The link between manners, moral values and feelings

The link between manners, moral values and feelings

Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: إِذَا كُنْتُمْ ثَلاَثَةً فَلاَ يَتَنَاجَى اثْنَانِ دُونَ الثَّالِثِ، فَإِنَّهُ يُحْزِنُهُ ذَلِكَ‏.‏ ‘When three of you get together in company, two of you must not talk privately while isolating the third so as not to make…

Prophetic wisdom on the etiquettes of a group of three
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Prophetic wisdom on the etiquettes of a group of three

Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: إِذَا كُنْتُمْ ثَلاَثَةً فَلاَ يَتَنَاجَى اثْنَانِ دُونَ الثَّالِثِ، فَإِنَّهُ يُحْزِنُهُ ذَلِكَ‏.‏ ‘When three of you get together in company, two of you must not talk privately while isolating the third so as not to make…

Ghazali’s third secret – control desire
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Ghazali’s third secret – control desire

Following the Sunnah In Imam Ghazali’s 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 has a chapter on Following the Sunnah. He discusses the importance of following the Prophet (peace be on him) and establishing a bondship with him. Not…

Ghazali on how to bring light to your heart. Tips on following the Sunnah
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Ghazali on how to bring light to your heart. Tips on following the Sunnah

We are still reading from the book of Imam Ghazali 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.    In his chapter on Following the Sunnah, he talks about the importance of following the Prophet (peace be on him) and establishing…

White lies, big fat lies and hypocrisy – How Islam views nifaq
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White lies, big fat lies and hypocrisy – How Islam views nifaq

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘There are three signs of a hypocrite; when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust.’ [Bukhari and Muslim] In another narration as well, in…

How can you get your child to cooperate when they are fed up with your instructions?
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How can you get your child to cooperate when they are fed up with your instructions?

Kindness and patience is paramount. Children respond to the tone of your voice. Your tone makes or breaks your communication. A harsh tone pushes the red button. It triggers a barrage of resentment. When a child hears a nagging tone, it makes them rebel and resist what you are asking them to do. If your…

If you want to be saved, have a good opinion about others

If you want to be saved, have a good opinion about others

Today’s reminder is that having a good opinion about people brings tranquility. In Arabic we say: حسن الظن بالناس يجلب الطمأنينة Every now and then we have rumours and accusations in the community and the common practice among the vast majority of Muslims, let alone non-Muslims is to believe the rumours are a fact and…

Ghazali on why following the Sunnah is the key to happiness. Secrets: part 1
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Ghazali on why following the Sunnah is the key to happiness. Secrets: part 1

In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, the summary of his great work, Ihya Ulum ad-Din, he examines the concept of Following the Sunnah, in chapter 10. The key to happiness is following the Sunnah Itiba as-sunnah as-mifahu as-sa’ada We can write reams and reams on this topic…

What is wrong with laughing too much? The boundaries of comedy
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What is wrong with laughing too much? The boundaries of comedy

Excessive laughter The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Do not laugh too much, for verily excessive laughter kills the heart.” (Bukhari, Adab al-Mufrad; Sunan Tirmidhi; Sunan Ibn Maja; Musnad Ahmad) And in some narrations, there is an addition, “For verily excessive laughter kills the heart and removes the light of one’s face,” or in…

Do you have to practice what you preach? Al Ghazali on how to correct others when they are wrong
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Do you have to practice what you preach? Al Ghazali on how to correct others when they are wrong

In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, he examines the concept of commanding what is good and reprimanding others from doing what is wrong, amr bil marouf wa al nahil anil munkar. Condition 1: Gentleness vs the whip The one who commands good and forbids evil, is called…