19
Nov 2018
Mawlid – Loving the Prophet (peace be on him) The birthday of the Prophet (peace be on him) manages to excite passionate opinions every year. It is something of a contentious topic. However there is no need for locking horns over this issue, as it can be viewed very simply. What did the Prophet (peace be on him) do? The dear Prophet (peace be on him) celebrated his birthday by fasting on Mondays, the day of his birth. Abu Qataadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger......
Read More
19
Nov 2018
Spending Wisely – Avoid the Mania Black Friday – Shopping Mania I have no problem with shopping per se. Islam has no problem with shopping, but do we really buy what we need? Or are we sucked into a frenzy of hastiness which is condemned many times in the Qur’an and in the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him)? The mania that is Black Friday which started in the US occurs on the fourth Thursday of every November. It has nothing to do with race, it is to do with......
Read More
12
Nov 2018
Islamic Principle of Equality not Favouritism Say, , ‘If you love Allah, then follow me , then Allah will love you and forgive your sins. And Allah is All Forgiving and All Merciful.’ (3:31) Turning a blind eye to the crimes of people in the community due to their connections or status is easily done, however it goes against the very grain of Islam. The concept of justice in Islam applies to all people equally. Follow Me To truly love Allah, as we see in the ayah, is to follow the......
Read More
08
Nov 2018
When Differences Shatter the Community With Muslims always at odds with each other… With clashing points of view and clashing egos… What does the Qur’an tell us about differences amongst us? There are many verses talking about differences, one of these is surah Yunus, Allah Almighty says: Mankind were but one community (i.e. on one religion – Islamic Monotheism), then they differed (later), and had not it been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, it would have been settled between them regarding what they differed. (10:19) And in......
Read More
08
Nov 2018
Why Speed is of the Essence The simple formula to jump the queue when you are wishing for goodness in your life, but keep finding obstacles. You will never attain birr (righteousness) until you spend from what you love. Whatever you spend, Allah is fully aware of it. (3:92) Bukhari and Muslim narrated the story of Abu Talha’s response to this revelation. Who was Abu Talha? Abu Talha, the extremely wealthy resident of Madinah, who owned Bairuha the most beautiful garden filled with palm trees, which was an idyllic spot for picnics.......
Read More
02
Nov 2018
Standing Together Against Oppression On the authority of Abu Najeeh al-Irbaad ibn Saariyah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger (peace be on him) delivered an admonition that made our hearts fearful and our eyes tearful. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, it is as if it were a farewell admonition, so advise us.’ He said, ‘I advise you to have taqwa of Allah and to listen and obey even if a slave is a leader over you. Certainly, the one who will live among you will see lots......
Read More
30
Oct 2018
Essentials of Tawbah How can I know that my repentance has been accepted? What do I need to do to move on after I have made a mistake? What are the features of those closest to Allah Almighty? Al Muhasibi, the founder of the Baghdad School of Islamic philosophy, had a habit of venturing into the desert with his friend Junayd al-Baghdadi where the desolate landscape bore no distractions, and they could reflect on the answers to serious questions. In particular Al Muhasibi was able to utilise this time to focus inwards. His......
Read More
29
Oct 2018
Whether it is a child or a politician, the importance of honesty and integrity is the bedrock of a productive and successful society. When honesty is lacking from our leaders and absent in society, we risk failure in every sphere of life. A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe; and the believer (Mumin) is the one whom people can trust with their money and their souls. (Tirmidhi) Honour your Word and Fulfil your Trust In surah Muminoon and others Allah Almighty teaches us that believers......
Read More
25
Oct 2018
Being an Ummah with a Backbone The propensity to sin can be controlled by some, but not others who feed this tendency, and unchecked are able to unleash its rampant and malignant spread. A common question we ask ourselves is why do people behave like this? The modern answer is ‘because I can.’ Why did Firaun become the undisputed tyrant in his world? Because no one stopped him. Among the first surahs to be revealed was surah Alaq, in that surah Allah Almighty mentions the topic of transgression, where He says: No!......
Read More
20
Oct 2018
What Have You Packed? Being Prepared to Face Death Whenever you go on a journey you pack for it. Our most significant journey is to the Hereafter to meet Allah the Almighty, and so it is important to check what have we packed. It would be insane to go on a journey without provision. Therefore, Allah Almighty tells us to seek provisions. The Reality of Death ‘Glorious is He who is in His hand is the sovereignty, the kingdom, who created death and life, in order to test you who is best......
Read More
14
Oct 2018
What Causes the Fall of Nations? What are the four main causes for any nation to collapse? What do we need to do to protect ourselves and our children from the factors that lead to decline? If a wound should touch you – there has already touched the people a wound similar to it. And these days We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and take to Himself from among you martyrs – and Allah does not like the......
Read More
11
Oct 2018
How Should We React to News of Terror Attacks? And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matters you put forward to him, you would face difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you faith (imaan) and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the guided. (49:7) Allah Almighty says in Surah Hujarat that He made imaan appealing to the hearts of believers. Equally, mischief is not the......
Read More
11
Oct 2018
Be Shy of Allah Almighty O People, be shy before Allah Almighty as He merits The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘Be truly shy from Allah.’ The companions said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, praise and thanks be to Allah, we are shy from Him.’ Upon which he replied, ‘It is not that I mean. Being truly shy from Allah means that you preserve your head and what it comprehends (your thoughts, ideas, creed, religion…) and preserve your belly and what it contains (your source of livelihood should be lawful). Moreover,......
Read More
07
Oct 2018
Knowing Sins. The Big and The Small Allah wants to accept your repentance, but those who follow passions want you to digress a great deviation. (4:27) Just as you can’t challenge a parking permit if there was no sign there saying you can’t park there, Allah Almighty has given us the sign posts for sins, so that we know what is punishable. In order to avoid big sins we have to have know what they are. Particularly, as sinning is a form of Self harm. As Allah Almighty states in......
Read More
07
Oct 2018
Why There is No Limit to Recklessness, Hubris and Greed In a world riddled with oppression and injustice, one wonders why do we sin? Is it forgetfulness or rebelliousness? Or is it just that it is so easy to sin and there’s nothing to stop us? And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, ‘Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not......
Read More