Lailatul Qadr – a night better than a lifetime.
Every year we are keen to catch the blessings of Lailatul Qadr. Allah Almighty dedicated a whole surah to it, to emphasise its importance and grant it further honour. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ In...
Read More
Reflections on Surat Luqman
The limitless words of Allah Surat Luqman has a unique and beautiful verse in it: If all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean ˹were ink˺, refilled by seven other oceans, the...
Read More
Should I spread my donations to coincide with Lailatul Qadr and the last ten days?
There is a huge charity industry that has grown up in the last few years encouraging people to donate online and with tele-fundraisers during the last ten nights. It was not the common practice...
Read More
The formula for success. Reflections on Surat Ar Rum
So give your relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveller. That is best for those who desire the face of Allah, and it is they who will be...
Read More
Striving unblocks your path. Lessons from Surat al Ankabut
Strive In the last ayah of Surat Ankabout Allah Almighty mentions jihad: As for those who strive (Jahadu) in Our cause, We shall surely guide them to Our Ways. (29:69) As this is a...
Read More
The truth threatens wrongdoers, but brings peace to its followers. Lessons from Surat al Ankabut
The story of Musa and Ibrahim (peace be on them) and their continual debates with their people recurs throughout the Quran. Though the Quran is not a book of stories, the stories (qasas)...
Read More
Corruption, arrogance and temptation – the story of Qarun in Surat al Qasas
Towards the end of Surat al Qasas, Allah Almighty mentions the story of Qarun. He says: Indeed Qarun was from the people of Musa – he then oppressed them; and We gave him so...
Read More
The blessings of Qiyamullayl
As we approach the last ten nights of Ramadan, I would like to share with you the blessings of qiyam al layl, (night prayers) in general. Tarawih during Ramadan is qiyam Ramadan. Qiyam and...
Read More
The truth meets resistance when it clashes with desire. Reflections from Surat al Qasas
When Allah sent the truth to the people of Makkah and the cities surrounding it, the Prophet (peace be on him) was delivering the message to everyone. There had been no prophet or messenger...
Read More
Lessons in trusting Allah – Surat al Qasas
It is the beauty of the words of Allah Almighty that we continue to find meanings, lessons and inspiration in His words and verses. They are always alive and talking to you. We need...
Read More
God vs gods – the debate in Surat Naml
In the debate between the Prophet (peace be on him) and the disbelievers, Allah Almighty provides him with the right questions and answers to pose, and these are really special. They challenge the status...
Read More
Wisdoms from the story of Suleman (peace be on him) and the Queen of Sheba from Surat Al Naml
The kingdom of Suleman (peace be on him) We came across the story of Suleman (peace be on him) who was given special miracles. Suleman had the most magnificent kingdom of any prophet. Some...
Read More
The message of anti-corruption is always met with resistance – Reflections on Surat al-Shu’araa’
Shuayb (peace be on him) was one of the five Arab prophets, (the others being Hud, Salih, Ismail and Muhammad, peace be on them). He lived in Madyan (Midian, which is a large area...
Read More
Challenging unfair traditions – reflections on Surat al Al-Shu’araa’
There are numerous lessons for us in the exchanges between people in the Quran, like Musa (peace be on him) and Firaun and between Ibrahim and his father and his people. Lessons in the...
Read More
How the arrogant refuse to admit defeat
The debate between Musa (peace be on him) and Firaun features in different places in the Quran and is very interesting when it is collected together. It also appears in Surat Ash Shu’ara, which...
Read More