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...
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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? Unpicking the confusion that the salam is exclusively for Muslims.
Common misconceptions – due to the misapplication of hadith There is common opinion that you should not greet non-Muslims with the salam. Or that you should only reply to them with ‘walaikum‘ not ‘walaikum...
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Al Ghazali’s 20 rules for dealing with people 1-6
‘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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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...
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Defend your narrative
In Surat al Baqarah, Allah Almighty said: And when they meet those who believe, they say: “We believe,” but when they are alone with their Shayatin (devils – polytheists, hypocrites, etc.), they say: “Truly,...
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Palestine – the Islamic perspective
What are the virtues for us of Bait al Maqdis (Jerusalem) Surat al Isra in the Quran is named after the journey which the Prophet (peace be on him) took from Makkah to Jerusalem...
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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 ،...
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Flee from Allah to Allah
In a particularly beautiful ayah in the Quran, which appears in Surat al Dhariyat, Allah Almighty says: ﴿٥٠﴾ فَفِرُّوا إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّي لَكُمْ مِنْهُ نَذِيرٌ مُبِينٌ. سورة الذاريات. So flee towards Allah. I...
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Why is a believer like a palm tree?
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” إِنَّ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ شَجَرَةً لاَ يَسْقُطُ وَرَقُهَا، وَإِنَّهَا مَثَلُ الْمُسْلِمِ، فَحَدِّثُونِي مَا هِيَ ”. فَوَقَعَ النَّاسُ فِي شَجَرِ الْبَوَادِي. قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ...
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Characteristics of a pure heart
The changeable nature of hearts Shahr bin Hawshab said: I said to Umm Salamah: O Mother of the Believers! What was the supplication that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said most...
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