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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Is it haram to shake hands? How much physical contact is allowed between the sexes in Islam?
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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Ghazali’s 20 rules for dealing with people. Rules 14-15 Hurry to help others and initiate the salam.
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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Ghazali’s 20 rules for dealing with people. Rules 12-13 Cover the faults of others
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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Ghazali’s 20 rules for dealing with people. Rules 9-11 Deal according to their status.
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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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?
Common misconceptions – How to greet non Muslims 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 asalam’....
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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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