By Imam Ali Siddiqui Ayishah (May |Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)saw) said: “For every people there is a feast and this is our feast.” (Sahih Bukhari) Anas reported that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, the people of Madinah used to have two festivals. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. Pro

Normally, a guest does not stay long with his host. After dropping by for a while and completing his purpose or courtesy call , he shall finally say goodbye and depart. When he will return is something that cannot be determined exactly by the host since he does not possess the will of his visitor ,nor does he have any control and authority over him. Such visitor could return at his appointed time

By Fatih Harpci The Prophet dealt with every one of his opponents with utmost care, and he took strategic measures not to destroy them but to conquer their hearts. The compelling conditions of our time offer human society two paths to choose from. We will either continue past enmities and stereotypes, or we will learn how to live in peaceful coexistence. It is a world of global connectedness, a

By Hasnaa Hassan Every year, few weeks before Ramadan, I usually start to plan for what I’m going to do during this holy month. Every Ramadan I hope that it will be a new beginning for my relation with Allah; I keep on promising Allah that I’ll be a good Muslim and I’ll fight back all bad habits during this blessed month. However, the promise has never been fulfilled! That’s why this ye

Every Muslim is required to pay Zakatul Fitr at the conclusion of the month of Ramadan as a token of thankfulness to God for having enabled him to observe fasts. Its purpose is to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy. This view is based upon the hadith which reads, “The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, enjoined Zakatul Fitron those who fast

The Hanafis permitted the payment of Zakatul Fitr in money. This is the view of Al Thawri, Al Hasan Al Basri, and Umar ibn Abd Al Aziz. However, the other three schools did not permit this. Their argument is that the Prophet did not do so and hence its payment in money contradicts the Sunnah of the Prophet. But some contemporary scholars support the Hanafi view since this is easier nowadays for t

It is not permissible to delay giving Zakatul Fitrafter the day of `Eid (i.e. one may give it up to the time of the `Eid prayer). However, there are some jurists who think that it is permissible to delay giving it even after the `Eid prayer.[14] The founders of the four schools of Fiqh hold the first opinion, but Ibn Sirin and al-Nakha‘i say that its payment can be delayed. Ahmad says: “I hope

This sermon was delivered on the Ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, 10 AH (623AD) in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat in Makkah. It was the occasion of annual rites of Haj. It is also known as the  Farewell Pilgrimage. After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet (Peace be upon him) began with the words: “O people! Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amo

The word Lailat Al Qadar is a compound word made up of the following: 1. Night (Layl): indicates the time from sunset till dawn 2. Power (Al Qadar): This word carries a number of different meanings such as honour, serenity, judgment, and power. The scholars differed over the meaning of this word when used in relation to that special night that takes place during the month of Ramadan. Here are th

By Thasneem M Is it fair to call God merciful, when He punishes some of those in Hell for eternity? If He was so merciful, why doesn’t He remove them from Hell, after a while? Or better yet, just forgive and let them go? What does Islam have to say about this, when one of the important attributes of God is His mercy to all His creatures? There is no doubt that God is the most merciful. Each of

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which

by Mansoor Ahmed The month of Ramadan is a time when we, despite the struggle, keep ourselves away from that which is otherwise permissible and a necessity in our life. For the past eleven months, at some level we have given preference to our physical self, in terms of nourishment, than our soul. We’ve done things we shouldn’t have, we have probably neglected some duties towards Allah subhana

Holy Quran says: We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle  play. We created them all for nothing other than a true purpose, but most of them do not understand. The Day of Decision is the time appointed for all of them. It is a day when no friend shall be of the least avail to his friend, and when none shall receive support except those upon whom God

“My Sustainer has given me nine commands: To remain conscious of God, whether in private or in public; to speak justly, whether angry or pleased; to show moderation both when poor and when rich; to reunite friendship with those who have broken it off with me; to give to him who refuses me; that my silence should be occupied with thought; that my looking should be an admonition; and that I should

I’tikaf is a Sunnah and according to many jurists it is a confirmed Sunnah upon able Muslims. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do it all his life and the Mothers of Believers and Companions continued to do it after the death of the Prophet. Even before he received the revelation, the Prophet (PBUH) used to retreat in the cave of Hira  in Makkah every Ramada

By Muhammad Fathi The most blessed time of Ramadan has come. The showers of mercy and blessings are heaped on the believers during the last ten nights of Ramadan. It is time to put more effort and be more dedicated. It is a golden chance for those who were careless in the past days of Ramadan to make up and get a great share of the Ramadan’s reward. And it is a long awaited season for the devot

By Abdul Malik Mujahid Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Quran as, “better than a thousand months” (97:3). Any action done on this night such as reciting the Quran, remembering Allah, etc. is better than acting for one thousand months which do not contain the night of Qadr. Allah’s Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater exte

The last third of the blessed month of Ramadan is the last chance a Muslim should seize. In these days occurs the night of qadr, which is virtuous and greatly blessed to the extent that observing worship in it is better than one thousand months. A Muslim is highly encouraged to spare no efforts in these days to gain Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and redemption from the Fire. The last third of Rama

Nafs lexically means, soul, the psyche, ego, self, essence, heart or mind. A closer look into the Islamic concept of the nafs highlights the intricate and complex composition of the inner self.  They are considered to be a single entity, although its state may change.  There are three stages of nafs’ that are mentioned in the Quran, Nafs Al Ammara Bissu (the commanding soul) (Quran 12:53), Naf

“Souls are like soldiers grouped in ranks: those of them which are familiar with each other will be friends, and those which are unfamiliar will be in conflict.” (Bukhari, Muslim and others)