Allah very clearly informed us of the purpose of our creation and existence when He said: وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. [Qur’an 51:56] The essence of worship is complete submission and obedience to Allah. Ibn Jawzi said about the meaning of …
Servitude to Allah: A Dive into the Master-Slave Relationship Read More »
Today is the last day of this beautiful month of Ramadan. I would like to share a few reflections on its ending and how we can continue the momentum even after its departure: Muslims often say that they find more peace, blessings, and tranquility within Ramadan than outside of it. Part of that has definitely …
Every now and then I get an email through this blog from someone who wants to begin studying the Hanbali school of fiqh but cannot understand Arabic. They are often eager to start right away and are looking for resources. I am going to share here what I usually tell them. The first thing you need …
How to Start Studying the Hanbali School in English Read More »
It is highly recommended to try and finish the Qur’an in Ramadan due to the fact that the Angel Gabriel (Jibreel) used to teach and revise it with the Prophet (ﷺ) every Ramadan. It is reported from Ibn Abbas that: كَانَ جِبْرِيلُ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ يَلْقَاهُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ، فَيُدَارِسُهُ الْقُرْآنَ Gabriel …
I have been giving Friday sermons (khutbah) for over a decade now for various mosques in my area. I recently came across an article in Arabic about tips on public speaking. I found them very helpful and can relate them to my own personal experience, so I thought I’d share them here on my blog. …
Tips for Khateebs: 11 Ways to Become a Highly Effective Public Speaker Read More »
We are commanded by Allah in the Qur’an to not only save ourselves but also our families from the fire of hell. Allah says [the meaning of which is]: “O believers! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, overseen by formidable and severe angels, who never disobey whatever …
Muslim Parenting: Resources for Muslim Moms and Dads Read More »
A few days ago, one of my cousin’s youngest daughter, 6 years old, was killed in a tragic accident in Pakistan. A water tanker accidentally ran over her small precious body while playing with her friends in the street right in front of her house. Her parents are, quite understandably, in a complete state of …
Loss of a Child: Hadiths on Losing Children Provide Some Comfort Read More »