Starvation can never be justified
| |

Starvation can never be justified

Islamic teachings are unequivocal on the matter of sustenance. In Surah al-Aʿrāf, Allah commands: “Do not spread corruption on the earth after it has been set in order” (7:56). Corruption, or fasād, takes many forms, and one of the gravest is denying people the means to survive. Provision is part of the divine balance, and…

O Palestine – A Collection of Khutbahs
|

O Palestine – A Collection of Khutbahs

This powerful collection of Khutbahs by Shaykh Haytham Tamim spans a dark period in our history where our Ummah has been tested with some of the severest atrocities we have witnessed in our lifetime and have been betrayed by world leaders. Offering his weekly reflections on the ongoing struggle for justice in Palestine, Shaykh Haytham…

Misconceptions about dolls and teddy bears in Islam

Misconceptions about dolls and teddy bears in Islam

Skip to content Are teddy bears and dolls permissible in Islam?  Among many parents and educators, questions often arise about whether toys such as teddy bears and dolls are permissible in Islam. Some fear that their presence may be in conflict with Islamic teachings on images or idol-making. However, a close look at the Qur’an,…

The metaphorical use of shade, wind and rain in the Quran

The metaphorical use of shade, wind and rain in the Quran

Shade Allah ﷻ mentions in Surat Al-Furqan: “Have you not seen how your Lord extends the shade? If He had willed, He could have made it stationary. Then We made the sun guide to it. Then We withdraw it to Ourselves with a gradual manner.” (25:45–46) This verse draws our attention to the subtle and…

Is it the sunnah to raise hands in takbir during the salah?

Is it the sunnah to raise hands in takbir during the salah?

Everyone raises their hands to open the salah for takbirat al-ihram. But  is it also necessary to raise the hands in takbir before other positions in the salah, such as going into ruku’ and rising from rukuʿ? This is a matter of scholarly discussion. The Hadith of Ibn ʿUmar عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رضي الله عنهما:أَنَّ…

A blueprint for teaching – learning from the Prophet ﷺ
|

A blueprint for teaching – learning from the Prophet ﷺ

As a teacher, I often reflect on what the Prophet ﷺ would prioritise if he were in our position today. What would his main concern be? It’s a big question and I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I began searching through the Qur’an, hoping to find a clearer picture of the Prophet’s…

Justice and the weight of responsibility. Remembering Srebrenica.
| |

Justice and the weight of responsibility. Remembering Srebrenica.

Upholding justice and responsibility in Islam In Surah an-Nisa, Allah says: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَاللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوَىٰ أَن تَعْدِلُوا ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُوا أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا “O you who…

Treating daughters-in-law as maids is not Islamic
|

Treating daughters-in-law as maids is not Islamic

A daughter-in-law is not a doormat Islam is not just a set of beliefs but a way of life. It is religion in which we are encouraged to help and serve others. However, it is not a religion in which we accept being exploited. Unfortunately, there are cultural practices which oppress daughters-in-law that have no…

How to deal with interference by parents and in-laws within marriage
|

How to deal with interference by parents and in-laws within marriage

One of the most painful realities within many Muslim families today, particularly in South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, is the interference of parents and in-laws in their children’s marriages. Whether it’s choosing a spouse, managing the relationship, or raising grandchildren, this interference often goes beyond well-meaning advice and becomes a cause of long-term damage…

How do you deal with an unjust mother or father in Islam?
|

How do you deal with an unjust mother or father in Islam?

If your mother or father is unjust, their injustice does not nullify their rights over you. The rights of parents (both the mother or father) over their child are immense. Allah has commanded the child to treat his parents kindly, even if they are polytheists and urge him to associate partners with Allah. Allah says:…

Callers at the Gates of Jahannam
| |

Callers at the Gates of Jahannam

The Prophet ﷺ warned his ummah of times that would come when clarity would fade, and truth would be mixed with falsehood. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (may Allah be pleased with him) used to ask the Messenger of Allah ﷺ not about good, but about evil, fearing it might reach him. He said, “O Messenger of…

The danger of betrayal – Lessons from Karbala
|

The danger of betrayal – Lessons from Karbala

The Prophet ﷺ warned us of a trait that lies at the heart of hypocrisy: “There are three signs of a hypocrite: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays the trust.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim) Betrayal (khiyana) is not a small sin….