Why should our shuyukh be more in touch with our community and culture?
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Why should our shuyukh be more in touch with our community and culture?

It is important for those teaching the deen to their community to be in touch with it. In fact, Allah Almighty talked about this openly in Surat Ibrahim when He said:  ‘Wa ma ‘arsalna mir-rasoulin ‘illa bi-lisani qaw-mihee  ‘We have never sent a messenger but in the language of his people’. [14:4] The delivery of…

How do you balance living in this world and your imaan, without compromising either?

How do you balance living in this world and your imaan, without compromising either?

The answer is a full course question. The simple answer is you have to focus on what Allah Almighty will ask you about. Just ask yourself, would Allah ask you about this if you didn’t do it? If no, then don’t make it your priority, make your priority what Allah will ask you about. Your…

Studying tasawwuf – what to read and what to avoid

Studying tasawwuf – what to read and what to avoid

Fix your foundation first Reading Sufi books without proper knowledge or training from the well-educated people in this science, is not a good idea. You can easily misunderstand what has been written or go in the wrong direction. Scholars do not teach tasawwuf until their students understand fard ‘ayn I remember my teachers (may Allah…

ghazali on backbiting
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Ghazali on Backbiting – why people do it, when you can do it, how to stop doing it

Imam Ghazali’s book Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The 40 Principles of the Faith is a summary of his great work, Ihya Ulumuddin which he wrote before he died. In the chapter on the purification of the heart, he breaks down the traits we need to excise from ourselves, and begins by focusing on the…

Is a woman’s voice her awrah?

Is a woman’s voice her awrah?

O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women. If you fear Allah, then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech. (33:32) يَٰنِسَآءَ ٱلنَّبِىِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ إِنِ ٱتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِٱلْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ ٱلَّذِى فِى قَلْبِهِۦ…

Racism and Islamphobia – the tip of an ugly iceberg

Racism and Islamphobia – the tip of an ugly iceberg

Racism and Islamphobia are not acceptable today. There were not acceptable yesterday and will not be acceptable tomorrow. Nike has joined Tetley, Yorkshire Tea and other sponsors in dropping Yorkshire Cricket Club which plays at one of England’s most historic and prestigious grounds (Headingley), following the allegations by Azeem Rafiq of being institutionally racist and…

The lasting miracle of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him): His character
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The lasting miracle of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him): His character

Muhammad (peace be on him) We do not only celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (peace be on him) in Rabbi al Awwal, although according to the most authentic narrations he was born on 12th Rabbi al Awwal, but we celebrate it by following his example throughout the year in our actions, in the way…

Al Ghazali on the 7 benefits of feeling hungry
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Al Ghazali on the 7 benefits of feeling hungry

In Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, which is a summary of his great work, Ihya Ulum ad-Din, he talks about how to purify the heart by ridding oneself of bad traits. One of these is Sharah at- ta’am which is gluttony. Gluttony Ghazali dwells at length…