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…
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…
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…
The word “narcissist” is now used so casually that it has almost lost meaning. A rude spouse, a selfish parent, a difficult manager, or an arrogant friend may quickly be labelled narcissistic. Sometimes this may be accurate. Often it is not. Islam repeatedly stresses the importance of fairness and precision. So, Muslims should not casually…
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….
Refreshing the Soul in Ramadan Striving Any achievement requires hard work. It needs sacrifices and it needs commitment. But we live in a world of instant and constant self-gratification. So, we have to strive to reach our potential, we have to strive against the pulls in a world of social media, surplus food, constant stream…
Why would someone born in London, who had lived her entire life in London, and who had very few close friends in a headscarf choose to wear a headscarf (hijab)? Let me start by asking: When is a piece of cloth not just a piece of cloth? When it is a superhero cape. This is…
As another year draws to a close, momentarily our attention is drawn to the passing of time. Certain milestones flicker in our minds. Shaky legs learnt to walk, wobbly teeth fell out, exams were passed (though not always), knots were tied, steady legs began to wobble and loved ones left us. 365 days expired – never…
Following my exciting adventure up Jabal Nour, I decide to embark on my next escapade… Mount Uhud. Free to go where I want, when I want, how I want… the prospect is exciting. Following another negotiation with a taxi driver in which I know he is overcharging me, I swiftly agree to 50 Riyals –…
Something inside me said ‘Leave right now!’ I felt I didn’t have a moment to lose. I quickly slipped on my trainers and threw on my abaya, wondering whether it would be getting in my way when I was climbing… As I prepared to leave, Mum wondered why I was in such a rush, we…
Journey through the events of the Last Day as vividly described in the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah. This booklet brings to life every stage, from the blowing of the Trumpet to the gathering of humanity, the weighing of deeds, and the crossing of the Sirat. Written in accessible language, with authentic references, and powerful imagery,…
Blame in the Quran 1. Refusal to take responsibility In the Quran, we see that blame is used frequently by disbelievers to avoid taking responsibility. They blame their refusal to believe on the fact that the Messenger (peace be upon him) was human, rather than an angel. وَقَالُواْ مَالِ هَٰذَا ٱلرَّسُولِ يَأۡكُلُ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمۡشِي فِي…
As the media continues to distort reality feeding false narratives upon false narratives, and megalomaniacal despots continue to lie brazenly, eliciting the truth is not always straightforward. At an interpersonal level, as Shaytan comes back post-Ramadan, conflicts resume between individuals, family members, friends. Inflamed by a distorted recollection of an exchange, false narratives take root…
This year Ramadan has fallen in spring. The shoots are peeping out of the ground and the blossoms are unfurling on the trees. In his poem Rising Five, Norman Nicholson said: Around him in the field, the cells of springBubbled and doubled; buds unbuttoned; shootAnd stem shook out the creases from their frills,And every tree…
What makes it so hard to keep resolutions? Is it ingrained patterns of behaviour that are hard to change? Is it that the desire for comfort and pleasure keeps trumping the ungraspable desire to be a better, fitter, more successful version of ourselves? Or is it the desire to escape pain and discomfort which we…