There are simple deeds that carry extraordinary rewards. One of these is performing the voluntary prayers that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) consistently prayed alongside the obligatory prayers. In a beautiful hadith, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever prays twelve rakahs in a day and night, a house will…
Throughout history, oppression has followed predictable patterns, and tyrants have repeated the same tactics to silence dissent and maintain their grip on power. The exchange between Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and Firaun depicted in Surat Ash-Shu’ara, offers a blueprint of oppression that we still see being used today. Allah Almighty commanded Musa (peace…
It is recommended to pray Tahiyyatul Masjid (two rak’ahs to greet the mosque.) when you enter the mosque. Additionally it is recommended to pray Sunnah before Jumu’ah (either 2 or 4 rak’ahs). You may combine the intention of Tahiyyatul Masjid with the Sunnah ra’kahs. So if you pray 2 rak’ahs intending both Tahiyyatul Masjid and…
What to do if a salah has started when you arrive If someone joins the congregation after the salah has begun, they are considered a masbuq (a latecomer). If you arrive late, and the jama (congregation) has began to pray the salah, how do you join in? How you complete your salah depends on how…
Can you perform Umrah or Tawaf on behalf of someone else? Can you perform Umrah or Tawaf on behalf of a loved one who has passed away or someone unable to go themselves? The answer is: yes, you can. Here’s what you need to know. Performing Umrah for someone else (Umrah Badal) You can…
What did the Prophet (peace be upon him) fear the most for his Ummah? Imran bin Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: روى البزار والطبراني في المعجم الكبير عن عمران بن حصين رضي الله عنهما قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم…
Salah is a prescriptive form of worship. It is performed in accordance with the way the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed it. Based on the various hadith that recorded the way the Prophet (peace be upon him) sat during his salah, different schools of thought vary in their understanding. As all schools follow authentic…
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, Allah folded the earth for me, and I saw its east and west, and the dominion of my Ummah will reach what was folded for me.” (Muslim) This hadith is a glimpse into the future—a part of the Unseen (ghayb). Knowledge of the Unseen belongs only to…
In Surat Nur, Allah Almighty stated: فِی بُیُوتٍ أَذِنَ ٱللَّهُ أَن تُرۡفَعَ وَیُذۡكَرَ فِیهَا ٱسۡمُهُۥ یُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ فِیهَا بِٱلۡغُدُوِّ وَٱلۡـَٔاصَالِ (Such light shines) in houses which Allah has permitted to be raised up and in which His name is remembered. Highly exalting Him therein, mornings and before sunset, (24:36) رِجَالࣱ لَّا تُلۡهِیهِمۡ تِجَـٰرَةࣱ وَلَا…
The topic of the signs of the Day of Judgment is a very huge topic, and scholars, such as Imam Qurtubi have written books on it. There are indeed many books dedicated to these signs based on verses in the Quran as well as narrations from the Sunnah. Here, I will focus on some of…
One of the principles that is important in Islam: the concept of “satr,” which is concealing faults and mistakes. This concept applies in two directions: personal and private mistakes, and the mistakes or sins of others. Satr – concealing faults Concealing faults is one of the main principles in Islam. Islam encourages us to conceal…
Leaving what does not concern you is one of the main principles of Islam. In the very famous hadith, reported by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Part of the excellence of a someone’s Islam is that he leaves what does not concern him.”…
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…
A young boy said to me after my Eid Khutbah: “You are the best Imam!” I don’t think this is the case, however at Eid Al-Adha one year, I led the prayer and delivered my usual short Khutbah – about 5 minutes at the Muslim World League at Goodge Street in central London. After I…
In the verses of fasting in Surat al-Baqarah, Allah says that He wants ease for us, not hardship, and that we should complete the prescribed days and glorify Him for guiding us — and that we may be grateful. وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ“…and so that you complete the prescribed period,…