Let me start by telling you something I saw recently on a Hertfordshire estate agent’s website. There was a house being sold, generally an indifferent 1920s structure, whose sole feature of note was that at the end of its garden it had an ancient chestnut tree. The chestnut tree, according to the estate agent had been dated by scientists to the early seventh century. Really ancient. That of course means that the tree is as old as our religion. So possibly planted perhaps during the life of our prophet (salla Allahu’alayhi wa sallam) and down the generations of Muslims through all the tempestuous events and all the great triumphs of our history (more…)

We live in such a fast society. Fast food, fast cars, fast internet and fast communication all means that it’s easier to keep touch with loved ones.

However, despite living in such a fast society, how come we’re always in a rush? How come we don’t have time to keep in touch or to visit loved ones? And how come there are not enough hours in the day to just stop and think of someone other than our own selves?

The underlying reason behind our “busy lifestyle” is that we’re selfish; we fail to think or be there for others, because we’re too busy worrying about our own selves. (more…)

Sha’ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is reported in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the month in Sha’ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him but Sha’ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. (more…)

Ali was an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom. Some of the sayings of Ali that breathe wisdom and have attained the dimensions of aphorisms are on record. Some of these are quoted hereunder:

• Fear God and you will have no cause to fear any one.
• Resignation to the Will of God is the cure of the disease of the heart.
• The word of God is the medicine of the heart.
• Lead such a life, that, when you die, the people may mourn you, and while you are alive they long for your company.
• The days of life pass away like clouds, so do good while you are alive.
• Of all the follies the greatest is to love the world.
• Opportunity is swift of flight but slow to return. 

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What is it that we want out of life? Where are we going? What are we doing? What should we be doing? What is the purpose of Allah (swa) sending us to this world? What exactly is our aim in life?

These are the most fundamental questions that we all need to ask ourselves. People answer these questions in different ways. Some people’s aim in life is to collect money, property, to have perfect careers and perfect families, whilst other people desire name, fame and power. (more…)

Arrogance. The daddy of all sins, the characteristic found in history’s most villainous beings, the reason behind the downfall of Satan and the root of all spiritual sicknesses. It is also the most despicable trait found in man. No one likes an arrogant person. We dislike those individuals who look down at others, those who think they are superior to others in terms of looks, intelligence, status or piety, those who are convinced that they are right whilst everyone else is wrong, those who can not speak without praising themselves, those who belittle or talk down to others and have huge egos. Since we strongly detest this trait, it makes sense that we scrutinise our own characters and check whether or not we possess the very same thing that we can’t stand in others.

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In our society keeping quiet or being an introvert are characteristics that are looked down upon. This is because our society only values what is apparent; thus the self-effacing individuals who refrain from speaking unnecessarily are known as the ones who are insecure and lacking in self-confidence, whilst the long-winded individuals are deemed as being clever, witty and successful. (more…)

As the world turns and seasons change, our lives move inexorably toward their fated ends. Our minutes become hours, our hours days, our days weeks, our weeks years, and our years make up the totality of our lives. In these days of great imbalance, we are in greater need of connecting to the natural order that surrounds us. Each planet knows its course and each tree its cycle: “And the stars and the trees submit in prostration.” The stars ornament the sky, and the trees the earth, and between the two realms resides man who is made up of both terrestrial and celestial elements, spiritual and bodily, willful and appetitive, angelic and bestial, light and dark. Each resides in us, at times compelling us to wrongs, and at others to rights. In these latter days, it appears as if the bestial aspect of our natures is waxing, and the spiritual is waning. (more…)

Are you fed up with your Mosque? Are you tired of the constant in- fighting? Are the women being sidelined? Is there even a place for women in your Mosque? Do you understand the Friday Khutbahs? Does your Imam cater for the needs of the community? Do you wish that your Mosque did more? Is your Mosque the centre point of your life?

The Revival has come up with some ideas of how to improve our mosques and passionately argues what every mosque should do. (Read More…)

Today, the term “Islamic tolerance” causes confusion. So, could you please shed light on the spirit of tolerance in Islam?

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother in Islam, thanks for the very interesting question you posed and the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake. (more…)

It is not true that two female witnesses are always considered as equal to only one male witness. It is true only in certain cases.

There are about five verses in the Qur’an that mention witnesses, without specifying male or female. There is only one verse in the Qur’an, that says two female witnesses are equal to one male witness. This verse is Surah Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 282. This is the longest verse in the Qur’an and deals with financial transactions. (more…)

The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following points explain various aspects of this prohibition: (more…)

Can We Be “Too” Into It?

We live in a society in which Western values dictate how we should live our lives. These external pressures, coupled with the inclination towards their desires, makes it increasingly difficult for people to practice their religion. (more…)

By Fawzia Malik

Wearing the Hijaab isn’t just a matter of simply putting a piece of cloth on your head, it is an attitude, a way of thinking and behaving, and accepting yourself for who and what you are. (more…)

Belief in the hereafter is not based on blind faith?

Many people wonder as to how a person with a scientific and logical temperament, can lend any credence to the belief of life after death. People assume that anyone believing in the hereafter is doing so on the basis of blind belief. My belief in the hereafter is based on a logical argument. (more…)

Freewill is the most difficult of God’s gifts to understand or appreciate. The person who gives up selfish freedom and agrees to be God’s servant will always be truly free.

By Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood. (more…)

Syed Khalid Shaukat The Islamic calendar is based on lunar months, which begin when a thin new crescent Moon is actually sighted in the western sky after sunset within a day or so after the New Moon. (more…)

When was the last time you cried? Not a few drops of salty water from your eyes, or the odd tear that slipped down your face while watching Muhammad, the Palestinian boy screaming in agony. (more…)

INTRODUCTON

Very often the following question is posed to many people: “Do you follow the Deen of Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) or the Deen of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)?” “Obviously the Deen of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam),” comes the instant reply. The second question is then posed: “Why then do you call yourself a Hanafi?” (more…)

Dr Abdulhakim Jackson

Associate Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, The University of Michigan (more…)

Q: What is Islam?

A: The word “Islam” means peace and submission. Peace means to be at peace with yourself and your surroundings and submission means submission to the will of God. Islam is not just a religion but also a complete way of life. It deals with each and every aspect of life. (more…)

Uniqueness of the Name

The name for the religion of Islam is much more than just a name because it expresses a deep spiritual meaning as well as an overall outlook on life and concept of worship. (more…)

Since God is the absolute and the sole master of men and the universe, He is the sovereign Lord, the Sustainer and Nourisher, the Merciful, Whose mercy enshrines all beings; and since He has given each man human dignity and honor, and breathed into him of His own spirit, (more…)

The question whether there is a life after death does not fall under the jurisdiction of science, as science is concerned only with classification and analysis of sensory data. Moreover, man has been busy with scientific enquiries and research in the modern sense of the term only for the last few centuries, while he has been familiar with the concept of life after death since time immemorial. (more…)

The Words of The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him)

Inscribed on the hilt of the Prophet’s sword: ‘Forgive him who wrongs you; join him who cuts you off; do good to him who does evil to you, and speak the truth although it be against yourself.’ (more…)