How to be a confident Muslim in a changing society
Maintaining Identity in an Ever Shifting Moral Environment Natural parental concern The common concern all parents have is the future of their children. I myself share this concern and indeed Ibrahim (peace be on...
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ALONE in a crowd.’ Reflections on Umrah
Being Alone with Allah During my recent umrah, a couple of verses kept playing in my mind, and one of these verses was: And each one will come to Allah on the Day of...
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Islamophobia – its causes and solutions
Tackling Islamophobia with zeal and compassion The Prophet’s (peace be on him) Response Islamophobia is not a new phenomenon but existed at the time of the Prophet (peace be on him). 1400 years ago,...
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Why should I bother? The three benefits of obedience
Reflections on the Benefits of Obedience During my recent Umrah a couple of verses kept playing in my mind all the time, in particular part of an ayah from Surah Nisa: ‘…if they had done...
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What does International Women’s Day have to do with Islam
Women’s Right to Fair Treatment Women’s Day is a reminder that we still have not secured freedom from oppression for women. Isn’t it time that we deliver women the rights that Islam gave them...
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Locking the Six Doors of Your Heart
The Six Doors of the Heart Imam Al Muhasibi wrote in his Risala al Mustarshidin (Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance) that the wise men (i.e. himself) said: The heart is like a house...
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Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Not Shooting the Messenger The Prophet (peace be on him) said: ‘I do not break my covenant and I do not imprison the ambassadors or the messengers.’ (Sunan abi Dawood) Abdullah bin Masud said:...
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The Truth has Light. But not Fake Shaykhs
‘They want to extinguish the light of Allah Almighty but Allah Almighty will complete His light, even though the disbelievers dislike it’. (9:32 and 61:8) Allah Almighty is highlighting the fact that whenever...
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When Dhulm Comes Back to Bite – The Importance of having Limits
Cornering the Cat – Why Allah Forbid Oppression Oh my servants, I have made oppression forbidden on myself and made it forbidden amongst you so do not oppress one another. (Bukhari) This is one...
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Controlling the Tongue – the Mirror of your Heart
Choosing Your Words Wisely Tell my servants to say what is best. (17:53) And say to the people what is good.(2:83) The Prophet (peace be on him) said: Whoever believes in Allah and the...
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Why Scholars Differ (part 4) – What are Ijtihad and Taqleed?
Ijtihad (reasoning) and Taqleed (imitation) Do I need to follow a madhab? Who is qualified to make Ijihad? What essential knowledge does a mujtahid need? Definition While Ijtihad is the process of systematic legal reasoning...
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Why Scholars Differ (part 3) – Why are there differences between the Schools of Thought
The Differences among the Fuqaha In particular we are focusing on the scientific differences among the fuqaha (jurists) and why we have more than one opinion. The main difference is linguistic difference. The second...
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Why Scholars Differ (part 2)- What are the Origins of the Fiqhi Schools of Thought
The Origins of the Fiqh Schools Fiqh at the Time of the Prophet (peace be on him) During the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be on him) how was fiqh decided? If someone needed a ruling...
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Why Scholars Differ – What is the definition of Shariah and Fiqh (part 1)
Why Scholars Differ This was the first course I delivered in the UK in 2001, but it is as relevant today as it was then, if not more. I used to deliver this course...
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The Comprehensive Du’a – When You Want Everything!
The Comprehensive Du’a قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “أُوتِيتُ جَوَامِعَ الْكَلِمِ”.رواه مسلم. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: I have been given words which are concise but comprehensive in...
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