23
Sep 2021
Following the Sunnah In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, which is a summary of his great work, Ihya Ulum ad-Din, he has a chapter on Following the Sunnah. He discusses the importance of following the Prophet (peace be on him) and establishing a bondship with him. Not just following him in ibadah but in all spheres of our life. Importantly, he emphasises that we should do this even if we do not understand the wisdom behind and refers to three secrets why we should......
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09
Sep 2021
In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, The Forty Principles of the Religion, the summary of his great work, Ihya Ulum ad-Din, he examines the concept of Following the Sunnah, in chapter 10. The key to happiness is following the Sunnah Itiba as-sunnah as-mifahu as-sa’ada We can write reams and reams on this topic and indeed there is a 5th century book called the ‘Key to Happiness’, Miftahu as-Sa’ada. It is a beautiful concept and great motto that the key to happiness is to follow the Prophet (peace be on him).......
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24
Aug 2021
Let there be a group among you who call ˹others˺ to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil—it is they who will be successful. (3:104) The believers, both men and women, are guardians of one another. They encourage good and forbid evil, establish prayer and pay alms-tax, and obey Allah and His Messenger. It is they who will be shown Allah’s mercy. Surely Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. (9:71) They did not forbid each other to do wrong. How vile their deeds were! (5:79) My own favourite ayah on this......
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02
Jul 2021
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amr reported: I met the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said to me: “O ‘Uqbah, reconcile with whoever cuts you off, give to whoever deprives you, and forgive whoever wrongs you.” (Musnad Ahmad) This hadith does not mean you put up with abuse but that you return evil with goodness. Al Ghazali calls this the level of the siddiqeen. They are the ones who connect those who disconnect them, and give to those who prevent them and forgive those who wronged them. The highest......
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25
Jun 2021
Religion is a journey to Allah Ghazali defines religion (deen) as travelling to Allah. Hence Arabs have a saying as safaru yusfiru an akhlaq ar rijaal – travel (safar) reveals and exposes people’s character. If you give testimony, in order to establish how well you actually know someone, you are asked if have you travelled with them? If you haven’t travelled with them, you do not really know them. The second acid test of knowing someone is dealing with them financially. These two aspects are very revealing about people’s true character. Getting......
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