My reflections on the social and spiritual dimensions of Ramadan and Eid Every year I have some reflections on Ramadan and these reflections keep changing. They constantly change because these reflections are connected to our mental status, our spiritual status, as well as what we see or read or hear at the time. All these…
Where’s the halal? ‘…They say trade is but like riba,’ while Allah has permitted trade, and prohibited riba. So, whoever receives an advice from his Lord and desists (from indulging in riba), then what has passed is allowed for him, and his matter is up to Allah… (2:275) No good is there in much of…
From Ramadan to Eid and back to Ramadan Celebration of the revelation of the Divine Message What Is Eid? As we know that the very first verse which was revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in the cave on the mountain of Hira. Jibreel came down and said ‘Iqra’. We tell this…
Marriage is not a life sentence. Breaking taboos Islam is not an alien religion which puts women under threat or expects them to tolerate abuse or harm. Any abuse is haram. I am not in any way promoting or encouraging divorce, or the break up of families and upheaval of children, but if a marriage…
Tyrants vs the Truth The power of the weak and the weakness of the powerful Have you not considered the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord [merely] because Allah had given him kingship? When Abraham said, ‘My Lord is the one who gives life and causes death,’ he said, ‘I give life and…
The scope of accountability To Allah belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth. If you disclose what is in your hearts or conceal it, Allah shall hold you accountable for it, then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills. Allah is powerful over everything. (2:284)…
Moon-fighting and Flying Goats The annual moon-fighting fiasco is a pain we endure every year first with uncertainty when it will be, guessing which day to take off from school and work and inevitably ending with families divided on the day of Eid, when half celebrate on one day and the other half, even within…
What’s the solution to atheism in the media? In surah Ghafir, Allah Almighty mentions the story of Pharaoh, Pharaoh said,: ‘Leave me to kill Moses, and let him appeal to his Lord. I fear he may change your religion, or spread disorder in the land.’ (40:26) If you read this with the name Pharaoh…
…even when it does not appeal to us When what is good for us is bitter Allah the Almighty created us, and He wrote our destiny before He created us in a book which will never change. Yet He gave us choices. Without doubt, after He sent the messengers and the prophets to clarify the…
Celebrate Eid with a Smile Alhamadulillah we have been able to fast in Ramadan and pray, and stand in night prayers. The good news that that Prophet (peace be on him) said: Whoever fasts in Ramadan out of imaan and expecting the reward from Allah, his former sins will be forgiven, and whoever stands up…
Reform your Character in Ramadan Reflections by Shaykh Haytham Tamim Day 1 – Mercy and Deceit Positive Action Reflect on the mercy in our lives. In the hadith the Prophet ﷺ said if we want more mercy, we have to practice more mercy. Allah bestows His mercy only on those of His servants who are merciful…
A special annual guest There is a guest we wait for every year. Some people long to receive him, some don’t care and some dislike him. He stays with us for a month. The bearer of gifts When he arrives he brings many gifts with him, large and small. Throughout the month he distributes an…
Ramadan: Reclaiming your inner and outer peace Talk by Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 28th May 2019 at Open Iftar, Westminster Abbey and Khutbah 31st May 2019 Life is busy – full of stress, fatigue, conflicts, tests and temptation… We are missing tranquility and peace. Ramadan comes and brings peace back to our lives. It puts…
Ramadan is the time to smell the perfume of jannah When it’s the first night of Ramadan, the devils will be chained and the giant jinns will be chained and the gates of hell will be closed and none of it will be open and the gates of paradise will be open and none of…
Freeing the space in your heart The gates of heaven are open every Monday and Thursday, and Allah forgives everyone who is not associating anyone with Him, except two people who have a conflict between them. It will be said, ‘Postpone the forgiveness for them until they reconcile, postpone forgiveness for them until they reconcile,…