…
Can you pray Salatul Janaza for a missing person?
When a person has been missing for a long time, it is natural for people to begin wondering whether they have passed away. Yet, in Islamic law, Salatul Janazah can only be performed if there is certainty. Therefore, as long as the death of the missing person has not been established, Janazah prayer cannot be…