Tafseer, Translations

Surah Al-Naas: A Brief Explanation

Rameez Abid / July 15, 2019

Introduction This chapter was revealed during the Meccan period. It is one of the two al-Mu’awwidhatan (المعوذتان), which some translate as ‘the verses of refuge’, in the Qur’an. The other one being Surah al-Falaq. In this chapter, there is mention of seeking protection and refuge in the Lord from the evil of the greatest enemy: Iblees and his devilish helpers from among the mankind and jinn. Allah finished His book with the verses of refuge and began it with Surah Al-Fatiha in order to gather the good between the beginning and end. This is a beautiful combination because the slave…

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The Qur'an
Tazkiyyah (Spiritual Development)

How to Connect With the Qur’an

Rameez Abid / June 23, 2019

I want to share a beneficial technique which I feel is useful in connecting with the Qur’an and which I have been utilizing for a few years now. I see too many people obsessed with finishing the Qur’an without really connecting with it, which is one of its intended purposes. The advice below may be useful for everyday average Muslims who are not enrolled in an Islamic studies program and/or thorough study of the religious sciences. Of course, there is a much deeper and thorough connection that can be built with the Qur’an only through a thorough study of the…

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Contemporary Issues, Hadith

Hadith Explained: “The Sun Prostrates Under the Throne and Takes Permission to Rise Again”

Rameez Abid / June 6, 2019

It is Reported by Al-Bukhari from Abu Dharr that once the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) asked him after sunset, “Do you know where the sun goes (at the time of sunset)?” He replied, “Allah and His Apostle know better.” So the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) answered: “It goes and prostrates beneath the Throne, then it asks for permission (to rise) and permission is given to it. Soon it will prostrate, but it will not be accepted from it, and it will ask for permission (to rise) but permission will not be given to it; it will be said to it: “Go back…

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Articles

How to Start a Blog: The Quick and Easy Way

Rameez Abid / May 30, 2019

I started blogging a few years ago and it has grown a lot since those initial years. I remember when I first started this blog, I would barely get any views but now I am hitting over a thousand views a month and still growing! This is without marketing or anything. It’s all organic traffic coming mainly from Google. Take a look at the bar graph below of my traffic for the past few years. As you can see, it is consistently growing and I am hoping to cross 200,000 views this year. The thing you have to remember about…

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Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), Seeking Knowledge

How to Study the Hanbali Madhab From Beginner to Advanced

Rameez Abid / May 26, 2019

The first thing to do when a student wants to study Hanbali fiqh in a serious manner is to find a teacher. There is no way getting around this condition. It does not matter how many books, commentaries, or lectures you listen to, if you are not engaging with the texts of the school directly with a teacher to guide you through them, then there is a strong possibility of making serious flaws and having numerous misunderstandings. If you do not know where to find one in your area, then reach out to groups like المدرسة الحنبلية. They offer inexpensive…

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Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence)

Easy Hajj Guide (Printable PDF Included)

Rameez Abid / May 23, 2019

What follows is a very easy step by step process on how to do Hajj prepared by Sh. Muhammad Alshareef. You can also download a brochure style one page double sided printable PDF version of the guide below by clicking here. My family used this very guide to do our very first Hajj. It was so helpful that we needed little to no supervision during the transition between the different rites. We knew exactly what to do and what was happening next. At one point other people at Hajj were coming up to us and asking for help when they became confused. I am…

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Health

The Four Basic Types of Workouts

Rameez Abid / May 21, 2019

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive for that which will benefit you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless” (Ibn Majah). One of the reasons that good health is emphasized in our religion is because it helps us better perform worship and good deeds. The person who is healthy and strong is able to do more good than a person who is weak. When a person has good health, he/she should not waste it in…

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