During Makkan times, Allah Almighty was drawing the attention of non-believers to His signs, and prompting them to think about who was the originator of the universe and the world. He pointed out the wonders of creation around them, so that they could distinguish between the truth and their misguided inherited beliefs, which they were…
Today’s reflection is about selfishness, which is known al athara الأثرة and al isti’thar الاستئثار in classical Arabic, and in colloquial Arabic, it is ananiyyah أنانية , which is wrong but commonly used. Paradox – Putting your interests before others is not actually in your interests Selfishness is a disease of the heart and we…
https://www.youtube.com/live/nLlHxgWwwzg?si=glTPkkuIWkY2HslX وَفِي الْأَرْضِ آيَاتٌ لِلْمُوقِنِينَ وَفِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ In the earth, there are signs for those who (seek truth to) believe, (51:20) And in your own selves! So, do you not perceive? (51:21) Signs This is a very inspiring ayah. Allah Almighty is telling us that He created signs far and wide which…
During the miraculous night journey of Isra wal Miraj, the Prophet (peace be on him) saw some of the people of hellfire. The scenes are vivid and terrifying, and a stark deterrent to sin, as they graphically represent the sin and the punishments they incurr. The punishment for backbiting and slander Anas ibn Malik reported…
The journey to the heavens The Prophet (saw) was then taken to the Hijr, the semi-circular wall of the Ka‘bah, where the Prophet (saw) said that Jibril, ‘opened my chest, and washed it with Zamzam water. Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith, and having poured its contents into my chest,…
A wondrous journey سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ “Glory be to Him, Who took His servant during the night from the Sacred House to the farthest mosque of which We have blessed the precincts, so that We may show…
Ibn Abbas mentioned that Surat al Qalam was the second surah to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). Not all of the surah was revealed at once, just as not all of Surat al Alaq, the first surah to be revealed was conveyed in one go. The surahs which followed these…
Is music haram in Islam? Common misconceptions Many Muslims grow up believing that music is haram, an absolute prohibition. They do not appreciate that it is not a black and white issue, like pork for example. It is often presented as a cut and dried verdict with little room for disagreement. The reality is that…
Salatul Hajah The Prophet (peace be on him) used to make many comprehensive dua. The dua Hajah teaches us how to ask Him for help. `Abdullah bin Abi Awfa narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him) said: “Whoever has a need from Allah, or from one of the sons of Adam, then let him…
In Islam we believe that Allah is Al Shafi, the One who cures and heals. Though Allah controls the cure, He provides different channels through which the cure is delivered. At our disposal we have medicine, dua and ruqya. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also used cupping (hijama). Jabir (may Allah be pleased with…
There will always be different opinions We are not photocopies of each other. Not everyone thinks the same way and has the same understanding or opinions on matters, whether they are about religion, politics, social issues or schools of thought. This presents a challenge and source of tension and conflict among us. In the Quran,…
Ramadan is a month of ibadah and increasing our closeness to Allah Almighty by increasing in our worship. Whether it is our recitation of the Quran or by doing additional salah. One of these is the tarawih prayer. The tarawih prayer is a sunnah prayer. Abu Huraira narrated: I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace be on…
فضل تلاوة القرآن The Prophet (peace be on him) encouraged his companions to recite the Quran in a beautiful voice. Al-Bara’ bin Azib reported him as saying: “Beautify the Quran with your voices.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi) عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «زَيِّنُوا الْقُرْآنَ بِأَصْوَاتِكُمْ»…
The Witr Guide What is the correct way to pray witr? When should it be prayed? And what should you recite? There are differences in the schools of thought on this matter, based on different narrations, which we will summarise for you inshallah. What is the witr prayer? Witr means odd number. It is the…
We are all familiar with the concept of shaheed when it is related to the one who sacrifices their life for Allah with the right intention. What does shaheed mean in Islam? The word shaheed (shahid) means witness, and martyrs are called shaheed because their blood will be witness for them. What are the different…