Have your good deeds been accepted?

Have your good deeds been accepted?

How sincerity leads to a happy ever after In Surat al-Ma’idah, Allah states:  إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous. [5:27] In this ayah, Allah is talking about the acceptance of deeds and the fact that He only accepts the deeds of the righteous – the muttaqeen. Ramadan has come…

Do not turn back to your old ways after Ramadan
|

Do not turn back to your old ways after Ramadan

Abdullah ibn Sarjis (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said O Allah, I seek refuge in You from decline after prosperity (al-hawr ba’d al kawr) and I seek refuge in your from the supplication of the oppressed. (Muslim) Scholars commented on this very special dua, which literally means…

How to perform Eid Salah
| | |

How to perform Eid Salah

Eid salah is performed twice a year at Eid al-Fitr (after completing the month of Ramadan) and at Eid al-Adha (after Hajj) as a way of expressing gratitude to Allah for enabling us to worship Him. The majority of scholars consider Eid salah to be highly emphasised (Sunnah Mu’akkadah), while others (such as the Hanafi…

Eid al Adha – a time of sacrifice and unity
|

Eid al Adha – a time of sacrifice and unity

The Prophet (peace be on him) used to reciteSurat Al-‘Ala and Surat Al-Ghashiyah at Eid. These are Makkah surahs, which characteristically mention imaan, the challenges of society and the temptations of dunya and reward for obedience contrasted by the punishment for ignoring or defying Allah. The same theme is repeated in both surahs. This way…

Being grateful on Eid
|

Being grateful on Eid

In the verses of fasting in Surat al-Baqarah, Allah says that He wants ease for us, not hardship, and that we should complete the prescribed days and glorify Him for guiding us — and that we may be grateful. وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ“…and so that you complete the prescribed period,…

Which day should I celebrate Eid if I started on a different day to everyone else?
|

Which day should I celebrate Eid if I started on a different day to everyone else?

If you travel during Ramadan, it is possible that the place you arrive in is celebrating Eid a day earlier than the place where you began fasting. In that case, you should celebrate Eid with the local community and not continue fasting while they are celebrating. You should then make up the missed fast after…

Common misconceptions: Can menstruating women visit the mosque, attend Eid salah and perform Hajj?
| |

Common misconceptions: Can menstruating women visit the mosque, attend Eid salah and perform Hajj?

Can women go to the mosque during their period? The question of whether women can attend the mosque during their menstrual periods is a topic of discussion among scholars. Different schools of thought have varying perspectives on this matter, and understanding these can help provide clarity on the issue. The Islamic perspective on menstruation In…

Eid – The time to renew your covenant with Allah
|

Eid – The time to renew your covenant with Allah

It is the Sunnah to recite Surat al-A’la and Surat al-Ghashiyah during the Eid salah. These surahs are Makki surahs, and as typical of Makki surahs, they dwell on themes of monotheism, belief in the akhirah, and renewing our covenant with Allah. We praise Him and are reminded to consider the outcome of our actions…

What Eid al Adha teaches us about making choices
|

What Eid al Adha teaches us about making choices

The story of Eid therefore embodies the principle of certainty (yaqeen), commitment and sacrifice. Every Eid we are reminded of the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). He is the symbol of sacrifice. When he was commanded to sacrifice his son, he had absolute certainty (yaqeen) in Allah Almighty and true tawakkul (trust). It…

What should I do if my mosque says the Day or Arafah is different from the day the Hajjis go to Arafah?
|

What should I do if my mosque says the Day or Arafah is different from the day the Hajjis go to Arafah?

Although I recommend people to follow their local community when it comes to fasting in Ramadan and celebrating Eid, I would not recommend anyone to fast on the day the Hajjis are celebrating Eid. The Ummah should unite during the days of Dhul Hijjah. We should show solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are…

The Rhythm of the Ummah – glorification and gratitude

The Rhythm of the Ummah – glorification and gratitude

Every Eid begins with the takbeer. Across all countries around the world, Allahu Akber, Allahu Akber, Allahu Akber, wa lilahi hamd. The rhythm of the takbeer is like the beat of the heart. All together north and south, east and west, the takbeer resounds throughout the Ummah. It shows how strong we are when we…