Refreshing the Soul in Ramadan Striving Any achievement requires hard work. It needs sacrifices and it needs commitment. But we live in a world of instant and constant self-gratification. So, we have to strive to reach our potential, we have to strive against the pulls in a world of social media, surplus food, constant stream…
A simple guide to working out your zakat Checklist identify the date you first reached nisab (your zakat start date) one lunar year later, total your zakatable assets (cash, gold/silver, shares as applicable, business inventory as applicable) subtract immediate debts that are actually due (and apply your chosen view on longer-term debts consistently) if you…
The general principle of prompt burial The starting principle in Islamic law is that the deceased should be buried without unnecessary delay. The Prophet ﷺ said: «أَسْرِعُوا بِالْجَنَازَةِ» “Hasten with the funeral.” (Agreed upon) This hadith establishes that burial should not be postponed without need. The scholars understood from this that delaying burial for emotional…
The topic of destiny (al-qadar) is one of the most difficult topics to understand. The more you go into it, the more complicated it feels. I will try my best to simplify it, and also give you some tips on how to deal with it and understand it, because it is one of the most…
Ramadan is a month that returns every year. Only the fortunate among us are those who witness Ramadan, and more fortunate still are those who truly benefit from it. How people receive Ramadan Some people receive Ramadan as if it is just another month. Others long for it, welcoming it with passion, commitment, sincerity, and…
There is an enormous amount of information and research work on Muslim women that is confused with culture and unsubstantiated. A big part of that confusion is that we no longer know what is genuinely Islamic and what is just culture. On top of that, we are constantly being fed images from media, films, drama,…
Why would someone born in London, who had lived her entire life in London, and who had very few close friends in hijab choose to wear hijab? Let me start by asking: When is a piece of cloth not just a piece of cloth? When it is a superhero cape. This is what I read…
As another year draws to a close, momentarily our attention is drawn to the passing of time. Certain milestones flicker in our minds. Shaky legs learnt to walk, wobbly teeth fell out, exams were passed (though not always), knots were tied, steady legs began to wobble and loved ones left us. 365 days expired – never…
Why people turn to astrologers Across cultures and societies, people most often consult astrologers at moments of anxiety and uncertainty. The most common trigger is marriage. Individuals worry about whether marriage is written for them, when it will happen, whether a particular person is a suitable match, or whether obstacles they face are signs of…
Following my exciting adventure up Jabal Nour, I decide to embark on my next escapade… Mount Uhud. Free to go where I want, when I want, how I want… the prospect is exciting. Following another negotiation with a taxi driver in which I know he is overcharging me, I swiftly agree to 50 Riyals –…
Something inside me said ‘Leave right now!’ I felt I didn’t have a moment to lose. I quickly slipped on my trainers and threw on my abaya, wondering whether it would be getting in my way when I was climbing… As I prepared to leave, Mum wondered why I was in such a rush, we…
Understanding musalsal hadith Musalsal hadith are a fascinating part of hadith studies because they show not only what was narrated but how the narration was passed from teacher to student across generations. Instead of focusing only on the words of the hadith, this category highlights repeated patterns in the chain of transmission, such as a…
Are string instruments permissible in Islam? The permissibility of music In Islam, any ruling of prohibition has to be based on authentic evidence and clear meaning. In music there is no such evidence, so we can’t pronounce it haram. The use and the accompanied actions might be haram, that’s a different discussion. If a…
The unity that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ achieved among his people stands as one of the most extraordinary social transformations in human history. Before Islam, Arabia was a land scarred by vengeance, tribal wars, and moral decay. Entire generations perished in feuds that began over pride or pastures. Class, lineage, and bloodline determined worth; women…
There are some favours in life that money cannot measure and words cannot repay – moments when someone steps in and lifts a weight off your shoulders. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and one of the great scholars of the Companions, reflected on this in…