Unpicking the concept of wasilah – can you visit shrines or ask people to pray for you?
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Unpicking the concept of wasilah – can you visit shrines or ask people to pray for you?

O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek wasila the [means of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed. (5:35)   يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُوا فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ yaa ayyuha-lladheena aamanu-ttaqu-llaaha wabtaghoo ilayhil waseelata wa jaahidoo fee sabeelihee la’allakum tuflihoon Tawassul Seeking…

Self-isolation - the chance for a fresh start
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Self-isolation – the chance for a fresh start

I’d like to share two thoughts with you. The first one is about Sha’ban, which started a couple of days ago and the second is self-isolation. Sha’ban As Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated the Prophet (peace be on him) used to fast in Sha’ban more than any other month. Aishah (may Allah…

Should the deceased from the coronavirus have ghusl or tayammum?
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Should the deceased from the coronavirus have ghusl or tayammum?

Sadly there is widespread confusion over whether to perform ghusl over those who have passed away due to the coronavirus. Need for clarity As well as the distress and bereavement of losing loved members of the family and community, there is anxiety among families on the issue, and a need for clarity and assurance that the…

Why have we been sent the Coronavirus?
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Why have we been sent the Coronavirus?

Signs الإعراض والاستغفار What we are going through is very severe. But also very special. We have read in history about plagues and famines and calamities but we never lived through one of these. Subhanallah Allah in his destiny has written that we would live this moment. This calamity. Let’s reflect on why Allah sent these…

You can't fake love. To reach the highest level of imaan you have to love for others what you love yourself

You can’t fake love. To reach the highest level of imaan you have to love for others what you love for yourself

Love for people what you love for yourself, you will be a good Muslim. (Tirmidhi) Why did the Prophet (peace be on him) say this? What is the core of this message? Love is the antidote to envy When you wish good for someone it is an antidote to envy. (Though it is fine to…

The Coronavirus: Lessons from a calamity
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The Coronavirus: Lessons from a calamity

: عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم-: «قَالَ اللَّهُ -تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى-: إِذَا ابْتَلَيْتُ عَبْدِي الْمُؤْمِنَ، فَلَمْ يَشْكُنِي إِلَى عُوَّادِهِ، أَطْلَقْتُهُ مِنْ إسَارِي، ثُمَّ أَبْدَلْتُهُ لَحْمًا خَيْرًا مِنْ لَحْمِهِ، وَدَمًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَمِهِ، ثُمَّ يَسْتَأْنِفُ الْعَمَلَ». صححه الحاكم، ووافقه الذهبي، وصححه الألباني في السلسلة الصحيحة. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said…

The Coronavirus: Protect your self. Do not attend Jummah until it is safe.
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The Coronavirus: Protect yourself. Do not attend Jummuah until it is safe.

  Allah Almighty said: We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast. (2:155) وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ   The Coronavirus is a test for us all Without doubt…

Keeping clear of the coronavirus by being sensible and using dua
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Keeping clear of the coronavirus by being sensible and using dua

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast. (2:155) الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ Those who, when a calamity…

How to go from the bitterness of sabr to the sweetness of Allah's love
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How to go from the bitterness of sabr to the sweetness of Allah’s love

Ascending levels of spirituality: Sabr – khawf – mahabbah Al-Imam Al-Muhasibi’s* book “Ādāb An Nufus” has very deep reflections on how to discipline yourself, and how to increase your closeness to Allah Almighty by moving higher step by step, which is unique. Level 1 – Sabr (Patience) He defined sabr as going against what you…

gaining Allah's pleasure
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Gaining Allah’s pleasure

Pleasure flows two ways. You earn Allah’s pleasure, rida Allahi ta’ala – when YOU yourself are pleased with Him. As we see from the Hadith Qudsi, the People of Jannah experience layers upon layers of pleasure- and Allah Almighty reveals the pinnacle of their pleasure…   عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى…

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Rajab and the Sacred Months – creating tranquility to worship

Rajab and the sacred months The number of months, according to Allah, is twelve months—in the decree of Allah—since the Day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are sacred. This is the correct religion. So do not wrong yourselves during them. (9:36) Rajab is a sacred month. One of the 4…

putting the brakes on desire and resisting temptation
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Putting the brakes on desire and resisting temptation

  Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Paradise is surrounded by hardships and the Hell-Fire is surrounded by temptations. (Muslim) Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: Hellfire is screened by desires, and Paradise is screened by difficulties. So whoever penetrates the…