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…
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…
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…
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,…
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 [opposing] people a wound similar to…
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…
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…
Knowing Sins. The Big and The Small Allah wants to accept your repentance, but those who follow [their] passions want you to digress [into] 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…
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,…
What do I need to know about Rizq? We spend our lives chasing our rizq. Trying to make ends meet, to increase our wealth and spending it. What do we need to keep in mind? The Prophet (peace be on him) said, ‘Oh people, nothing makes you closer to Allah Almighty, and closer to jannah…
Muharram: When did floodgates of fitnah open and how do we deal with Karbala? Why is our Ummah constantly suffering? Hudhaifa Ibn Al Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) was the collector of all the narrations from the Prophet (peace be on him) regarding fitnah – if anyone wants to know the details of fitnah…
Muharram: Commonly asked Questions Hijra did not take place in Muharram People always connect Hijra with Muharram, but in fact the Prophet (peace be on him) made his Hijra towards the end of Safar and arrived in Madinah in around 12th of Rabbi al Awwal. Why do we commemorate Hijra in Muharram? In Omar’s time…
Hijra: How Migrants Escaping Oppression Can Be a Source of Goodness As every New Hijri Year begins, we reflect on the Prophet’s (peace be on him) migration from Makkah to Madinah. What the reason for it? Persecution. Injustice. Disregard for human rights. Freedom of Expression The Prophet (peace be on him) was asking for…
Muharram: Never Give Up Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him) was inspired divinely at the age of forty. Then he stayed in Makkah for thirteen years, and then was ordered to migrate, and he migrated to Madinah and stayed there for ten years and then died. (Bukhari) 1. Try your Best and Exert Yourself For…
Muharram Reflections on the Hijra (Migration) The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said on the day of the Conquest of Mecca: There is no Hijra (migration) after conquering Makkah but (only) jihad (striving in the way of Allah) and niyyah (sincere intention) [have great reward]; when you are asked to set…