seclusion
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How long is the minimum for i’tikaf? Can women do i’tikaf at home?

One of the special features of Ramadan is ei’tikaf, which is going into seclusion to worship Allah Almighty. It is the sunnah to go into seclusion in the last ten days of Ramadan, as the Prophet (peace be on him) used to do and his wives continued do ei’tikaf in the mosque and continued this…

How to turn an ordinary fast, into a super-fast
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How to turn an ordinary fast, into a super-fast

The aim of fasting is to achieve righteousness Allah Almighty said in Surat al Baqarah: يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous – [2:183] Alhamdulillah,…

What is the connection between closeness to Allah, excellence and fasting?
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What is the connection between closeness to Allah, excellence and fasting?

They ask you… My reflection today is on a very beautiful ayah among the 5 verses on fasting in the Quran which are found in Surat al-Baqarah (183-187). Allah Almighty says: وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ If my servants ask you…

New formulae that challenge the mind – charity, forgiveness and humility
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New formulae that challenge the mind – charity, forgiveness and humility

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:  ‘Sadaqa does not reduce (one’s) wealth; and Allah increases the honour of his who pardons (others); and no one will humble himself for Allah’s sake without Allah raising him up.’ [Imam Muslim] The concise speech of Prophet (peace…

Don’t miss out on the blessings of Jumuah
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Don’t miss out on the blessings of Jumuah

The day of Jumuah is a great day that Allah has given exclusively to this Ummah. Missing Jumuah Salah is a sin In Surat Jumuah, it says: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ‏O you who believe! When…

The first thing you will be asked about is your salah
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The first thing you will be asked about is your salah

We are living in uncertain times. We have witnessed huge losses of life worldwide, through the pandemic and world disasters, and personally we have all experienced the death of close family and friends. None of us knows how long we have therefore we need to be prepared for the eventuality we will all inevitably face…

Fasting outside Ramadan. Can you fast on a Friday alone?
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Fasting outside Ramadan. Can you fast on a Friday alone?

Recommended fasts In general, as per the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be on him) it is recommended to fast on Mondays and Thursdays and the three white days i.e. the days of the full moon (13,14,15th of the lunar month). Fasting on Mondays It is also recommended to fast on Mondays: He was then…

why did Allah command 50 prayers before shortening it to 5?
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Why did Allah originally command 50 prayers before reducing it to 5 prayers?

Anas ibn Malik reported: Fifty prayers were obligated upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he was taken on his night journey. Then, it was reduced until it was set at five and an announcement was made, “O Muhammad, My word is never changed, so these five prayers will be counted as…

Do you have to make up missed salah (qada salah)?
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Do you have to make up missed salah (qada salah)?

The obligation of salah Praying at the specified time is obligatory for all sane Muslims over the age of puberty. Verily, As Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. (Surah Nisa’ 4:103) Allah allocated specific times for acts of worship for reasons that are known to Him. We know some of…