Is Valentine’s Day haram?
Many people consider Valentine’s Day to be haram. This is generally based on an emotional assumption. As Valentine’s Day is part of Western Culture and Islamically we do not have a day when people...
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The formula for success. Reflections on Surat Ar Rum
So give your relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveller. That is best for those who desire the face of Allah, and it is they who will be...
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Striving unblocks your path. Lessons from Surat al Ankabut
Strive In the last ayah of Surat Ankabout Allah Almighty mentions jihad: As for those who strive (Jahadu) in Our cause, We shall surely guide them to Our Ways. (29:69) As this is a...
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The truth threatens wrongdoers, but brings peace to its followers. Lessons from Surat al Ankabut
The story of Musa and Ibrahim (peace be on them) and their continual debates with their people recurs throughout the Quran. Though the Quran is not a book of stories, the stories (qasas)...
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Corruption, arrogance and temptation – the story of Qarun in Surat al Qasas
Towards the end of Surat al Qasas, Allah Almighty mentions the story of Qarun. He says: Indeed Qarun was from the people of Musa – he then oppressed them; and We gave him so...
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The blessings of Qiyamullayl
As we approach the last ten nights of Ramadan, I would like to share with you the blessings of qiyam al layl, (night prayers) in general. Tarawih during Ramadan is qiyam Ramadan. Qiyam and...
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The truth meets resistance when it clashes with desire. Reflections from Surat al Qasas
When Allah sent the truth to the people of Makkah and the cities surrounding it, the Prophet (peace be on him) was delivering the message to everyone. There had been no prophet or messenger...
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Lessons in trusting Allah – Surat al Qasas
It is the beauty of the words of Allah Almighty that we continue to find meanings, lessons and inspiration in His words and verses. They are always alive and talking to you. We need...
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God vs gods – the debate in Surat Naml
In the debate between the Prophet (peace be on him) and the disbelievers, Allah Almighty provides him with the right questions and answers to pose, and these are really special. They challenge the status...
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Wisdoms from the story of Suleman (peace be on him) and the Queen of Sheba from Surat Al Naml
The kingdom of Suleman (peace be on him) We came across the story of Suleman (peace be on him) who was given special miracles. Suleman had the most magnificent kingdom of any prophet. Some...
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The message of anti-corruption is always met with resistance – Reflections on Surat al-Shu’araa’
Shuayb (peace be on him) was one of the five Arab prophets, (the others being Hud, Salih, Ismail and Muhammad, peace be on them). He lived in Madyan (Midian, which is a large area...
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Challenging unfair traditions – reflections on Surat al Al-Shu’araa’
There are numerous lessons for us in the exchanges between people in the Quran, like Musa (peace be on him) and Firaun and between Ibrahim and his father and his people. Lessons in the...
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How the arrogant refuse to admit defeat
The debate between Musa (peace be on him) and Firaun features in different places in the Quran and is very interesting when it is collected together. It also appears in Surat Ash Shu’ara, which...
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There are no coincidences
Creation has precision In the beginning of Surat al Furqan, which is a Makki surah, Allah Almighty said: تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦ لِيَكُونَ لِلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ نَذِيرًا (١) Glorious is the One who has...
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The Great Struggle – Reflections on Surat al Furqan
This is a Makki surah, which bears the characteristics of the early revelations before the migration to Madinah and the foundation of a Muslim society. Makki surahs focus on establishing belief and questioning the...
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