A letter to my friend. Part 2: Taking stock of time and activities

A letter to my friend. Part 2: Taking stock of time and activities

Take stock of your time and activities Imam Al-Muhasibi wrote a letter to his friend [as usual, it’s framed as on the account of a wise man who wrote to his friend] offering some advice. We have mentioned before that Imam Al-Muhasibi’s close companion is Al-Junayd Al-Baghdadi. He wrote: “I advise you to… What are…

A letter to my friend. Part 1: The 7 traits of the successful believer

A letter to my friend. Part 1: The 7 traits of the successful believer

Imam Al-Muhasibi wrote a letter to his friend [as usual, it’s framed as on the account of a wise man who wrote to his friend] offering some advice. We have mentioned before that Imam Al-Muhasibbi’s close companion is Al-Junayd Al-Baghdadi. He wrote: “I advise you to… 1.    Eethar: Give preference to Allah first Fix what…

free will, guidance and and destiny explained

Free will, guidance and destiny explained

Is guidance restricted? Indeed, those who have believed then disbelieved, then believed, then disbelieved, and then increased in disbelief – never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to a way. (4:137) A superficial reading of this ayah and similar ayahs can be misinterpreted if one does not have a deeper understanding of the concept…

(1:1-7) What to remember in our daily dialogue with our Lord

What are the key points to bear in mind when reciting Surah Fatiha?   The richness of Surah Al Fatiha cannot be over-estimated, as it sets out what we believe (aqeeda) as well as what we need to do (action). Poised delicately between hope and fear, through this surah, we glimpse the vastness of Allah’s…