sharia

One of my professors of Tafseer (Qur’anic Exegesis) gave me an assignment. He told me to read Surat Qaf, the fiftieth chapter of the Holy Qur’an one thousand times during the week and to compose a journal where my thoughts and reflections on those profound words would be kept. At first the task seemed daunting,

Tips for the attainment of happiness through the belief in Allah as offered by Sheikh `A'id Al-Qarni

There is no doubt that the Quran is the Book of Allah, His eternal word and divine miracle. How does Quran cover the virtues of Ramadan

Some people have butterflies in their stomach when Ramadan draws near. They become more alert as Ramadan gets closer. Why do we have this anxiety?

Fasting during Ramadan was ordained during the second year of Hijrah. Why not earlier? In Makkah the economic conditions of the Muslims were bad. They were being persecuted. Often days would go by before they had anything to eat. It is easy to skip meals if you don’t have any. Obviously fasting would have been

The ruling of the ill and travelers who are exempted from fasting Ramadan and must make up for the missed days

Elderly men and women are permitted to break their fasts, as are the chronically ill, and those who have to perform difficult jobs under harsh circumstances and who could not find any other way to support themselves. All of these people are allowed to break their fast, because such a practice would place too much

There are few things that can invalidate the act of fasting in Islam. The detail as follow: 1-Intentional eating or drinking: If one eats due to forgetfulness, a mistake, or coercion, then he does not have to make up the day later or perform any expiation. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said: “Whoever forgets he

I`tikaf (Spiritual Retreat) meaning & legitimacy: I`tikaf means to stick to something, whether good or bad, and to block out everything else. Allah says in the Qur’an: “What then are images that you pay devotion [akifun] to them?” (Al Anbia’: 52)—that is, what they devoted themselves to in worship. What is meant here is the

The virtues of observing voluntary fasts during the following days: six days of Shawwal, first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and the month of Muharram.

Few things to do for obtaining the treasures of the last ten nights of Ramadan

The virtue of the last third of Ramadan and the importance of maximizing the period with several good deeds.

The explanation of the Prophet Saying: Maintain truthfulness, for truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Heaven..

Before answering whether earthquake is a punishment or a universal norm, there is a need to understand what an earthquake means, and why it happens.

Every Ramadan we make plans to improve ourselves as Muslims, but those plans do not always come to fruition later because the surge of faith that we have now is severely lacking outside this blessed month. Part of the reason is because the devils are locked up during this month, so to repel the devils

As the last ten nights are now upon us, it is time to re-evaluate how far we have come. Two-thirds of the month have already passed and will not return. However, we still have enough time to make a final push in this month, to maximize the benefit that we can attain, and draw closer

These are few questions on fasting and its ruling in Islam: 1-Until Dawn, One Can Eat, Drink and Have Intercourse: If someone has food in his mouth when Fajr is beginning, he should spit it out. If he is having intercourse (with his wife) at that time, he should immediately stop. If he does so,

What are the gates of paradise? Who will receive this great reward? Who will be able to defeat his evil desires more than anyone else?

How being sincere for Almighty Allah can affect the faith of believers in Islam.

Pleasures of this world are tangible and present, while delights of Paradise are unseen promises. People are readily influenced by what they can instantly see and know. It is hard for them to forgo something that is in front of them for the sake of something that is in the future, so how much harder

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is believed to have originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15th. The festival was a fertility celebration and involved the pairing of men and women by lottery. In the 5th century, the Christian church replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day, which was

Every day, as we go through the same old routine of life, getting up, praying, going to work, dealing with people, going home, sleeping, etc, how easy is it for us to walk with blinders on our eyes? I thought of this the other day when I was scolded by someone about a thing that

Knowing the heart and its qualities and functions is an integral part of the religion and a basis for those who seek the cause of Allah

The list below include things that people do during their fasting day and do not invalidate their acts of fasting. 1-Pouring water over oneself and submersing oneself in water: Abu Bakr ibn `Abdurrahman reported from a number of companions that they had seen Allah’s Messenger pour water over his head while he was fasting due

1-The Days of `Eid: All scholars agree that such a fast is prohibited. It does not matter if the fast is obligatory or voluntary. `Umar testifies: “The Messenger of Allah has forbidden fasting on these two days. Concerning the `Eid of breaking the fast, it is for you to break your fast [of Ramadan]. On

The example of the Prophet, his Companions, and the earliest generation of Muslims in realizing the benefit of Ramadan

Introducing Abu Hurairah, an important companion who helped preserved and transmitted the valuable legacy of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

The holy month of Ramadan is a time of restraint, reflection, and renewal. Muslims make every effort to better themselves and to be drawn closer to their Creator. They guard their tongues, engage in long hours of worship, exercise patience, and open up their hearts and pockets to charitable causes. However, when it comes to

Tips and guidelines on how to maintain a balance life in Islam through its principles of moderation.

It creeps up on you, sometimes, knowing that you’ve changed. You didn’t realize, you still don’t know, how it happened. And the scary thing is that the change was a fundamental part of you. It was all of who you thought you were. It was your destination and your journey. But you lost it. Now,

Muslims believe that God created them to worship Him and lead a life of righteousness and piety. They also believe that Islam is not only about religious affairs. Islam is a complete way of life. In their endeavors to lead their life, they, as humans, aspire to attain wealth, health, social position, etc. It is

It’s never easy to stand when the storm hits… As soon as it starts raining, lightning shortly follows. Dark clouds replace the sun and all you can see are the waves of an ocean, once calm, surrounding you. No longer able to find your way, you reach out for help. You begin by calling the

Richard Dawkins said of religion: “I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world.” Others think the same as Dawkins. And there are times when I meet some ‘religious’ people and almost sympathize with the Oxford academic. Too many people hide behind religion in order not to think,

This article seeks to outline the revelation in the Qur’an on thankfulness, and discuss its various attributes. It also explains how the believer can become more thankful

How do we gain the tranquility of the heart by earning the love of Allah?

Seeking the tranquility of the heart through having a proper understanding about the God and the actual patience in the destiny

{Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him…} (An-Naml 27: 62) For whatever problem we have, whatever difficulty we find ourselves in, we have the most powerful weapon to ward off the pain that plagues us. It is the weapon of du`a’ (supplication). We know with certainty that

How best can we love the Almighty Allah and make His love reflects in our attitudes and behaviors?

What are the things that bring about Allah's love and make it grow in our heart and thus gives us the real tranquility and faith?

What is the meaning of Ikhlas (Sincerity), its essential benefit to the growth of the faith and its effects on the good deeds.

The effect of thankfulness during the moment of hardship in the relation to the verse {And when your Lord proclaimed: If ye give thanks, I will give you more}

How is thankfulness linked to the aim of existence based on the verse {Why should Allah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him}

Tips of the importance of good morals as an essential requisite of Muslim faith.

How the Holy Qur'an addresses the purpose of life? How it has always presented the reminders to Mankind on how to lead a proper life.

I admit it. I’m human. And because I’m human I like to think that I’m in control, and even that I control others (“Yes, you will eat your spinach”). I fall into the habit of thinking that I will wake up in the morning and go to work, rarely remembering that I could die at

Being sure (having yaqeen) means certainty in the Strength of God, in His mercy, in His promise, and in everything that we talked about

Before you can fill any vessel, you must first empty it. The heart is a vessel. And like any vessel, the heart too must be emptied – before it can be filled. One can never hope to fill the heart with God, so long as that vessel is full of other than Him. To empty

Fasting on Muharram 10, known as the Day of `Ashura’, expiates for the sins of the past year. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10 and asked them the reason for their fasting on this day. They

Love is in the air. Or at least that’s what advertisers want you to think this month. While it’s nice to express your love often, Valentine’s Day comes once a year to give you no choice. And for the owners of floral boutiques and chocolate shops, Feast comes in February. But even amidst such commercialized

When the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel, it was revealed in seven Arabic dialects (Al-Bukhari, 442), therefore when different Companions recited there were sometimes slight differences in pronunciation. While Prophet Muhammad was alive, he was able to clarify and resolve any pronunciation disputes. From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, Umar

The article shows the importance of having a proper trust in God alone and its effect in dealing with sadness and eradicating it.

Being grateful to Allah for His blessings is a behavior that Muslims have to explore during the moments of joy and sadness. It has to be a constant attribute of Muslims.

The meaning of patience in Islam and ways of maximizing its level in the moment of sadness and its potential benefits

In general, du`aa’ (supplication) can be said in your own language or in Arabic. But some, such as “Bismi-llahi” and “Al-hamdu lillahi”, are short and easily learned, and also frequently said, so you should learn them in Arabic. In the du`aa’s given below, click on the icon to hear the Arabic. 1. Whenever you eat

What do money, a good word, and removing something harmful from the road have in common? Giving charity is such an important part of Islam that even the Arabic word tasaddaqa (to give charity) comes from the root sadaqa meaning to speak the truth, to be sincere. Sadaqah (voluntary charity) is different from zakah, the

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam, and thus one of the most important acts of worship. By fasting — whether during Ramadan or other times — a Muslim draws closer to his Lord by abandoning the things he enjoys, such as food, drink and sexual intercourse. This makes

What do you say when you stub your toe or pinch your finger or worse? Is the first word that comes out of your mouth “Damn!” or “Sh__!” or “F__!”

The approach of Islam to elevate the human self and get it closer to God is realistic, comprehensive, rational, and direct.

Does a person’s religion make any difference to the way they experience death and grief?

The article demonstrates the importance of five daily prayers in the life of Muslim, how these prayers are related to Faith.

The significant benefits of being grateful and thankful for God's blessings upon His creation.

Thankfulness is a blessed attitude expressed towards others. It is an expression of love and appreciation of others. Thankfulness is not bound to time, place or religion. Everyone says thank you in any language wherever he is and at any time. In Islam, gratitude is given much importance and emphasis. Whenever you ask a Muslim:

Tips on relieving the broken heart and how the attitude of forgiveness can ease a complicated condition.

The article shows the meaning of Kindness to relatives in Islam and how best a Muslim can relate with his relatives with kindness.

A reflection on the psychology of wellbeing through the recitation of Surah Fatiha in Muslim five daily obligatory prayers

For ordinary people, rida or resignation means not objecting to what God has willed for them. For those with a deeper spiritual knowledge of God, resignation means welcoming their individual destinies. For those who live a life of profound spirituality, resignation means that, without paying attention to their own considerations, they are always attentive to

 Studying the Qur’anic Qira’at (modes of recitation) was a watershed moment in my life, a watershed moment in which my perspectives on life, death, and the afterlife shifted dramatically. It has always bothered me that most Muslims, especially those who are not Arab, don’t know about the Qira’at, which is the Holy Qur’an’s most amazing

There is something that has been bothering me for quite some time now and it is the realization that so many Muslims (especially youth) are not engaging with the Quran as they should be. Instead of reading and trying to understand it many people feel that the Quran is too complex, too long, too repetitive,

The call to establish prayer with the word Hayya alal Salah in Islam and the reflection on its meaning.

Tips for the better way to learn and reflect on Allah's names and attributes through the constant remembrance of Allah with His good names.

Tips for people who want to reform themselves through self-criticism and the relation it has in the increase of faith

Understanding the concept of tranquility of the heart in Islam and how it was explained by the Prophet (Pbuh)

Muslims who read the Quran with an open heart and understand the meaning of its word have no doubt that the Quran is the Word of God. A non-Muslim approaching the Quran for the first time may legitimately ask: After all, is the Quran the word of God, as it is claimed? By using the

Indeed, Islam has encouraged exercise and called to practice different types of sports that can contribute to physical and mental growth and the type that would develop a healthy and strong generation.  Regarding the legality of sport and its desirability, Dr. Abdulfatah Idris, a professor of comparative religion in Al-Azhar University said: practicing different types

The preservation of environment in the traditions of the Prophet. Some tips for the believers on how to keep the nature safe.

The article addresses the existence of allegorical verse in the noble Qur'an and the scholars approach in explaining them

The importance of kindness to parents and its virtues. Tips on how Islam emphasizes on this issue through the instances from great messengers of Allah.

It is related that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The greatest fear I have for my community is a lesser form of polytheism… showing off.” (Ahmad) There is nothing wrong with a believer feeling happy on account of people’s praise. It is only showing off when a person intends to do a good

According to some scholars, it is allowed for Muslim women to take off hijab before other Muslim women as well as reputable non-Muslim women. So if this woman is a woman of character and integrity, you are allowed to treat her like anyone else and you can swim in her presence. Muslim parents are allowed

The duties of Muslim children towards their parents in Islam as they are detailed in Qur'an and the tradition of the Prophet

From the time immemorial, people have sought means of physical training and invented all kinds of sports to make their bodies strong, but each to its purposes and conditions. A nation where fighting and battles were the norm, sports like weightlifting, archery and dueling would be very common, while swimming became the favorite sports to

The ruling of prostration in some sports and how a Muslim should refrain from it when practicing sport.

“Pray to me and I will hear your prayer” the Qur’an says (40:60). “Say Du’a for the Bosnia’s and Palestinians” an Islamic human rights organization pleads. “Say Du’a for me.” Your friend pleads as she goes to interview for a job. Muslims are accustomed to using du’a and prayer in a number of situations mentioned

How best can a Muslim celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad through using the lawful means and avoiding any form of innovation.

The article shows how the scholars' Ijtihadic reasoning evaluates the ruling of sports both in the past and the present

The article details about some features of sports in Islam which were practiced at the early time of Islam, in the time of Prophet.

How does Islam reckon the difference between prizes acquired from permissible competition and betting?

Some benefits of playing sports, and the Islamic moral training and guidance in choosing the right sport.

Introducing the Quran as a revered revelation of Allah and how best a Muslim can read it and ponder on the meaning of its messages.

Tips on the meaning of Tawakkul (relaince on God) especially during the time of trials and anxiety, and what does it take to fully rely on God

A brief commentary on the Prophet's saying: This religion is easy. How it define for us the concept of moderation in its proper Islamic context.

Explaining the Forms of Allah's guidance on the Prophet Muhammad through the revelation (Wahi)

How to read the Quran in a perfect way and fulfil the necessary condition of proper reading and understanding.

Tips for how to benefit from the Quran, understand its meaning and learn from his teachings and wisdoms

The interview addressed how a Muslim can cultivate the deep love for the Prophet Muhammad, and How well this love can be shown.

This article speaks on the significance prayer and how it is a medium of connecting with the Most High.