Tazkiyah – Purification

It is necessary for an individual to pause at the end of each day that has passed, taking oneself to account for self-criticism

One’s heart should always be filled with the remembrance of Allah. Forgetfulness and negligence are the main weaknesses of human beings. The only remedy is that the believer should develop God-consciousness and be constantly aware that Almighty Allah watches him. All acts of worship aim at drawing man closer to Allah. The Qur’an says, (Establish

Heart is a very important part of the human body. A lot depends on the heart: Not only our physical health, but also our spiritual and moral health depends on the soundness of the heart. Someone said rightly, “The problem of the heart is the heart of the problem.” All problems, whether individual, familial, social,

Before we embark on the next stage of this journey, I want to mention two things. First, much of what you read here will not be radically new. The reason for that is that Allah (swt) has equipped us with ways to achieve tranquility of the heart, yet we seldom use them in that way.

Anyone who looks around modern society will quickly notice the many blessings of technology and scientific advancement. As Muslims we recognize that these are blessings from our beloved Creator who provided us with the means to achieve success. We also see, as a result of people straying from God and His message, the ugly side

Ordinary souls experience serene moments, pure from earthly dross and defilement, when any bitter or harsh feelings they have are softened, and their thoughts are elevated from earth to the pure and fresh air of heaven, where a sense of peace and tranquility pervades their being. But they soon descend to their low ground, where

In continuing with the noble traits of the true servants of The Merciful, we find that they are characterized by a deep sincerity; they give up their precious sleep time in devotion to their Most Gracious Creator. The Most High elucidates the next quality of His servants who are, “Those who spend part of the

People can be very different when faced with irritating, bothersome, or offensive situations. Some are easily upset and lose their composure; others can remain calm, gentle and yielding through the toughest of trials. Most of us are somewhere in between. The truth is that many people are predisposed to such characteristics and others acquire these

The people in heaven are rewarded differently based upon how much they made this life a means to achieving success in the hereafter. Those who disciplined themselves to live this life for the hereafter are those who embraced the test of life with faith and wisdom. We all have goals that we would like to

The following series will be about the characteristics of those people who truly know God, the Most Merciful and thus live a lifestyle which reflects that

    cure can not be found until the disease has been diagnosed and medicine is useless unless it counters the causes of the disease. From this we learn that the only thing which nullifies a thing, is its opposite. The reason why a person persists in sin is heedlessness and succumbing to desires. Only knowledge

When Allah commands us to give up sins and to avoid them it is not because our sins will harm Him. It is only us who will benefit by avoiding sins. Likewise, we alone will be affected by the sins we commit. It was the habit of the righteous ancestors to think about their sins

One of Satan’s favorite tricks is to make people think and say, I will do such-and-such soon, in a little while, maybe tomorrow, or next week and so on. He makes them delay their actions making them feel secure and happy with the present. Some people have named this “The Great Obstacle.” A person may

Suspicion could ruin the relations between people, particularly when it is based on flimsy evidence, or hearsay. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke in very clear terms about misplaced suspicion, giving clear orders to refrain from it. One clearly authentic hadith that combines some of the actions that cause discord within the

The verse of Qur'an mentioned in the article reveals four basic qualities of pioneers in good deeds

A quick flashback when my daughter Salma was then attending her first classes in kindergarten. Miss Zainab, her respectful teacher, taught her how to write the alphabet in both Arabic and English, as well as how to draw some interesting objects: a duck, a bird, and a watermelon. Salma started practicing and training on exploring

If we say that sins are dangerous, then belittling sins and taking them lightly is more dangerous than sinning itself

When I see someone repenting, see their return to Allah, see their efforts to walk on the straight path, my heart is filled with joy. Alhamdulillah, the number of repentant men and women is increasing day by day. Despite the happiness for these virtuous ones, there are also some people whose acts and deeds make

In Surat Ash-Shams, Allah swears by the nafs [here translated “soul” but better understood as “self”] saying {By the soul [nafs] and He Who proportioned it, and inspired it its wickedness and its righteousness; he has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it (with corruption)}. (Ash-Shams: 7-9). The above Qur’anic verses

Part of lessons taught from the hijrah (migration) of the Prophet Muhammad to Madinah is the hijrah of hearts.

Muhammad and the Rebuilding of the Kaaba The modesty of the Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, was the most prominent trait of his personality.  Even from an early age, his sense of shame in an open society of the Arabs prior to Islam was remarkable.  In one instance,

Modesty before God according to His right to modesty is that you protect your mind in what it learns; your stomach in what it ingests … Muhammad and Modesty before God Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), said: “Every religion has its characteristic, and the characteristic of Islam is modesty.” (Hadith in Al-Muwatta) Modesty, in

Modesty can be seen as the means by which morals and ethics in society are maintained and pursued. Modesty and shyness focus a special aspect in the relationship between man and his Creator, this important role made all prophets and messengers encourage modesty, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed from the teachings

Many are those fettered with chains of sin, and those captivated by bad habits of whose damage and dangers they are completely aware. They stay imprisoned by those habits after their wills are weakened. Habits have their own power over souls and authority over hearts; they become implanted in the human being, and turn into

By Bilal Philips To remove the obstacles we have to focus mostly on self-change and this is because Allah says: {Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of good within themselves…} (13:11) This is an area which we have control over. We

The topic of inner peace addresses a universal need. There is nobody on this planet that does not desire inner peace. It is not a desire that is new to our time; rather, it is something that everybody has been searching for throughout the ages, regardless of color, creed, religion, race, nationality, age, sex, wealth,

Sometimes it feels like it’s just too much – these fluctuations in our faith, the repeated sinning, the feeling that “I just don’t deserve Allah’s mercy.” The tests always feel like punishments. There is a constant worry about the future: my marriage, my money, my career, my nation… And some difficulties just feel like they

It is easy for one to talk about righteous deeds and actions and all required steps to achieve them. Yet in today’s society and busy life and lack of time to focus, one may need more details and specific directions and activities to guide him through this great journey. This series on the topic of

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions knew something that is not often displayed today. They were able to face difficulty with a certain determination in their hearts; they were grateful for even the seemingly small blessings; they took pleasure in praying at night while the people were asleep. What they knew was

{[And it will be said], ‘Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been appreciated.} (Al-Insan 76: 22) Failure can take a toll on a person: that feeling of trying and trying, over and over, yet somehow never getting where you want to be. Or sometimes the task just seems too huge

Indeed, all sins poison the heart and lead to its illness, disease and destruction. Being in effect as harmful to the heart as actual poisons are to the body, they sicken it and define its will as other than what God wants (of His servant). Imam Ibn Al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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)

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

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

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

The virtue of visiting the sick in Islam illustrating the empathy that Muslims are required to feel for all mankind.

How Islam helps the average human being in dealing with sadness and worry on a daily basis.

The benefit of having hope in turning in a new life and awakening a deadened will.

How to protect yourself from the whispers of Satan? How to repel his continuous attempts to ensnare you? How to guard your faith against his malicious tricks? Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim recommends the following ten shields in your ceaseless war with Satan:     1. Seeking refuge with Allah from Satan. Allah the Most High says,    

Avarice and greed are blameworthy flaws that the Prophet (Pbuh) forbade, stressing that no one will get anything except what Allah willed.

Thanksgiving in Islam is known as Shukr. It is mentioned in the Qur’an many times. It is the quality of human beings and it is also the quality of Allah

Every event that happens to the Muslim has one sort or another of goodness in it. Allah states that even events that seem to be unfavorable..

Here is the list of the five things that the Noble Qur'an demands from every Muslim. They forms the obligations that Muslims owe the Qur'an.

Anger is a flame of fire, and when man is angry he has some relation to the accursed Satan who said, as the Qur’an tells, [… Thou didst create Me from fire, and him from clay.] (Al-A`raf: 12) Anger is condemned in Islam because it produces malevolence and envy. Once a man said to the

Determination is the most significant attribute of a believer. Believers never lose their enthusiasm and their devotion. Believers engage in their struggles only to earn the pleasure of God, which is why no difficulty proves to be a hindrance to their endeavors. The only goal of believers is to deserve the favor of their Lord,

Learn about the Islamic view on self-admiration, its destructive nature and the remedy prescription from the Prophet (Pbuh) tradition

The meanings and etiquettes of Dhikr (Allah's remembrance) and Du'aa (Supplication) are described through this article.

Believers’ notion of forgiveness is very different to that of those who do not live by the morals of the Qur’an.

Spiritual health is as important, if not more, as the physical and mental health. What is the functions of Spiritual health?

Showing off is dispraised both in the Qur’an and in the Sunnah. In the Qur’an, Allah the Almighty says, [So woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their Prayers; those who (want but) to be seen (of men).] (Al-Ma`un 107: 4-6) And in the Sunnah, it was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings

Backbiting (ghaybah or ghibah) is forbidden in the Glorious Qur’an, which likens a person who backbites to one who eats the flesh of his dead brother.

The quality of our success as social beings depends on our capacity to develop the magnetic power of caring enough

The way of the Prophets of Allah in the face of life challenges. These ways are in form of advice that Allah gave to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Importance of faith and observing one's intention from any act that can corrupt it or affect it.

The importance of Purity of Intentions in Islam and how Quran reads that?

The true meaning of Rahmah the Arabic word for mercy in Islam and its practical analysis in the Divine Attributes of Allah.