"Surely, the true religion in Allah's sight is Islam" (3:19)
In his eloquent, emotional, charismatic style, Shaykh Zahir Mahmood, describes the Sunni view of the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib and his family and companions (Radi’Allahu Ta’ala Anhum Ajma’in Wa Rahmat’Allah Alayhim Ajma’in) in 61 AH in the sands of Karbala, in present-day Iraq. In this lecture, Shaykh Zahir Mahmood gives some insight into the life of Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali.
Read moreYears ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops. As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received A steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. “Are you a good farm hand?” the farmer asked
Read moreWe sometimes pray for a situation that we don’t realise is worse for us than what we are in, so the Almighty through His Mercy keeps it away from us & we keep thinking our prayers are not answered. The favours of the Almighty upon us are countless. Mufti Ismail Menk
Read moreThis is an extract from Lesson 183 of the commentary of al Tajrid al Sarih (The Abridged Saheeh al Bukhari) by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq Delivered on Friday 8th February 2008 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester. Every Friday.
Read moreNasiruddin was the slave of a king, and very fond of hunting. One day he came across a very pretty baby deer and picked it up and rode away. The mother deer saw Nasiruddin take her baby and followed him anxiously. Nasiruddin, pleased with the baby dear, was thinking about presenting it to his children to play with. After a time, he chanced to look back and saw the mother deer following him, her expression full of grief. He noticed
Read moreTaqwa is one of those unique words in the Arabic language that cannot simply be translated into a word or two in English. As a result, many translators struggle to bring out the real meaning of the word taqwa. Literally, taqwa means to protect and could be that one protects himself from the Wrath of Allah by protecting himself from indulging in things that Allah forbids. In the Shariah, taqwa as used in the Quran repeatedly, signifies the obedience to
Read moreBe very humble, polite & respectful with others even if you are the wealthiest, most influential, most powerful, most knowledgeable, most good looking person. There will always be others who have been blessed with much more than us in every way but atctge same time they are much more humble, polite & respectful to others than us, so let’s learn from them. Mufti Ismail Menk
Read moreAssalamalaykum, As the winter sets in, the mornings are dark, cold possibly even wet, it’s tempting to just stay in bed. Alhumdulillah, we have the means, ability & opportunity to go work with our own hands, earn and provide for ourself and family. Don’t forget this blessing of Allah.
Read moreOur Muslim names, Islamic dress and our prayers are like the sign board found outside a shop, which informs us that inside this shop, sweets, chocolates, biscuits, cakes, fruit, etc. are stocked and sold. The person reading the signboard thus expects to find what has been advertised outside, inside that shop. What would be the reaction of the person if he or she finds cow dung, horse manure and cat’s droppings inside, instead of sweets and chocolates ? In a
Read moreSometimes it takes a very big mistake we make in life to transform us into the best of people. When people make mistakes, react positively. When we make mistakes, reflect correctly and draw lessons. Don’t repeat a mistake. Mufti Ismail Menk
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