Speak that which is best

Speak that which is best

Allah Almighty stated in the Quran that we should be careful what we utter. وَقُل لِّعِبَادِى يَقُولُوا۟ ٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ كَانَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ عَدُوًّۭا مُّبِينًۭا Tell My servants that they should speak that which is best. Surely, Satan creates discord among them. Indeed, Satan is an open enemy…

Character Audit – improve yourself using the prophetic template
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Character Audit – improve yourself using the prophetic template

The greatest role model was undoubtedly the Prophet ﷺ. What was it about him that made his personality so warm and charismatic and at the same time, made him the greatest human being ever to have lived? What were the qualities he possessed that we can improve within ourselves? Check his qualities in yourself. Here…

How to overcome negative people in your life
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How to overcome negative people in your life

De-constructing the types of people who spread negativity from the Qur’an In every community there are people who hold you back. You want to move forward, but they pull you backwards. All of us have experienced such people at different points in our lives. Some are within our own families, some in our mosques, some…

How to deal with interference by parents and in-laws within marriage
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How to deal with interference by parents and in-laws within marriage

One of the most painful realities within many Muslim families today, particularly in South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, is the interference of parents and in-laws in their children’s marriages. Whether it’s choosing a spouse, managing the relationship, or raising grandchildren, this interference often goes beyond well-meaning advice and becomes a cause of long-term damage…

Guide how to dispel rumours

Guide how to dispel rumours

In an age of rapid information dissemination through various channels, rumours spread like wildfire, causing anxiety, confusion, and division within Muslim communities. It is crucial for Muslims to understand the significance of dealing with rumours responsibly, both as individuals and as a community. In particular it is sadly common for those in positions of leadership….

The Islamic Social Code – building a harmonious community
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The Islamic Social Code – building a harmonious community

Surat al-Hujarat is a Madani Surah full of rulings about the social code for a community, setting out boundaries and etiquettes for how to deal with other people in a way that pleases Allah. It has more rulings than it has ayahs – it has only 18 ayahs. Avoid much suspicion One of the most…

Eavesdropping, phone-hacking and spying. How Islam safeguards privacy.
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Eavesdropping, phone-hacking and spying. How Islam safeguards privacy.

Privacy has to be respected Anas Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘He who seeks to listen to the talk of a people (secretly) will have molten lead poured into his ears on the Day of Resurrection’. [Bukhari] Social etiquettes The Prophet (peace be…

What is the best of three options when there is backbiting?
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What is the best of three options when there is backbiting?

Abu Ad-Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Whoever defends his brother’s honour in his absence, Allah will protect his face from the hellfire on the day of Resurrection.’ [Tirmidhi]* This hadith is one of the ahadith that established a new social code – the Islamic…

Learn from the Prophet ﷺ  how to communicate
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Learn from the Prophet ﷺ how to communicate

Regardless of whether we should or should not celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (peace be upon him), we certainly should celebrate his character in our life. As he was the best of Allah’s creation, we should try to emulate the beautiful aspects of his character in our life. To talk about the Prophet (peace…

Ghazali on the 6 levels of truthfulness
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Ghazali on the 6 levels of truthfulness

Ghazali lived in 5th century Hijri and his book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin (Revival of the Sciences of the Religion), and his life’s works and thoughts. In the last ten principles of the forty, he looks…

ghazali on showing off
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Ghazali on showing off (riya) part 3

Ghazali lived in 5th century Hijri and his book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. In purification of the heart, Ghazali mentions 10 principles. Ostentation (riya) or doing things to show off…

Ghazali on showing off (part 2)
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Ghazali on showing off (part 2)

Ghazali lived in 5th century Hijri  and his book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. In purification of the heart, Ghazali mentions 10 principles. Ostentation (riya) or doing things to show off…

Ghazali on showing off
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Ghazali on showing off (riya)

Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. In purification of the heart, Ghazali mentions 10 principles. Ostentation (riya) or doing things to show off is the last principle and it…

Ghazali on Joking. Laugh with others, not at them.
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Ghazali on Joking. Laugh with others, not at them.

Can Muslims take a joke? Imam Ghazali’s book, Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion,’ which he wrote before his death, is a summary of Ihya Ulumuddin, and his life’s works and thoughts. In his chapter entitled Tazkiya al Qulub, ‘The Purification of the Heart’, he pinpoints blameworthy characteristics which we…