Review Time – Where Do You Stand? O you who have believed, be conscious of Allah. And let every soul see what it has sent forth for tomorrow – and be conscious of Allah. Indeed, Allah is aware of what you do. (59:18) Allah Almighty is talking about the concept of time in this…
Spending Wisely – Avoid the Mania Spending without Extravagance In Surah Furqan, Allah Almighty describes ibadur Rahman (the obedient servants) of Allah Almighty. Amongst their attributes, He mentions that they do not overspend and they do not act with stinginess, but they take a moderate way between them. And [they are] those who, when they…
More Lessons from Bani Israel And when We appointed forty nights for Musa, then you took the calf (as God) thereafter, and you were unjust. (51) Yet We pardoned you, even after that, so that you may show gratitude. (52) Then We gave Musa the Book and the Criterion (of right and wrong), so that…
The Importance of Aiming High ‘Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.’ (18:7) What is zeenah? We recite surah Kahf every Friday. And in this surah, Allah Almighty says we have made what is…
What Qualities a Teacher of Deen Should Have The observation of Allah Almighty, in the life of a teacher, is perhaps the single most important aspect a teacher should have; the others are secondary features that fall into place when the first is present. As the teacher is acting as a representative of Allah and…
Do you have to Practice What You Preach? And be steadfast in Salah (prayer), and pay Zakah, and bow down with those who bow down. (43) Do you enjoin righteousness upon others while you ignore your own selves, although you keep reciting the Book? Have you then no sense? (2:44) Allah Almighty is pointing out…
How to Escape the Clutches of the Nafs Seek help through patience and prayer. It is indeed exacting, but not for those who are humble in their hearts, (45) Who bear in mind that they are to meet their Lord, and that to Him they are to return. (2:45-46) What prevents us from caving into…
Letting Go Memory is a funny thing. There some things we can’t forget and some things we can’t remember… The role of memory in our lives plays an important role but we need to make an active effort to retain what is important and to delete what is not. O Children of Isra’il (Israel), remember…
The Lessons from Adam and Eve And when We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourselves before ’Adam!” So, they prostrated themselves, all but Iblis (Satan). He refused, showed arrogance and became one of the infidels. (34) And We said, “O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise; and eat at pleasure wherever you like,…
What is Fitnah and What can I do to Protect Myself from It? We hear the word all the time. But what is the definition of fitnah, what fitnahs are we not aware of? And what did Allah the Almighty give us to save us from it? Once Umar bin Khattab asked a question: ‘Who…
The Fool Proof Way to Achieve Failure Obey God and His Messenger. Do not quarrel with each other lest you fail or lose honour. Exercise patience; God is with those who have patience. (8:56) Fool Proof Way to Weaken the Ummah We have all read this ayah, and memorised this ayah but unfortunately we have…
The Courage to Recognise the Truth ‘O Children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfil your covenant with Me and I shall fulfil My covenant with you and fear none but Me. (40) And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you, and…
How to Keep Knowledge Safe Moving Away from Student Mentality We all know that from experience that sitting in a classroom as a student is not the same as being in the class as the teacher. The difference is in the preparation. If you were the teacher, you would have prepared the subject matter, what topics…
Gluing the Ummah Back Together Allah the Almighty mentions in Surah Al Imran one of the fundamental verses in the Qur’an concerning the unity of the ummah: And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you – when you were enemies…
What is the Best Way to Cope with Family Politics? Indeed in Yusuf and his brothers, there are lessons for men of understanding’ (12:111) Extreme Sibling Rivalry The main focus of the story of Yusuf (peace be on him) and his brothers is the conflict between them. Allah the Almighty says in this story there are many…