Islamic Reminders

When many Muslims think about the message of the Quran, they think about the rules first. And yes, Allah has given us guidelines to follow, and disciplines like fiqh play an essential role in applying those guidelines correctly.But this is not how early Islam looked.During the first thirteen years of the seerah in Makkah, before the obligations of fasting, zakat, and Hajj were revealed, the Quran was shaping something deeper. That message brought Makkah to its knees and challenged its long-standing culture of corruption, injustice and greed. Allah was establishing foundational principles before introducing the rules. These principles applied to everyone, in every role, and in every situation, without the need for technical instructions.It may be difficult to imagine, but there was a time when many of the rules we carefully observe today had not yet been revealed, and yet Allah refers to those early believers in Makkah as as-Sabiqoon, the ones closest to Him.Before the rules, they ingrained the principles in their hearts. With that foundation in place, the rules that came later became much easier to live by.This lecture does not undermine the significance of rules in Islam in any way. Rather, the aim is to remind us to build the foundation before becoming overly fixated on the details.When principles come first, the rules make sense and give life structure. When principles are neglected, rules lose their purpose. If we want to understand Islam properly, especially for the next generation, we have to return to where it began and rebuild from the ground up.

how addiction is killing us

This episode delves into the concept of true fulfillment from an Islamic perspective. We'll explore how Islamic principles and practices can guide us towards a life of purpose, meaning, and lasting satisfaction.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If a man spends on his family (with the intention of having a reward from Allah) sincerely for Allah's sake then it is a (kind of) alms-giving in reward for him.

Sahih al-Bukhari 39

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights."

Sahih al-Bukhari 37

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven."

Four Characteristics of Hypocrisy

Sahih al-Bukhari 29

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "I was shown the Hellfire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you."

Sahih al-Bukhari 20

Narrated 'Aisha:

Whenever Allah's Messenger peace be upon him ordered the Muslims to do something, he used to order them deeds which were easy for them to do, (according to their strength and endurance). They said, "O Allah's Messenger peace be upon him! We are not like you. Allah has forgiven your past and future sins." So Allah's Apostle peace be upon him became angry and it was apparent on his face. He said, "I am the most Allah fearing, and know Allah better than all of you do."

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "A time will soon come when the best property of a Muslim will be sheep which he will take on the top of mountains and the places of rainfall (valleys) so as to flee with his religion from afflictions."

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي صَعْصَعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَكُونَ خَيْرَ مَالِ الْمُسْلِمِ غَنَمٌ يَتْبَعُ بِهَا شَعَفَ الْجِبَالِ وَمَوَاقِعَ الْقَطْرِ، يَفِرُّ بِدِينِهِ مِنَ الْفِتَنِ ‏"‏‏.‏Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 19