19
May 2021
Abdullah bin Ammar (may Allah be please with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be on him) said: ‘Allah’s pleasure is in what is pleasing to parents, and Allah’s displeasure is in what is displeasing to parents’ (Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim) Parents are a shortcut to jannah Obedience to parents is a shortcut to Allah’s pleasure. Who doesn’t like shortcuts? If you are pleasing your parents, you are pleasing Allah and if you are displeasing your parents, you are displeasing Allah. The concept is short, concise and clear. In the Quran,......
Read More
14
May 2021
The strong believer Allah Almighty wants us to be strong. عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “ المؤمن القوي خير وأحب إلى الله من المؤمن الضعيف وفي كل خير. احرص على ما ينفعك، واستعن بالله وَلاَ تَعْجِزْ. وإن أصابك شيء فلا تقل: لو أني فعلت كان كذا وكذا، ولكن قل: قدر الله، وما شاء فعل؛ فإن لو تفتح عمل الشيطان” (( رواه مسلم)). Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: “A......
Read More
13
May 2021
The surahs recited every Eid Every Eid, the Prophet (peace be on him) used to recite Surat Al A’la in the first rakah and Surat Al Ghashiya in the second rakah, which are two consecutive surahs in the Quran. He recited them at almost every Eid and sometimes at Jummuah. I was wondering why he chose these surahs on these occasions. On these days, the congregation would be as packed as possible. So why did he choose them? I looked at the meaning of these surahs and there are some overlaps. Themes......
Read More
12
May 2021
And Allah drove back the disbelievers in their rage, totally empty-handed. And Allah spared the believers from fighting. For Allah is All-Powerful, Almighty. (33:25) This ayah talks about the Battle of Al Ahzab, which is also known as the Battle of the Ditch and the Battle of Khandaq. Under attack by a powerful enemy The Quraysh mobilised different tribes, including the huge tribe of Ghatafan and the Jewish tribes. They intended to fight the Prophet (peace be on him) and wipe out every trace of Islam. The Prophet (peace be on him)......
Read More
11
May 2021
Allah will reward the truthful and punish the hypocrites Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow , and among them is he who awaits . And they did not alter by any alteration – (33:23) That Allah may reward the truthful for their truth and punish the hypocrites if He wills or accept their repentance. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. (33:24) These two verses talk about truthfulness and fulfilling......
Read More
10
May 2021
Islam came to reform society, to bring justice and rid the community of myths, delusions and harmful practices. It confronted these head on. In Surat al Ahzab Allah Almighty specifically mentioned three claims which people made commonly but were untrue. Allah has not made for any man two hearts in his chest cavity, nor did he make your wives whom you subjected to Zihar, your mothers, nor did he make your adopted sons your (real) sons. That is (merely) a word uttered by your mouths. And Allah says the truth and He......
Read More
10
May 2021
Islam places significant emphasis on looking after orphans and vulnerable children, considering it a highly virtuous and meritorious act. Several teachings in the Quran underscore the importance of caring for orphans and treating them with kindness and compassion. In the Quran Allah Almighty says: “Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but righteousness is one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy,......
Read More
09
May 2021
Your record will be presented to Allah so ensure you are happy with it One of the verses mentions how you will be presented to Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgement and you will not be able to hide anything. Your ins will be out. Your deeds, your records, your heart, you intentions – the good and the bad – will all be laid bare. Exposed. On that day you shall be exposed to view– no secret of yours shall remain hidden. (69:18) In dunya you can hide this from your......
Read More
08
May 2021
Reflections on Surat al Sajdah The Prophet (peace be on him) used to recite Surat Al Sajdah every Jummuah at Fajr in the first rakah, and Surat al Insan. I witnessed our shuyukh following this sunnah. Perfection In this surah, Allah Almighty told us: Who has perfected everything He created. And He originated the creation of humankind from clay. (32:7) Perfection is an attribute of Allah, He perfected everything He made. We go through different stages and levels in our lives – good and bad, and then we die. Death Say, “The......
Read More
07
May 2021
Every year we are keen to catch the blessings of Lailatul Qadr. Allah Almighty dedicated a whole surah to it, to emphasise its importance and grant it further honour. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. ﴿١﴾ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ 1. We sent it down on the Night of Destiny. ﴿٢﴾ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ 2. But how would you know what the Night of Destiny is? ﴿٣﴾ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ 3. The Night of Destiny is better than a......
Read More
07
May 2021
The limitless words of Allah Surat Luqman has a unique and beautiful verse in it: If all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean ˹were ink˺, refilled by seven other oceans, the Words of Allah would not be exhausted. Surely Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. (31:27) The reason behind this revelation was that the disbelievers were challenging the Quran and telling the Prophet (peace be on him) that the revelation would end and there would be nothing after that. Allah Almighty responded by saying imagine if all the trees were pens,......
Read More
07
May 2021
There is a huge charity industry that has grown up in the last few years encouraging people to donate online and with tele-fundraisers during the last ten nights. It was not the common practice of the companions to donate during the night. They generally donated during the day and spent the night in worship. Though the Quran mentions donating during the night, this is a reference to donating publicly and privately, not specific to Ramadan or Lailatul Qadr. Those who spend their wealth by night and day, by stealth and openly, verily......
Read More
05
May 2021
https://youtu.be/o8RRKfzj8yo Anti-Muslim propaganda There is a man among the people who buys discourses of destruction, amusements so he may mislead people from the way of Allah and make a mockery of it. For such people there is a disgraceful punishment. (31:6) Tafseer books mention that this ayah is referring to a man from Quraysh called al-Nadir ibn al Harith. Whenever he heard the Prophet (peace be on him) reciting the Quran, he would turn away with arrogance as if he was deaf: And when Our verses are recited to him, he turns......
Read More
05
May 2021
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 express love, it is assumed that this must be haram. However in order to call something haram you need evidence. You cannot label something haram based on emotions. To give something a haram label is serious matter. It means that the one who does that is sinful and punishable. Imitating non-Muslims One might argue that Valentine’s Day is......
Read More
04
May 2021
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 the successful. (30:38) Success lies in being good to your family Here Allah Almighty is giving us a formula for success. Success comes from giving our relatives their rights. Our relatives (dhul qurba) are our immediate family and extended family. The rights might be financial obligations, or silatul Rahim, which means maintaining good relations with them. We cannot......
Read More