Assessing your attachment to dunya
Are you in control or under control? In his chapter on greed (at tama’: الطمع), long before Imam Al Ghazali wrote about spirituality, the third century scholar Imam Muhasibi (died in 857AD/243H) has his...
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(3:190) The neglected form of worship
Realising the mundane is extraordinary In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, are signs for people of understanding. (3:190) Those who remember God...
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Giving to charity? Family comes first
Allah Almighty Almighty mentioned in numerous verses in the Quran that we are tested. In one of these verses He said: We have created death and life to test which of you is...
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Hajj Reflections 10 – Lessons on Trust from the Battle of the Ditch
How trust and love can lead to great things During the preparation for the Battle of the Ditch (when Madinah was surrounded) one big rock could not be moved when digging the ditch....
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Hajj reflections 9 – Hudaibiyah Goodness can come from the unexpected
How the event of Hudaibiyah changed history The Prophet (peace be on him) had names for things such as his swords, shields and camel. The Prophet (peace be on him) rode a camel called...
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Block the 3 windows of Shaytan
Getting a grip on Anger, Fear and Sadness Is shaytan more powerful than us or not? Shaytan has the ability to disappear, but you don’t. He can take different shapes but you can’t. He...
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Hajj reflections 6 – Day of Arafah
The Day of Gathering Stopping (wuquf) at Arafah is a crucial part of Hajj. Hajj is not accepted if this part was missed. It is one of the 3 pillars or fards of Hajj....
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Hajj Reflections 4 – transformation and tests
Transformation Hajj is not a tick box exercise. Allah Almighty uses Hajj as training for us to change our bad habits. It’s not about ticking off tawaf and sa’ee and standing in Arafat. These are...
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Hajj Reflections 2 – on Ihram, Tawaf and Saee
Spiritual dimension of Ihram (over the dimension of desires) Hajj is a special journey to al-akhirah (the life Hereafter) just as salah is a journey to heavens. When performing Hajj it is as though you are going to al-akhirah and you never...
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Liars and oppressive leaders
Don’t side with liars In an authentic hadith, Khabbab bin Al-Aratt reported: I was sitting next to the door of the Prophet (peace be on him) and when he came out he said ‘Listen...
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Choosing a partner to the afterlife. Finding Mr or Miss Right
Understanding the deeper purpose of marriage and entering into it with the right partner Allah Almighty mentioned in Surah Nisa: But if you want to replace one wife with another and you have...
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How to be patient. 8 ways to improve your sabr
Sabr – An Active State Many people think that sabr is a passive state. Of waiting patiently. Sabr is more than this. Sabr is an active state. Sabr is a quality that grows with practice. ‘O...
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Relying on Allah
Trusting Allah Reliance on Allah is the core of imaan Allah Almighty loves those who rely on Him. He loves them because it is the core of our imaan. Our aim is to be connected...
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Fixing broken families – where are you on the tranquility-o-metre?
Love is the fortress for our children And among His signs that He created for you, from among yourselves mates, to dwell with them in tranquillity and He put love and mercy among...
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Adam’s Rib – Resolving conflicts with kindness
Turn differences to strengths The Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) said: ‘Treat women kindly. Woman has been created from a rib and the most bent part of the rib is the uppermost. If...
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