Be cautious in your financial dealings – don’t be naive or duped
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Be cautious in your financial dealings – don’t be naive or duped

Once, Umar bin Khatab (may Allah be pleased with him) presided over a court case where he was dubious about the credibility of a witness so asked to speak to someone who knew him, to obtain a reference. One of the men present volunteered that he knew the witness. A man once gave his testimony…

Knowing Allah through His beautiful names 11: Al Hakam and Al Adl

Knowing Allah through His beautiful names 11: Al Hakam and Al Adl

Bringing Allah’s names into our lives Anything related to Allah Almighty is beautiful. When talking about His attributes and His names, we should reflect on how we can live by His names, and activate His names in our lives. Bringing Allah’s names into our lives is transformative. It gives us a new dimension to our…

What is the best source of income?
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What is the best source of income?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) was once asked what type of earning is the best. عَنْ رِفَاعَةَ بْنِ رَافِعٍ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- أَنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-سُئِلَ: أَيُّ اَلْكَسْبِ أَطْيَبُ؟ قَالَ: { عَمَلُ اَلرَّجُلِ بِيَدِهِ, وَكُلُّ بَيْعٍ مَبْرُورٍ } رَوَاهُ اَلْبَزَّارُ، وَصَحَّحَهُ اَلْحَاكِمُ.‏ Rifa’a bin Rafi’ (may Allah…

The joke of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the real worth of the believer
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The joke of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the real worth of the believer

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “There was a man among the people of the desert — his name was Zahir — and he used to bring the Prophet (peace be upon him) a present from the desert, so the Prophet (peace be upon him) would equip him with what he…

How can we be People of the Lord Rabbaniyyin?
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How can we be People of the Lord Rabbaniyyin?

In Surat al Imran, Allah Almighty says مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُؤْتِيَهُ اللَّهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُوا عِبَادًا لِّي مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِن كُونُوا رَبَّانِيِّينَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ الْكِتَابَ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَ No person to whom Allah has given the Scripture, and wisdom, and prophethood would ever say to the people, “Be…

Do you nurture Allah’s plants?
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Do you nurture Allah’s plants?

Abu ‘Inabah Al-Khawlani (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: عن أبي عِنَبَةَ الْخَوْلاَنِيّ، رضي الله تعالى عنه وَكَانَ، قَدْ صَلَّى الْقِبْلَتَيْنِ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ ‏:”‏ لاَ يَزَالُ اللَّهُ يَغْرِسُ…

Key lessons from the three puzzling events in the story of Al-Khidr with Musa (peace be upon them) in Surat al-Kahf
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Key lessons from the three puzzling events in the story of Al-Khidr with Musa (peace be upon them) in Surat al-Kahf

The story of Al-Khidr and Musa (peace be upon them) in Surat al-Kahf contains three important events, each with valuable life lessons that we can learn from. Following a long and arduous journey, Musa (peace be upon him) finally tracked down Al Khidr who was a prophet, who had been granted special insights from Allah….

Knowing Allah through His beautiful names 10: Al Aleem, Al Baseer and Al Samee’
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Knowing Allah through His beautiful names 10: Al Aleem, Al Baseer and Al Samee’

The vital role of understanding Allah in our lives Our foremost obligation is to know Allah Almighty, and reflecting on His beautiful names helps us to do this. Before any other duty, gaining knowledge of Allah Almighty is incumbent upon us. The Quran emphasises this by stating, فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ “Know that…

‘Ashura – Focus on unity not division
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‘Ashura – Focus on unity not division

Allah Almighty says in Surat āl-Imran in the Quran that we should be united: وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ And hold fast to the…

Knowing Allah through His beautiful names 9 – Al Fattah
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Knowing Allah through His beautiful names 9 – Al Fattah

The interconnected meanings of Al-Fattah Al-Fattah is one of Allah Almighty’s names. It has different meanings, but its primary meaning is the Opener, or the One who opens things for you. It also has other meanings which we will look at. For instance, in the only ayah that Al-Fattah has been mentioned in the Quran,…

Knowing Allah thorugh His beautiful names 8: Ar-Razzaaq and Al-Wahhab
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Knowing Allah thorugh His beautiful names 8: Ar-Razzaaq and Al-Wahhab

Allah’s beautiful name Ar-Razzaaq  has been translated in various ways, but they are all connected to rizq, which is provision.  So accordingly, you see the translation of Ar-Razzaq as the Total Provider or the Provider or the Sustainer. Also as the One who creates the sustenance for all His creation. And it is one of…

On losing a child: an Islamic perspective
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On losing a child: an Islamic perspective

The loss of a child is a deeply sorrowful and painful experience for parents and the community. Islam recognises that this is a time of immense grief and therefore, provides clear guidance on how to cope with this tragic event. Find patience and acceptance The death of a child is seen as a test and…