1 – What is Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims around the world fast from dawn until sunset. It is a time of spiritual reflection, increased prayer and charitable acts. Muslims believe the doors of paradise are opened and the doors of hellfire are closed during this month …
The Fuqahaa have a unique way of reconciling apparently contradictory texts within the Quran and Sunnah. It’s a very rigorous filtering process to try their best at arriving at the truth. Each of the four schools has their own methodology and there is some overlap in some cases. The following is a brief description that …
How the Hanbali School Deals with Contradictory Evidence Read More »
Introduction This is one of five chapters of the Qur’an which begin with the word Alhamdulillah to teach us how to praise Allah. The other chapters are Fatihah, An’aam, Saba’, and Faatir. It is reported in a hadith that whoever memorizes the first 10 verses of Surah al-Kahf will be protected from the Anti-Christ (Dajjal) [Reported …
Brief Tafseer of First 10 Verses of Surah al-Kahf Read More »
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 …