Managing the Fear Factor Fear is everywhere. Fear is also a striking feature of two battles in Islamic history – the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of Al Khandaq (the ditch). In the Battle of the Ditch (Battle of Al Ahzab), 10,000 enemy troops surrounded Madinah and were about to attack the believers. Allah…
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Take advantage of five before five: 1-your youth before your old age, 2-your health before your illness, 3-your wealth before your poverty, 4-your free time before your work, 5-and your life before your death….
Once Sha’ban is here, the countdown to Ramadan has truly started. The Prophet (peace be on him) used to fast regularly throughout the year, but it was in the month preceding it, Sha’ban, when he cranked up his efforts and would fast almost the entire month. In a famous hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon…
How to simplify your life and prioritise it – Part III عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ مَا شَبِعَ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُنْذُ قَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ مِنْ طَعَامِ بُرٍّ ثَلاَثَ لَيَالٍ تِبَاعًا حَتَّى قُبِضَ . ‘A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: Never had the family of Muhammad (ﷺ) eaten to the fill since…
How to simplify your life and prioritise it – Part II Don’t make your concern dunya There are many hadith warning us about dunya. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: The world is sweet and green. Verily, Allah will make you…
How to simplify your life and prioritise – Part 1 Nothing happens but by the will of Allah. And everything good comes from Allah Almighty. Today our situation reminds me of the financial crisis of 2008 when the Queen asked the government, ‘How is it you did not see this coming?’ No one knew this…
In his book, Adab an Nufus, Imam al Muhasibi (d.243H) writes on different topics related to the control of the nafs, the lower self, and its cravings, urges and desires. How to improve it and purify it. Imam Al-Muhasibi, a master in this field, wrote from his experience. In this chapter he focused on…
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday will have a light between this Friday and the next. (Al-Bayhaqi and Al-Hakim) An ayah which we recite every Friday from Surah Kahf describes the world around us: And present to them the…
We are still in isolation, still trying our best to keep safe. Whatever happens, we know that it is what Allah Almighty destined for us. All we can do is be careful: not be panicked or over the top, not act with fear. We just do whatever we can, and the rest is in Allah…
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) passed while some of his companions were laughing and talking. He said to them: By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! If you know what I know you should laugh very little and weep a lot. Then he…
Dhikr for every morning and evening 1. Ayat ul Kursi Allah! There is no god but He – the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor Sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as he permits? He knows what…
O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek wasila the [means of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed. (5:35) يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُوا فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ yaa ayyuha-lladheena aamanu-ttaqu-llaaha wabtaghoo ilayhil waseelata wa jaahidoo fee sabeelihee la’allakum tuflihoon Tawassul Seeking…
I’d like to share two thoughts with you. The first one is about Sha’ban, which started a couple of days ago and the second is self-isolation. Sha’ban As Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated the Prophet (peace be on him) used to fast in Sha’ban more than any other month. Aishah (may Allah…
Sadly there is widespread confusion over whether to perform ghusl over those who have passed away due to the coronavirus. Need for clarity As well as the distress and bereavement of losing loved members of the family and community, there is anxiety among families on the issue, and a need for clarity and assurance that the…
Signs الإعراض والاستغفار What we are going through is very severe. But also very special. We have read in history about plagues and famines and calamities but we never lived through one of these. Subhanallah Allah in his destiny has written that we would live this moment. This calamity. Let’s reflect on why Allah sent these…