Emily Bronte, in Wuthering Heights, noted the damaging impact that anger can have on those around us, as well as how self-destructive anger itself is. She said: ‘Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends, they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies’ We are all familiar with the Marvel figure…
The default position is to pray at the prescribed time. This is because Allah commanded us to pray at designated times. He did not say that we could pray all our salah for one day in one go. When there are exceptional circumstances, we are permitted to combine Dhur and Asr, or Maghrib and Isha…
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 chapter entitled Tazkiya al Qulub, ‘The Purification of the Heart’, he pinpoints blameworthy characteristics which we need to extract from our heart, in particular he…
Can Muslims take a joke? 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 chapter entitled Tazkiya al Qulub, ‘The Purification of the Heart’, he pinpoints blameworthy characteristics which we…
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Verily, the parable of myself and the people is that of a man who kindled a fire. When it lighted what was around it, moths and insects started falling into the fire. The man tried to pull them out, but they overcame…
There are various duas for a good end to one’s life. Ibn ‘Umar heard a man wishing for death, and said: Do not wish for death, for you will surely die; rather ask Allah for well-being. A timely end We ask Allah for our life span to be good and to take our souls when…
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) was the final messenger and had the perfect character, and the perfect religion. Though there were messengers and prophets before him, Abu Sa’id reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: نْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَا سَيِّدُ وَلَدِ…
Our mission is to deliver the divine message. Not to convert people. Yet we have a common misconception that we can convert people to the truth. In fact, no one can convert people. Then, if they argue with you, say: “I have submitted myself to Allah, and (so did) those who have followed me.” And…
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, In his chapter entitled Tazkiya al Qulub, The Purification of the Heart, he pinpoints the blameworthy characteristics we need to extract from our heart and explores the evils of…
It is important for those teaching the deen to their community to be in touch with it. In fact, Allah Almighty talked about this openly in Surat Ibrahim when He said: ‘Wa ma ‘arsalna mir-rasoulin ‘illa bi-lisani qaw-mihee ‘We have never sent a messenger but in the language of his people’. [14:4] The delivery of…
The answer is a full course question. The simple answer is you have to focus on what Allah Almighty will ask you about. Just ask yourself, would Allah ask you about this if you didn’t do it? If no, then don’t make it your priority, make your priority what Allah will ask you about. Your…
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be on him) said: The severe weather in winter and summer is from hell. It is reminder to us when we have extremely hot weather to say I seek refuge from the heat of hellfire, and also when we have cold…
Fix your foundation first Reading Sufi books without proper knowledge or training from the well-educated people in this science, is not a good idea. You can easily misunderstand what has been written or go in the wrong direction. Scholars do not teach tasawwuf until their students understand fard ‘ayn I remember my teachers (may Allah…
Imam Ghazali’s book Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The 40 Principles of the Faith is a summary of his great work, Ihya Ulumuddin which he wrote before he died. In the chapter on the purification of the heart, he breaks down the traits we need to excise from ourselves, and begins by focusing on the…
Imam Ghazali’s book Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The 40 Principles of the Faith is a summary of his great work, Ihya Ulumuddin. In his chapter on the purification of the heart, he explores how to rid one’s self of bad traits, and talks about the evils of the tongue. The desire to speak All…