29
Jul 2018
Fake News The REAL danger of compromising your akhirah by indiscriminately hitting the forward button… Allah the Almighty says in the Qur’an, ‘Oh People of the Book! Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?’ (3:71) And in another verse, Allah says, ‘And there are a group of people from the People of the Book who are twisting their tongues with the Book to deceive people, that this is from the Book and it is not from the Book. And they say it is from Allah and indeed it is......
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27
Jul 2018
How Do You Know When You Have Enough Knowledge to Teach? The Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: ‘Allah illuminates (or make radiant the face of) a man (or a woman) who hears a hadith from me, preserves it carefully, and passes it on onto others.’ What You Need before You Spread Knowledge The essence of our religion is spreading peace and love around the world. In order for one to spread peace, one must be in a state of peace. This is accomplished by submitting to the will of Allah,......
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27
Jul 2018
The Essence of the Day of Arafah Increasing Khushu and attaining tranquility To achieve full focus (khushu) and sincerity (ikhlas) and block out thoughts of our daily affairs during salah is a generally struggle,. This is precisely why we start our prayer with takbirat-ul-ihram, to focus our minds on what we are saying, doing and reciting in our prayer, to grasp the meanings of the verses that we are reciting. Khushu in worship is required. Allah Almighty tells us: ‘And stand up in your prayer with submissiveness.’ (2:238) In the beginning of Surah al Muminun, Allah Almighty praises those that are......
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26
Jul 2018
What We Can Learn from Allah’s Conversation with His Angels Should you speak up if you disagree with your boss? Do you have to listen to those who are under you? And how important is it to be able to have an open discussion? (Remember) when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I am going to create a deputy on the earth!’ They said, ‘Will You create the one who will spread disorder on the earth and cause bloodshed, while we proclaim Your purity, along with your praise, and sanctify Your name?’......
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24
Jul 2018
Investing in our Children this Summer ‘Truly they were young men who believed in their Lord and we increased them in guidance And We made their hearts firm and strong with the light of faith in Allah) and bestowed upon them patience…’ (18:13-14) We are all longing for change… to make our life better, our house bigger, our car better, our job better, our kids etc. Whether we are talking about social, economic or political change, Allah the Almighty made it very clear that we will never change anyone’s situation until they change......
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24
Jul 2018
Yawm At Tarwiyah On the 8th of Dhul Hijja when Hajjis go to Mina, it is known as the Yawm At Tarwiyah. This name originates from: 1. The process of filling bottles with water to take to Mina. Therefore, when someone is thirsty and then drinks until they are full they are Irtawa i.e. full. 2. The day Ibrahim (peace be on him) saw a vision (Surah As Saffat) from Allah Almighty in which he was asked to sacrifice his son Ismail (peace be on him). Then, when he was old enough to......
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23
Jul 2018
Optimism vs Pessimism It has been narrated that the Prophet (peace be on him) used to love optimism and hated pessimism. He himself was always optimistic and encouraging. The Prophet’s (peace be on him) Optimism We can see the positivity of the Prophet (peace be on him) reflected clearly in his sunnah on so many occasions. He filled people with hope and optimism, rather than dragging down their spirits with pessimism. He would give children optimistic names and would change pessimistic names. Even in his appearance, he directed believers to smile, and......
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21
Jul 2018
Makkah Al Mukarramah: The time and the place Allah Almighty described the Ka’ba: ‘The first house established for mankind is the one at Bakka; blessed, and guidance for all people. (3:96) The majesty of Makkah and sweetness of Madinah Bakka is the old name for Makkah. The root word for Bakkah means to break something. Makkah was called Bakkah because it broke the necks of oppressors and transgressors. For instance, Abraha wanted to destroy the Ka’ba (Surah Al Fil) and instead Allah Almighty broke him. Madinah, by contrast, is sweet and relaxing. Makkah......
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19
Jul 2018
The Importance of Being Open Minded Islam is far greater than any school, any imam, any sect and any opinion. It is the Divine Revelation to perfect human character and conduct to spread peace and justice. ‘It is not advisable for the believers to march out altogether. Of every division that marches out, let a group remain behind, to gain understanding of the religion, and to notify their people when they have returned to them, that they maybe aware.’ (9:122) Allah the Almighty says in surah Taubah, it is not necessary for all Muslims to go......
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18
Jul 2018
Makkah Al Mukarramah: Spirit and Fruits of Hajj Why is Hajj a pillar? Hajj is full of blessings. When you dig deep down it is full of fruits and sweetness despite the challenges which you face; it is a gift from Him Almighty. Hajj is about unity and also a way of elevating you: 1. Unity In Hajj, you experience different colours, languages, hopes and wishes. 2. Elevation When you enter the state of ihram it connects you to the Hereafter and disconnects you from the dunya. This is the place to......
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11
Jul 2018
Developing good communication between husband and wife Communication problems Many women complain about the lack of communication in their marriage. They have limited or zero communication with their spouse and feel isolated in their four walls. Their husband’s inability to communicate could be a common feature in his family, which he inherited from his parents. It is quite likely, the children of this couple will also inherit this pattern of behaviour. Sadly having no communication in marriage is a common problem. Your spouse is your partner and your support to Jannah, so......
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10
Jul 2018
‘The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer. And in both there is goodness’ (Muslim) What does ‘strong’ believer mean? Is it muscles and brawn? Is it intellect? Or is it Imaan? If it is Imaan does that exclude physical strength? The strong believer is not the one with greater physical strength, otherwise the athlete would be closer to Allah Almighty than others. However this does not diminish the importance of physical fitness and strength. A strong Muslim should ideally be strong not just in Imaan but......
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07
Jul 2018
What Makes One Deed Acceptable to Allah but Not Another? ‘And say: Work; so Allah will see your work and (so will) His Messenger and the believers; and you shall be brought back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, then He will inform you of what you did.’ (9:105) Allah Almighty always pushes us towards good deeds through the Qur’an. However it is not only work, but the quality of the work, or the action which is important. If the quality of the action is good the fruits......
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06
Jul 2018
Truth vs Untruth It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) happened to pass by a heap of eatables (corn). He thrust his hand in that (heap) and his fingers were moistened. He said to the owner of that heap of eatables (corn): What is this? He replied: Messenger of Allah, these have been drenched by rainfall. He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: Why did you not place this (the drenched part of the heap) over other eatables so that the......
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03
Jul 2018
Inheriting a Lasting Legacy Allah Almighty chooses individuals amongst humanity to lead people to Him. These Messengers are receiving divine revelation from Allah Almighty. It is neither their wealth or possession but rather their knowledge and their responsibility that separates them from the rest of humanity. The Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: ‘The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets (peace be on them). The prophets (peace be on them) do not leave behind gold coins nor silver coins. They only leave behind knowledge, so whoever takes hold......
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