Goodness extends to all mankind Allah Almighty commanded us to be good to each other throughout the Quran and specifically in Surah Nisa, when he said: Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away, the companion at your…
O you who have believed, when you stand up to pray, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one…
As Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) observed, ‘If religion was based on opinion the bottom of the khuff (leather socks) would take preference for being wiped to the top of the khuff, but I saw Allah’s messenger (peace be on him) wipe the top of his khuff.’ (Abu Dawud) This is a very important…
Al Mughirah bin Shu’bah reported: I was with the Prophet (peace be on him) during an expedition. He started to perform ablution and I was about to remove his leather socks (the khuff) when he said: Leave them, for I put them on while I was in a state of purity (tahara) and he wiped…
Being good to your parents Being kind to your parents wa bil walidayni ihsana has been repeated many times in the Quran. Allah Almighty mentioned five verses about parents, including these in which being good to parents is the very next command after worshiping Allah Himself- the two commands are said within the same breath:…
The halal and haram are clear (bayyin) The Prophet (peace be on him) made it very clear what is halal and haram. Clarity was his trademark. Hence Allah Almighty said: ‘We never sent a messenger but in the language of his own people to clarify the truth for them.’ (14:4) Clarity is key. As the…
Imaan is a full package. Either you accept the package or you fall out of the fold of imaan. This is why in Surah Baqarah we are told not to distinguish between any of the Messengers of Allah: The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the…
Honour and dignity Allah Almighty mentioned in the Quran, We have dignified or honoured the children of Adam. (17:70) This is the only ayah in the Quran which has the word ‘karramna’ (honoured). Allah Almighty has therefore given dignity and honour to the children of Adam, all of them. This honour is a given from…
The concept of freedom In our old literature, we don’t find the word freedom as a stand-alone topic. It’s a new expression. The word hurriyya (freedom or liberty) is not a word you even find in the Quran. There’s no ayah that talks about ‘hurriyya’. However you will find the concept. Is it one of…
The General Principles series This is the third in the series on General Principles of Islam- which every Muslim should know. This series started when one of my students in my Arabic class said, ‘You have mentioned the main principles of Islam many times, but what are they? Where can I read about them?’ I…
The Prophet (peace be on him) said: مَنْ كَانَتْ عِنْدَهُ مَظْلِمَةٌ لِأَخِيهِ فَلْيَتَحَلَّلْهُ مِنْهَا ؛ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ ثَمَّ دِينَارٌ وَلَا دِرْهَمٌ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يُؤْخَذَ لِأَخِيهِ مِنْ حَسَنَاتِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ حَسَنَاتٌ أُخِذَ مِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَخِيهِ فَطُرِحَتْ عَلَيْهِ “. البخاري. “Whoever has wronged his brother, should ask for his pardon (before his death), as…
How to avoid backbiting What you choose to say is either for you or against you. It can be honey or poison. Bitter or sweet. Words can deliver good news and the truth. But they can also deliver bad news and lies. Umm Habibah, (may Allah be pleased with her) the wife of the Prophet…
The Art of Silence The Prophet (peace be on him) said: Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day let him say something good or let him be silent. (Bukhari) What we say is an important topic. it can’t be underestimated. And we see this from the character of the Prophet (peace be on him),…
Qana’a in Arabic is contentment. Being content is important Abu Hurayra narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘Be satisfied with what Allah has allotted for you and you shall be the richest of people’. (Tirmidhi) If you are not content with what you have, it breeds jealousy and envy…
Allah Almighty says in Surah Duha: ‘Of the favours of your Lord, proclaim them.’ (93:11) This means to show what Allah has given to you, not hide it away. This does not mean Allah Almighty wants us to show off but to show our appreciation and gratitude for what He bestowed on us. Allah Almighty…