29
Aug 2018
Why Belief has to be Coupled with Thought Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and the night are evidence (of the existence of God) for people of reason. It is these who remember God while standing, sitting, or resting on their sides and who think about the creation of the heavens and the earth and say, ‘Lord, you have not created all this without reason. Glory be to you. Lord, save us from the torment of the fire’ (3:190-191) In this particular......
Read More
26
Aug 2018
Navigating the Deceitful Years The Prophet (peace be on him) said, ‘Before the Hour comes, there will be years of deceit, in which a truthful person will be disbelieved and a liar will be believed; and the insignificant will have a say’. (Ahmad)* The signs of the Day of Judgement are mentioned in countless verses in the Qur’an and in hadith. One of the signs was mentioned when Angel Jibreel, in the very famous hadith, came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked ‘O Muhammed! Tell me about the hour.’......
Read More
25
Aug 2018
Leadership, Punishment, and Wealth Certainly you have knowledge of those among you who transgressed in (the matter of) the Sabbath. We said to them, ‘Become apes, abased.’ (65) Thus, We made it a deterrent for those around and (those who came) after them – and a lesson for the God-fearing. (2:65-66) Clear and Effective Leadership Effective leadership needs to be firm. In positive parenting, experts talk about tough love. Ultimately it is up to a leader to ensure that the people in his charge behave in the best manner. Rules and codes......
Read More
24
Aug 2018
The Virus The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said, “Shall I tell you about the best of you?” They said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (peace be on him) said, “The best of you are those who, when they are seen, inspire others to remember Allah Almighty.” The Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) said, “Shall I not inform you of the worst among you?’” They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “Those who go to and fro bearing tales , who cause separation between......
Read More
22
Aug 2018
A Question of Murder When Musa said to his people, “Allah commands you to slaughter a cow”, they said, “Are you making fun of us?” He said, “I seek refuge with Allah from being one of the ignorant.” (67) They said, “Pray for us to your Lord that He makes it clear to us what sort (of cow) should she be.” He said, “He says she should be a cow neither too old, nor too young – of some middle age in between. Now, do what you are being asked to do.”......
Read More
20
Aug 2018
The Conflict between Belief and What We Want Surely, those who believed in Allah, and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabians, -whosoever believes in Allah and in the Last Day, and does good deeds – all such people will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no reason for them to fear, nor shall they grieve. (62) And when We took the pledge from you, and raised high above you the (Mount of) Tur: “Hold fast to what We have given to you, and remember what is......
Read More
18
Aug 2018
The Essence of Eid al Adha Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: When the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) came to Medina, the people had two days on which they engaged in games. He asked: What are these two days (what is their significance)? They said: We used to engage ourselves on them in the pre-Islamic period. The Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: Allah has replaced you something better than them, the day of Adha and the day of the Fitr. (Abu Dawoud)......
Read More
15
Aug 2018
The Gratitude Mindset When Musa sought water for his people, We said, “Strike the rock with your staff,” And twelve springs gushed forth from it. Each group of people came to know their drinking place. “Eat and drink of what Allah has provided, and do not go about the earth spreading disorder.” And when you said, “Musa , we will no longer confine ourselves to a single food: So, pray for us to your Lord that He may bring forth for us of what the earth grows – of its vegetable, its......
Read More
14
Aug 2018
The Battle between Self Interest and Truth And remember We said: “Enter this town and eat of the plenty therein as ye wish; but enter the gate with humility, in posture and in words, and We shall forgive you your faults and increase (the portion of) those who do good.” (58) But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them; so We sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven, for that they infringed (our command) repeatedly. (2:58-59) Bani Israel’s attitude beggars belief at times. Rescued from slavery,......
Read More
12
Aug 2018
Spending Wisely – Avoid the Mania Spending without Extravagance In Surah Furqan, Allah Almighty describes ibadur Rahman (the obedient servants) of Allah Almighty. Amongst their attributes, He mentions that they do not overspend and they do not act with stinginess, but they take a moderate way between them. And those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, moderate (25:67) And in another verse in Surah Isra, as in many other surahs, we see that Allah Almighty is saying do not squander......
Read More
12
Aug 2018
More Lessons from Bani Israel And when We appointed forty nights for Musa, then you took the calf (as God) thereafter, and you were unjust. (51) Yet We pardoned you, even after that, so that you may show gratitude. (52) Then We gave Musa the Book and the Criterion (of right and wrong), so that you may find the right path. (53) When Musa said to his people: ‘My people, you have wronged yourselves by your taking the calf (as God). So, turn in repentance to your Creator, and slay yourselves. That will......
Read More
10
Aug 2018
The Importance of Aiming High ‘Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them which of them is best in deed.’ (18:7) What is zeenah? We recite surah Kahf every Friday. And in this surah, Allah Almighty says we have made what is on the earth an adornment for it in order to test our conduct. The Arabic word for adornment is zeenah and there are many verses in the Qur’an mentioning zeenah. But what is zeenah? We have two......
Read More
09
Aug 2018
Do you have to Practice What You Preach? And be steadfast in Salah (prayer), and pay Zakah, and bow down with those who bow down. (43) Do you enjoin righteousness upon others while you ignore your own selves, although you keep reciting the Book? Have you then no sense? (2:44) Allah Almighty is pointing out the hypocrisy of preaching one thing, while personally doing another. At the time of this revelation, there were some rabbis who would instruct their followers to do one thing, but themselves would do another. Allah Almighty is......
Read More
08
Aug 2018
How to Escape the Clutches of the Nafs Seek help through patience and prayer. It is indeed exacting, but not for those who are humble in their hearts, (45) Who bear in mind that they are to meet their Lord, and that to Him they are to return. (2:45-46) What prevents us from caving into our baser cravings? The relentless pull of our nafs is tough to keep in check. Just as the irrepressible urge of a smoker to pick up a cigarette makes him feel trapped, repeating a behaviour that he......
Read More
03
Aug 2018
The Courage to Recognise the Truth ‘O Children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfil your covenant with Me and I shall fulfil My covenant with you and fear none but Me. (40) And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject faith therein, nor sell My Signs for a small price: and fear Me, and Me alone. (41) And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what......
Read More