“FOR FASTING THE day of ʿAshura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that came before,” said our beloved Prophet ﷺ (Ibn Majah) As the sacred day of ʿAshura draws near, many of us prepare to fast on the 9th (Tasu’a) and 10th of Muharram, seeking the immense reward of having … Continue reading ‘Ashura: Not Just a Fast
THE PEOPLE OF this world are like passengers on a ship journeying across the sea. During their voyage, the ship halts at a beautiful island. The captain announces that they may go ashore for a short time but warns them not to linger too long. The passengers disembark and wander in various directions. The wisest … Continue reading Left Behind on the Island: The Danger of Worldly Distraction
A QUIET KNOCK on the door. It was late. But Abu Bakr (ra) had been expecting it. He had been ready for this moment ever since the Prophet ﷺ told him that Allah had granted him permission to emigrate. Abu Bakr (ra) had prayed to be chosen as the companion on this momentous and dangerous … Continue reading 1447 Years: History, Meaning and Relevance of the Hijrah Today
SOME IN OUR community express that we were better off under the iron fists of rulers like Saddam, Gaddafi, and Mubarak than under those who have replaced them since the Arab Spring. As they watch, helplessly, the unimaginable horror unfold in Gaza they ask: Surely, the old guard would not have stood by silently in … Continue reading From Complaint to Commitment: Building What Allah Commands
IN THE SIXTH year after the Hijrah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a dream in which he was performing the rites of Hajj. The dreams of the prophets are divine revelation, so he shared it with the Sahabah. Imagine the excitement that rippled through them—especially among the Muhajirun. Finally, after years of exile, they … Continue reading Tribalism: Past and Present
SUMMER CAN BE a challenging time for Muslims living in the West. As the temperature goes up, the clothes come off. Five things that we can do to protect ourselves. 1. Lower the gaze قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ ‘Tell the believing men … Continue reading From Gaze to Guidance: Remedies for a Summer Trial
“O IBRAHIM! WHERE are you going? Are you going to leave us in this valley where there is neither human nor living creature?” Hajar repeated. But Ibrahim (as) did not answer. Finally, she asked him: “Has Allah commanded you to do so?” He answered: “Yes.” “Then He will not neglect us!” At that point, she … Continue reading Today’s Struggle, Tomorrow’s History: A Lesson From the Life of Hajar
WHEN I WAS a boy, I remember asking my father about Qurbani. He told me it was about sacrifice — about giving up what you love, for the sake of Allah. He shared a story from his own childhood, growing up on a village farm in the 1930s and 40s. While my grandfather was a … Continue reading What is Your Ismael? Reflections on Qurbani
WE ARE IN the most sacred days of the Islamic calendar—the days of Dhul Hijjah, days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than any other time of the year. But whilst we strive to accumulate our good deeds in these sacred days, are we missing something deeper. A lesson… a reminder… and … Continue reading Sacred Days, Broken Bonds
STORYTELLING REMAINS ONE of the most powerful ways to convey a concept or lesson. Interestingly, while the Qur’an provides many verses outlining the rules of marriage, it includes very few stories that demonstrate marriage through the lives of the Prophets. One notable exception, however, is found in the story of Musa (as), and it holds … Continue reading The Story of Musa (as) and Marriage: Timeless Lessons
Living For Islam 