Cornering the Cat – Why Allah Forbid Oppression Oh my servants, I have made oppression forbidden on myself and made it forbidden amongst you so do not oppress one another. (Bukhari) This is one of the fundamental rules and pillars in Islam – the prohibition of oppression (dhulm). There are different types of dhulm. The…
The Limitations of Scholars When Rebellion is Permitted The Arab spring raised many questions about the legitimacy of tackling unjust dictatorships and oppressive regimes. Is it permissible for the public to rebel when their rulers are failing them? There have been scholars throughout history who have legitimised and rubber stamped the wrong doings of rulers,…
The Recipe for Success and Unity ‘O you who believe when you meet your enemy forces, take the firm stand against them and remember Allah Almighty much so that you may be successful and do not dispute with one another, lest you will achieve failure and your power will depart from you and be patient,…
Opposing Oppression ‘Oh My servants I have prohibited oppression for myself and made it prohibited amongst you, so do not oppress one another’ (Bukhari) There are countless verses in the Qur’an on oppression and around 97 verses alone on oppressors. Human Weakness By contrast, there is a word which is mentioned three times in just…
Telling the Truth O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are true (in word and deed). (9:119) Say, ‘Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path – a religion of values – the way of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And he was not among those who associated others with…
The Challenges that Face the Truth This knowledge will be carried by the trustworthy from each generation. They will expel from it the corruption of those who go beyond boundaries. The lies of the falsifiers and the interpretation of the ignorant. (Bayhaqi) In this sound hadith, the Prophet (peace be on him) is both…
Standing Together Against Oppression On the authority of Abu Najeeh al-Irbaad ibn Saariyah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger (peace be on him) delivered an admonition that made our hearts fearful and our eyes tearful. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, it is as if it were a farewell admonition, so…
Essentials of Tawbah How can I know that my repentance has been accepted? What do I need to do to move on after I have made a mistake? What are the features of those closest to Allah Almighty? Al Muhasibi, the founder of the Baghdad School of Islamic philosophy, had a habit of venturing into…
What Causes the Fall of Nations? What are the four main causes for any nation to collapse? What do we need to do to protect ourselves and our children from the factors that lead to decline? If a wound should touch you – there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to…
Beware the Green-Eyed Monster Do not covet something in which Allah has made some of you superior to others. For men there is a share of what they earned, and for women there is a share of what they earned. Pray to Allah for his grace. Surely Allah is all aware of everything. (4:32) Hasad-…
Hijra: How Migrants Escaping Oppression Can Be a Source of Goodness As every New Hijri Year begins, we reflect on the Prophet’s (peace be on him) migration from Makkah to Madinah. What the reason for it? Persecution. Injustice. Disregard for human rights. Freedom of Expression The Prophet (peace be on him) was asking for…
Spreading LOVE when there is HATE. What can we do when we feel helpless watching disasters unfold all over the world? What should our response be? Can we afford to sit back and watch or is there anything we can do? ‘O you who believe, be patient and compete in patience, and protect your frontiers,…
What Suffering Reveals about Us and the Ummah How Tribulations Reveal Quality In surah Ahzab Allah Almighty said: O you who have believed, remember the favour of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack] you and We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see. And ever is…
Navigating the Deceitful Years The Prophet (peace be on him) said, ‘Before the Hour comes, there will be years of deceit, in which a truthful person will be disbelieved and a liar will be believed; and the insignificant will have a say’. (Ahmad)* The signs of the Day of Judgement are mentioned in countless verses…
Delivered 2013.
Discussion of why God tests us, and how we should approach these tests