IT IS NOT about how far you get through the Qur’an. It is about how far the Qur’an gets through you! Of course, we should recite it. With ten rewards for each letter recited from the Qur’an, who wouldn’t? And even more so in Ramadhan when the reward is multiplied further. Of course, we should … Continue reading Reflecting on the Qur’an: A Journey Beyond Recitation and Memorisation
WITH RAMADHAN FAST approaching in a week, what advice can I offer? Focus on quality, not quantity. I went through a phase where I spent time planning each minute of each day of Ramadhan hoping to earn Allah’s endless rewards. While I accomplished many tasks, I felt unchanged by the end of the month. The … Continue reading A Journey of Progress: Transforming Ramadhan
RETURNING FROM MY local supermarket I was struck by the huge stock of flowers, chocolates and cards ready for Valentine’s Day. A thought crossed my mind. In the age of materialism, even the expression of love can be corrupted and commercialised. We are flooded with ideas of how to be romantic in the run-up to … Continue reading The Romantic Muslim: Love in the Age of Materialism
A MIRACULOUS NIGHT journey. With Jibril (as), the Prophet ﷺ travelled on a winged creature whose stride took it as far as the eye could see. They paused at various places before arriving at the Holy Land and masjid al Aqsa. He led all the prophets in prayer, affirming his foremost position amongst the prophets … Continue reading The Night Journey: A Lesson in Speaking the Truth
TODAY WE ATTENDED a janazah of a well-respected alim in our community. Whilst I personally hadn’t met him, he and his family were known to my wife. On the way to the masjid, we discussed our purpose for going. As Muslims, it’s crucial to correct our intentions and actions to please Allah alone and avoid … Continue reading Attending Janazah: Intentions and Actions
THERE IS A story that Allah ﷻ mentions in surah al Araf that is worth revisiting again and again. He ﷻ describes a village by the sea at the time of Bani Isra’il. Like most villages by the sea, the people’s livelihood was dependent upon the bounties from the sea. Allah ﷻ wanted to test … Continue reading The Good, the Bad and Those Who Remain Silent
UP AND DOWN the country, every single day there are charity fundraising events for our ummah in Gaza. Funds to buy the basics to live; food, milk, clothing, and shelter. This is a noble cause. But, if I were at one of these gatherings, I would want to say a few words. ‘My brothers and … Continue reading Charity vs Liberation: Changing the Solution for Gaza
THE MESSENGER ﷺ SAID: ‘The most beloved of places to Allah are the masajid, and the most hated of places to Allah are the markets.’ (Muslim) Why would the marketplaces be the worst of places? It is not too difficult to work out. Buying and selling is a necessary part of life but in the … Continue reading When the Marketplace Becomes a Way of Life
IF YOU ARE not inviting others to your thoughts and way of life, they will invite you to theirs. You might not think so but that is the reality of life. There is no neutral position. The New Year’s Eve celebration is a good example. Whilst some may use it to reflect on the year … Continue reading An Identity Crisis: Muslims and New Year’s Celebrations
SOMEONE ONCE TOLD me that if you are going to ask Allah for your rizq, then don’t ask for little. Ask for immense wealth, so much that you never have to worry about money again. After all, Allah is ar-Razzaq, the Provider, and He gives without limit. To support this idea, he quoted the words … Continue reading Overcoming the Scarcity Mentality and Fear of Missing Out with Dua
Living For Islam 