How to deal with troublemakers and complainers
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How to deal with troublemakers and complainers

In the first couple of pages of Surat Al Anbiya, we see the complaint in the community against the prophets and messengers Allah sent them. They keep demanding that their prophets produce miracles on demand and at their command. This pattern of behaviour was not exceptional; we see it repeated with Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Eesa…

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…

Racism and Islamphobia – the tip of an ugly iceberg
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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…

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…

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…

HOW TO DECONSTRUCT A HADITH WHEN IT SEEMS TO CONTRADICT THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM
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Deconstructing the hadith on greeting non-Muslims with the salam. Insight into the sciences of hadith.

There is common misconception that one may not greet non-Muslims with the salam. Or that you should only reply to them with ‘walaikum‘ not ‘walaikum asalam‘. This opinion is based on the hadith narrated by Suhayl bin Abi Salih, from his father, Abu Salih, from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be please with them) narrated that the…

Be good to your relatives
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Be good to your relatives

In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, he explores how to deal with different people. In this section we will look at how to treat relatives. Blood ties are special ‘Abdu’r-Rahman ibn ‘Awf heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ،…

Ghazali’s 20 rules for dealing with people Rules 7-8 Dealing with gossip and arguments.
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Ghazali’s 20 rules for dealing with people Rules 7-8 Dealing with gossip and arguments.

Rule 7: Do not pass on gossip Ghazali says do not listen to rumours about others and do not pass them on. We need this very sound nugget of advice because we are flooded by rumours, fabrications, lies and fake news. The Quran and Sunnah gave us the formula for dealing with them. What should…

How to be a gracious guest  (and avoid being hit on the head with a hot pan)
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How to be a gracious guest (and avoid being hit on the head with a hot pan)

What to avoid as a guest In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The 40 Principles of the Religion, he has a chapter on kesab, (earning) and on doubtful earnings. In this he explores the mentality of those who refuse to eat anything as they are suspicious of its origins and whether it is…

Drugs, gangs and social media. Be vigilant of child exploitation
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Drugs, gangs and social media. Be vigilant of child exploitation

  Allah Almighty entrusted us with His amanah (trusts). In Surat al Ahzab, He described the amanah, which He offered to the heavens, earth and mountains to carry, but the only being which agreed to carry it was mankind.  ﴿٧٢﴾ إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَنْ يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنْسَانُ ۖ…

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Supporting and comforting others is the prophetic way

The dua and formula for when you are troubled The Dua for 7 The Prophet (peace be on him) used to make this dua: اللّهُـمَّ اغْفِـرْ لي ، وَارْحَمْـني ، وَاهْدِنـي ، وَاجْبُرْنـي ، وَعافِنـي، وَارْزُقْنـي، وَارْفَعْـني. رواه أبو داود والترمذي. صحيح Allahumma’ghfir li, war’ḥamni, wahdini, wajburni, wa `afini, warzuqni, warfa`ni. O Allah forgive me,…

Parents and in-laws - how much do we need to obey them?
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Parents and in-laws – how much do we need to obey them?

Abdullah bin Ammar[i] (may Allah be please with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be on him) said: ‘Allah’s pleasure is in what is pleasing to parents, and Allah’s displeasure is in what is displeasing to parents’ (Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim) Parents are a shortcut to jannah Obedience to parents is a shortcut to…

Zihar and story of Khawla bint Thalaba
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Zihar and story of Khawla bint Thalaba

Islam came to reform society, to bring justice and rid the community of myths, delusions and harmful practices. It confronted these head on. In Surat al Ahzab Allah Almighty specifically mentioned three claims which people made commonly but were untrue. Allah has not made for any man two hearts in his chest cavity, nor did…