Question: Generally one expects that one will grow up and have a certain life, one will get married and will have children. When those things don’t happen then you’re left with a sense of unfairness that ‘I don’t have something that other people have’. You can try to say to yourself that you are happy…
Many people find the idea of their spiritual journey being fast-tracked by joining a tariqa (Sufi path) appealing. They think that their connection with Allah will be strengthened, and accelerated and that showing obedience to their shaykh, who is already well-advanced on that journey, will be the shortcut to Jannah. The most renowned Sufi shaykh…
The obligation of salah Praying at the specified time is obligatory for all sane Muslims over the age of puberty. Verily, As Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. (Surah Nisa’ 4:103) Allah allocated specific times for acts of worship for reasons that are known to Him. We know some of…
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be please with him) said the Prophet (peace be on him) said: None of you should drink while standing’ (Muslim) This hadith though clear in its meaning has to be viewed in relation to other hadith in order to get a full picture of what is permissible. We do not take…
Common misconceptions – due to the misapplication of hadith There is common opinion that you should not greet non-Muslims with the salam. Or that you should only reply to them with ‘walaikum‘ not ‘walaikum asalam‘. This opinion is based on the hadith: Suhayl and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be please with them) narrated that the…
In all the Abrahamic faiths it is documented that pork is forbidden. Certain groups within the Jewish and Christian faiths have chosen to drop this food rule, saying that it is no longer necessary. The question arises, do we follow a divine rule because of the wisdom behind the command or because it is a…
Sometimes we engage in dhikr but the heart is not connected to the tongue. Should we stop? The first point is to continue doing dhikr, as otherwise the shaytan will come and hunt you and put you off doing dhikr because you are not focused. He will put you off doing dhikr altogether. Second, try…
Salah has pillars (arkan) which are essential components. If any of these are missing, then the salah must be repeated. Salah also has obligatory components (wajib parts), however if these are missed, they can be rectified by making the prostration of forgetfulness, sajda al sahw. The Pillars of Salah (arkan) 1. The forbidding takbeer You…
The words Qurbani and Udhiya Qubani means sacrifice, something which is offered to Allah, in order to come close to Him, from the word qurb (closeness). In the Middle East it is known as Udhiya which refers to the timing of the sacrifice, as it is conventionally performed after Fajr but before the Dhur, which…
If you genuinely eat, drink or have intercourse while you are fasting, out of forgetfulness, your fast is not broken. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be on him) said: “Whoever forgets he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast for it is Allah…
Duas for protection Whoever recites it three times in the morning will not be afflicted by any calamity before evening, and whoever recites it three times in the evening will not be overtaken by any calamity before morning: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ Bismillahilladhi…
Fasting is preceded by the intention (niyyah) to refrain from eating and drinking. It does not need to be verbalised, it is in the heart. How do I make intention to fast in Ramadan? As per the Maliki school of thought, it is possible to make your intention to fast for the whole month of…
Do women have to wear a headscarf? It is commanded by Allah that believing women have to wear a headscarf. The Quran is absolutely clear on this matter. Though some argue that it is not a requirement, in fact there is no room for debate on this as we will see in this article. The…
The power of smell The powerful effect of smells cannot be underestimated. There is a deep science behind the psychology of smells. Smells in animal kingdom are used to send sophisticated signals, and in aromatherapy they are used to alter mood, and are effective in evoking memories. The clean and fresh ummah In Islam we…
Istighfar – the remover of all difficulties Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be on him) said: The one who [regularly] says Istighfaar, Allah will open a path for him from all difficulties, remove him from all sorrow, and grant him sustenance from unimagined and unexpected sources….