Trapped in false narratives

Trapped in false narratives

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…

Being grateful on Eid
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Being grateful on Eid

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,…

Which day should I celebrate Eid if I started on a different day to everyone else?
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Which day should I celebrate Eid if I started on a different day to everyone else?

If you travel during Ramadan, it’s possible that the place you arrive at is celebrating Eid a day earlier than where you started. In that case, you should celebrate Eid with the local community and not fast while they are celebrating. You should then make up the missed fast after Ramadan, as soon as possible.

There is no barakah in haram rizq
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There is no barakah in haram rizq

Surah Hud contains the stories of several prophets, including Shuayb (peace be upon him). He said to his people: إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلْإِصْلَـٰحَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُ ۚ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِىٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ I want nothing but to set things right as far as I can. My ability to do anything comes from none but Allah. [11:88] There…

A good outcome requires effort

A good outcome requires effort

In Surat Hud, Allah Almighty mentions different stories from different prophets and messengers, including Nuh, Hud, Salih and Ibrahim (peace be upon them). After the story of Nuh, Allah says to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): تِلۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ نُوحِيهَآ إِلَيۡكَۖ مَا كُنتَ تَعۡلَمُهَآ أَنتَ وَلَا قَوۡمُكَ مِن قَبۡلِ هَٰذَاۖ فَٱصۡبِرۡۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَٰقِبَةَ…

Can a camel climb a tree? The inimitability and uniqueness of the Quran

Can a camel climb a tree? The inimitability and uniqueness of the Quran

Surah Hud is a Makki surah, revealed during a time when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the early believers were facing intense pressure and rejection. The Quraysh, who prided themselves on their eloquence and mastery of the Arabic language, began questioning the very foundation of the message:  Was this Quran truly divine,…

Don’t expect Allah to do your job for you
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Don’t expect Allah to do your job for you

There are two important ayahs at the end of Surah Yunus. The first ayah is: قُلِ ٱنظُرُوا۟ مَاذَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَا تُغْنِى ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتُ وَٱلنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٍۢ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ Say, “Look at what is there in the heavens and the earth.” But, signs and warnings do not suffice a people who do not believe….

The Quran is a cure
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The Quran is a cure

Surat Yunus contains some extremely beautiful verses: يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَآءٌۭ لِّمَا فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ قُلْ بِفَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِۦ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا۟ هُوَ خَيْرٌۭ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ O men, there has come to you an advice from your Lord, and a cure for the ailments of your hearts, and guidance and…

The best reward is seeing Allah
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The best reward is seeing Allah

The immense reward of doing good One of the beautiful ayahs in Surah Yunus is: ۞لِّلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٞۖ  وَلَا يَرۡهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمۡ قَتَرٞ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِۖ  هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ For them who have done good is the best [reward] and extra. No darkness will cover their faces, nor humiliation. Those are companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally (10:26) In this ayah, Allah is talking…

Losing the ethical framework that protects humanity
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Losing the ethical framework that protects humanity

‫لَقَدۡ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ إِذۡ بَعَثَ فِیهِمۡ رَسُولاً مِّنۡ أَنفُسِهِمۡ یَتۡلُوا۟ عَلَیۡهِمۡ ءَایَـٰتِهِۦ وَیُزَكِّیهِمۡ وَیُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِی ضَلَـٰلࣲ مُّبِین ٍ Indeed, Allah has bestowed a great favour upon the believers by sending them a Messenger from among themselves, who recites to them His signs, purifies them, and teaches them…