Deconstructing the hadith on greeting non-Muslims with the salam. Insight into the sciences of hadith.
There is common misconception that one may not greet non-Muslims with the salam. Or that you should only reply to them with ‘walaikum‘ not ‘walaikum asalam‘. This opinion is based on the hadith narrated...
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Brotherhood, friendship and wilayah
Brotherhood – To take a friend as a brother for Allah’s sake. Al-Okhuwwah is ‘taking brothers’ for Allah’s sake. This is a very interesting topic and scholars talk about it a great deal. In...
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Muharram and Hijrah – the lessons and virtues
Today’s reflection I about the Hijra (the migration of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him to Madinah) and Muharram. Every year people celebrate the New Islamic Year. The conflation of Muharram with the...
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Be good to your relatives
In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, he explores how to deal with different people. In this section we will look at how to treat relatives. Blood...
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Love thy neighbour
In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, he explores how to deal with different people. In this section we will look at how to treat neighbours. Neighbours...
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The Imposters – protect yourself from being deceived by false knowledge
Seeking authentic knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim Today’s topic is the imposters – those people who claim that they have knowledge and lead people with ignorance. The Prophet (peace be on him)...
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Should you follow a tariqa?
Many people find the idea of their spiritual journey being fast-tracked by joining a tariqa (Sufi path) appealing. They think that their connection with Allah will be strengthened, and accelerated and that showing obedience...
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Do you have to make up missed salah (qadha salah)?
The obligation of salah Praying at the specified time is obligatory for all sane Muslims over the age of puberty. Verily, As Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. (Surah...
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Tribute to the late Shaykh Khalil al Mays
The loss of a dear scholar Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As narrated: حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي أُوَيْسٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، قَالَ...
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Ghazali’s 20 rules for dealing with people. Rules 19-20 Avoid the people of ghaflah and the rights of Muslims
Rule 19: Stay away from those who do not benefit your deen Distance yourself from people of ghaflah (heedlessness). People of ghaflah will impact your level of imaan. Their ghaflah will be reflected by...
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Ghazali’s 20 rules for dealing with people. Rules 16-18 Defend others in their absence, be tactful and be cautious of the company of the rich
Rules 16-20 for dealing with people Rule 16: Supporting your brother or sister in their absence In Imam al Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, the 40 Principles in Religion, he sketches the the...
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Eid al Adha: a time for unity and brotherhood
And when you have performed your holy rites remember God, as you remember your fathers or yet more devoutly. Now some men there are who say, ‘Our Lord, give to us in this world’;...
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Dhul Hijjah and Hajj: An introduction
Allah Almighty mentioned in the Quran that Hajj is ‘a well-known month’, ashurhum malumaat: “Remember Allah (God) during the well-known days.” (2:197) There are three months which are considered holy, because they are months...
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Is it haram to shake hands? How much physical contact is allowed between the sexes in Islam?
In general do not shake hands with the opposite sex The default position is that you should not shake hands with non Mahrams of the opposite sex. Overall, there is no agreed on 100%...
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Ghazali’s 20 rules for dealing with people. Rules 14-15 Hurry to help others and initiate the salam.
Rule 14: Hurry to fulfil the needs of others The Prophet (peace be on him) said: Intercede with me for one another and be rewarded; for indeed I want to do a thing but...
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