Main principles in Islam: Know Allah (part 3) What does it mean to know Allah, love Allah, and call on Allah? What does remembering Him entail? Obligation to know Allah Knowing Allah is an obligation for every human. We know this but we need to dig deeper for it to impact our lives. In his…
Muslims need to Go Green When your Lord said to the angels, I am placing a successor on earth.’ They said, ‘Will You place in it someone who will cause corruption in it and shed blood, while we declare Your praises and sanctify You?’ He said,’ I know what you do not know. (2:30) Humans…
The People of Jannah The Prophet (peace be upon him): ‘The people of Jannah will be of three kinds: 1- A just, muwaffaq, successful and charitable ruler, 2- a man who shows mercy to his relatives and Muslims with a soft heart, 3- and a dignified person who has a large family and refrains from…
Catch it. Bin it. Kill it. Allah does not like the public mention of evil except by one who has been wronged. And ever is Allah Hearing and Knowing. (4:148) This ayah is one of the main Quranic ayahs on social discipline and how to deal with gossip and rumours. There are five main principles…
The Prostration of Forgetfulness There are two methods of performing sajda al sahw (the prostration of forgetfulness): The Hanafi Method When you reach the last rakat, recite at-tahiyaat till the end innaka Hameedun Majeed. Make a single salam to the right. Perform 2 additional prostrations (with subhana rabiyal a’la three times). Complete your salah: Recite at-tahiyaat till…
Protecting our youth Glorified is the One who has sovereignty and He is able to do anything. The one who created death and life in order to test you, who among you is best in conduct and He is All Forgiving Almighty. (67:1-2) Among the incidents that are sadly taking place everyday in London,…
Inspiration from the Hijra 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…
Be One Ummah in the Face of Adversity A Muslim is a Muslim’s brother. He does not wrong him, or let him down, or hand him over to his enemies, or despise him. (Muslim) Stick to principles Going back to basics, sticking to our principles makes our ummah a special ummah. Unfortunately, with all…
Are you in control or under control? In his chapter on greed (at tama’: الطمع), long before Imam Al Ghazali wrote about spirituality, the third century scholar Imam Muhasibi (died in 857AD/243H) has his own unique take on it, and explored it in his beautiful and deep book Ādāb un Nufus. He said you should…
Realising the mundane is extraordinary In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, are signs for people of understanding. (3:190) Those who remember God while standing, and sitting, and on their sides; and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our…
Allah Almighty Almighty mentioned in numerous verses in the Quran that we are tested. In one of these verses He said: We have created death and life to test which of you is best in his conduct. (67:2) The challenging nature of life Without doubt our tests, tribulations and calamities from Allah Almighty are…
How trust and love can lead to great things During the preparation for the Battle of the Ditch (when Madinah was surrounded) one big rock could not be moved when digging the ditch. The Prophet (peace be on him) just stroked it once and it sparked, he then said ‘Allahu Akbar, I can see…
How the event of Hudaibiyah changed history The Prophet (peace be on him) had names for things such as his swords, shields and camel. The Prophet (peace be on him) rode a camel called ‘Al-Qaswa’ during Umrah, which was a very fast and reliable camel. Not all camels can be used for travel – only…
Getting a grip on Anger, Fear and Sadness Is Shaytan more powerful than us or not? Shaytan has the ability to disappear, but you don’t. He can take different shapes, but you can’t. He can see you, but you can’t see him. He can influence you, but you can’t influence him. He can come and…
The Day of Gathering Stopping (wuquf) at Arafah is a crucial part of Hajj. Hajj is not accepted if this part was missed. It is one of the 3 pillars or fards of Hajj. The pillars are: Ihram, Wuquf at Arafah and tawaf al-Ifada. If any of these are missed, or there is a mistake in them, it…