24
Jun 2020
What is Istikharah? The istikharah du’a is a supplication asking Allah for guidance on what is the best decision. It is a beautiful du’a which the Prophet (peace be on him) taught us to seek goodness from Allah when you have a specific decision to make. In the past, people used chance and superstitions to aid their decisions, such as casting lots or divining arrows, equivalent in our time to tossing a coin or rolling a dice. Allah Almighty forbid such forms of decision making. O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants,......
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19
Jun 2020
Sacred knowledge brings us closer to Allah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said, ‘Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.’ (Muslim) ‘Verily, the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge out of pleasure of what he is doing. Verily all in the heavens and earth seek forgiveness for the knowledgeable, even the fish in the water. The excellence of the knowledgeable over the servant is like the excellence......
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19
Jun 2020
Can you change your character? People often wonder if it is possible to change your character. Allah Almighty talked about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) in many verses in the Quran, but one of the unique verses, were when he said: Indeed you have the best character. (68:4) We all long to follow his footsteps and copy his character Peace be upon him. As we know, Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: I have been sent to perfect good character. (Muwatta) In the following......
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17
Jun 2020
The Prophet (peace be on him) used to fast the 6 days of Shawwal. They do not have to be fasted consecutively but at any time during the month. When can you fast after Eid? You can fast from 2nd Shawwal, but it is better to delay the fasting the six days of Shawwal until after the three days of Eid are over, so they can be a time of joy and celebration. They are like the three days of Mina, during which the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade fasting. One......
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14
Jun 2020
A good starting point for the concept of intercession is an occasion when the Prophet (peace be on him) disappeared, and his companions were extremely worried what had become of him, and whether they had been replaced by some other set of companions. Ubada bin As-Samit narrated that One day the Companions did not find the Prophet (peace be on him) among them. (Normally) when they camped, they would lodge him in the middle (of them). They were anxious and thinking that Allah might have selected some other Companions for him. Suddenly, they......
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12
Jun 2020
The determination of the scholars and how they tread the path of knowledge was accompanied by continual sacrifice on their part. Sacrifice of their sleep, the luxuries and the pleasures of life. They were not choosing between halal or haram when they gave them up, but were made knowledge their priority over enjoyment, relaxation and rest. To the extent that some did not marry, even though it is the Sunnah and it is recommended, because it would have interfered with their single-minded pursuit of knowledge. Their dedication was well beyond anyone’s expectations. Ibn......
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12
Jun 2020
Your sins are screened Among the favours of Allah is being saved the humiliation and embarrassment of having your sins exposed. Allah Almighty told us: And if you tried to enumerate the favours of God, you will not be able to count them. God is Forgiving and Merciful. (16:18) Allah has showered us with blessings and among the outward are the good deeds and actions we do. Among inward favours are that He concealed our shortcoming and our sins. Do you not see how God placed at your service everything in the......
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06
Jun 2020
In the opening verses of Surat al Qasas, Allah Almighty says: We recite to you from the story of Moses and Pharaoh—in truth—for people who believe. Pharaoh exalted himself in the land,and divided its people into factions. He persecuted a group of them, slaughtering their sons, while sparing their daughters. He was one of the mischief makers. (28:2-4) Fir’aun is the symbol of arrogance Allah Almighty mentions Fir’aun in about 70 verses of the Quran, in 28 different surahs. He is the symbol of oppression and corruption, a despicable tyrant and the......
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05
Jun 2020
The importance of purity of reflection is a powerful combination with high himma, which is the quality of tenacious determination. Khatib al Baghdadi was one of the great scholars of hadith and such a prolific writer that he contributed a book to every branch of Islamic knowledge, so that everyone who came after him, could not help but refer to his work. Such was his vast legacy. Born in 392, in Baghdad, as suggested by his name, he died in 463 AH. Among the hundreds of books which he wrote, is the......
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03
Jun 2020
As the Black England footballers are subjected to disgusting racial abuse in the wake of England’s Euros 2020 defeat, we are reminded again of the continuing systemic racism in our countries, which led to the protests in the US and around the world, following the tragic death of George Floyd just a year ago. Fundamentally, the issue is about the lack of respect, honour and dignity which is being shown by one set of people towards another, when Allah told us that every single life deserves it. He Himself honoured mankind. Not......
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02
Jun 2020
What is tayammum Tayammum is making wudu with dust instead of water. The word tayammum comes from from yummama which linguistically means ‘to intend’ (qasada) e.g. I intend to go to Makkah. We do not cover all parts of the body with dust as we do with water. Certainly not our noses or mouths or our feet. O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through , until you have washed [your......
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31
May 2020
Travelling is part of seeking knowledge The importance of travelling to seek knowledge is highlighted in the book of Patience by Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah who has described some of the arduous journeys undertaken by great scholars of the past. The virtues of seeking knowledge There are many verses which talk about the importance of seeking knowledge. For instance: أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ Is he who worships devoutly during......
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31
May 2020
Month of mindfulness Ramadan is about becoming more mindful of your Lord, mindful of your duties towards Him and towards His creation as well. All the messages that were sent by God to humanity since Adam and Noah and Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammed (peace be upon them) were sent to make the human race improve their character and conduct. Ramadan brings a heightened awareness of God in our lives. How to have the presence of God in our life more. How to increase mindfulness in our life, as opposed to being......
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30
May 2020
How to deal with sinners Whether it is your family or friends or a public figure, every now and then, they make mistakes. Unfortunately as a community, we have many shortcomings, and one of these is that we don’t know how to handle people’s misdemeanours and mistakes, or ill judged statements, from an Islamic point of view. Recently an unfortunate incident went viral. Video clips were being forwarded without any thought about the gravity of doing this. Is this Islamic? Does our shariah approve this? I was very disappointed that many Muslims......
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29
May 2020
There is a split of opinion among scholars on the topic of poverty and wealth – whether it is better to be poor or well off. The high status of the poor Imam Bukahri wrote a chapter on the virtues of poverty in his Sahih, called Fadlu al faqr. So scholars commented that this showed he liked the virtues of poverty. Allah Almighty also mentioned the fuqara (destitute people) in the Quran many times. Among these were the ahlu Suffah, a group of companions, who were very poor. The Prophet (peace be......
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