Eid al Adha: a time for unity and brotherhood
And when you have performed your holy rites remember God, as you remember your fathers or yet more devoutly. Now some men there are who say, ‘Our Lord, give to us in this world’;...
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Dhul Hijjah and Hajj: An introduction
Allah Almighty mentioned in the Quran that Hajj is ‘a well-known month’, ashurhum malumaat: “Remember Allah (God) during the well-known days.” (2:197) There are three months which are considered holy, because they are months...
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How to deal with people. Shaking hands in Islam. Ghazali’s rule no. 15 continued
In general do not shake hands with the opposite sex The default position is that you should not shake hands with non Mahrams of the opposite sex. Overall, there is no agreed on 100%...
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How to deal with people: hurry to help others and initiate the salam. Ghazali’s rules 14-15
Rule 14: Hurry to fulfil the needs of others The Prophet (peace be on him) said: Intercede with me for one another and be rewarded; for indeed I want to do a thing but...
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What do we learn from defeat?
Last week, we talked about how to achieve success, this week we will look at the lessons we can learn when we are defeated. The lessons from defeat are possibly more important than the...
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Cover the faults of others. Ghazali’s Rules 12-13 for dealing with people.
In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion’, he collates 20 rules of how to deal with people. Rule 12: Cover other people’s mistakes and sins It is...
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How to deal with people according to their status. Ghazali rule 9-11
Rule 9. Do good to everyone, whether they are worthy of it or not O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good – that you may succeed...
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Dealing with gossip and arguments. How to deal with people: Ghazali’s rules 7-8
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...
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What do we learn from the Euros 2020? Lessons on success
What do we learn from the Euros 2020? Right now we witness football fever all around us. All the teams are chasing success, and pursuing the trophy. There is only one trophy…who will bring...
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Can you say ‘salam’ to non-Muslims? Understanding hadith.
Suhail and Abu Huraira (may Allah be please with them) narrated that the Prophet (peace be on him) said: حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، – يَعْنِي الدَّرَاوَرْدِيَّ – عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ،...
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Al Ghazali’s 6 rules for dealing with people
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amr reported: I met the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said to me: “O ‘Uqbah, reconcile with whoever cuts you off, give to whoever deprives you,...
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Allah loves those who are easy going and make life easy for others
You get what you give عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رضي الله تعالى عنها قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ وَلِيَ مِنْ أَمْرِ أُمَّتِي شَيْئًا فَشَقَّ عَلَيْهِمْ فَاشْقُقْ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ وَلِيَ مِنْ أَمْرِ...
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The dog, the horse and the king. Lessons from Al Ghazali on how to behave.
Religion is a journey to Allah Ghazali defines religion (deen) as travelling to Allah. Hence Arabs have a saying as safaru yusfiru an akhlaq ar rijaal – travel (safar) reveals and exposes people’s character....
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Work smarter, not harder. How to get easy pickings
Cold booty- Al-ghanimatul baridah وَعَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: « الْغَنِيمَةُ الْبَارِدَةُ: الصَّوْمُ فِي الشِّتَاءِ » . رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ. حديث مرسل. ‘Amir b. Mas’ud reported God’s...
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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...
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