Imam Suhaib Webb has recommended these two books for personal development
Towards a Relevant and Empowering Understanding of Islam
by Muslema Purmul
On June 28, 2010 readers were encouraged to comment on how to apply the advice of the following translated piece from the writings of Jamaal al-Din al-Afghani:
“He, The Most High, showed us through His clear verses that nations He has honored do not perish or fall from greatness. Their names are also not erased from the tablet of existence, except by their deviation from the ways Allah established on the foundation of extensive wisdom. Allah does not change a condition of a people to honor, authority, luxury, living, safety and comfort, until those people change what is in themselves – through illumination of the mind, soundness of thought, and depth of vision; from taking lessons from the actions of Allah with previous nations, and reflecting on the situation of those who joined forces against the path of Allah – for they were destroyed – and those who neglected the practice of justice, and left the path of insight, resolution and wisdom – for they were ruined.
Unite together in commitment to righteous work, truthfulness of speech, soundness of the heart, chastity in the face of desires, and protection of truth, standing for its victory, and cooperating in its protection!”
As there were literally no comments in response 
a number of us felt it might be beneficial to highlight some reflections in a separate, shorter, more casual piece. I hope insha’Allah, by sharing some thoughts on this piece, we can all take a moment to reflect internally on our own understanding of Islam.
I found it very interesting in thinking about the times that al-Afghani lived in, as he witnessed the colonization efforts in the Muslim world, that he was able to point a finger inwardly at the ummah itself and ask, “What are we doing wrong?” Subhan’Allah, after he expressed the pain and anguish that everyone feels in witnessing “the fallen condition” he called proactively to taking steps in “changing what is in ourselves.”
The first thing he says we need is: illumination of the mind, soundness of thought, and depth of vision. Al-Afghani emphasizes the subject of our own understanding three times – the power of our minds is at the core of our reform. Before even sincerity and struggle, he emphasizes the significance of our understanding and insight. It reminded me of how our teachers would emphasize that sincerity and spirituality founded on the wrong understanding of Islam is not enough. Activism and struggle with the wrong understanding of Islam is dangerous. When otherwise religious and practicing Muslims are experiencing serious issues of failure in their efforts, one of the first places to look at reevaluating is their Islamic Understanding.
Becoming the Servants of the Most Merciful
By Yahya Ederer
After following our beloved sister and teacher Jinan’s series on Prayer in Islam, we thought it would be suitable to follow up her amazing work with another series. Over the next several weeks, God willing, we will take an analytical yet practical look at the last fifteen verses of Surat al-Furqan. In my estimation, if we were moved by the Prayer series – and we all were – then this is the next logical step. That is because prayer is supposed to make us better, spiritual people with a higher overall standard of conduct and devotion to the Almighty.
The first step in understanding verses from the Qur’an is knowing the reason why they were originally revealed. The answer to this question was mentioned in verse sixty of Surat al-Furqan,
“When it is said to them, ‘Prostrate to the Most Merciful,’ they respond, ‘And what is the Most Merciful? Should we prostrate to that which you [Muhammad] order us?” And it increases them in aversion (to faith).” (25:60)
This verse is related to a verse in Surat al-Israa when Allah says,
“Say, ‘Call upon Allah or the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call – to Him belong the best names…’” (17:110)
The polytheists objected the Prophet’s ﷺ claim to being a strict monotheist while he called upon Allah and Al-Rahman (the Entirely Merciful). According to some commentaries the polytheists knew of Allah being referred to as Al-Rahman, but they are just waiting for any reason to show their rejection of Muhammad’s ﷺ Prophethood. In response to this, Allah revealed Surat al-Rahman to clarify this compassionate characteristic of His and how it manifests itself to us.
Welcoming the Month of Ramadan
A Lecture by Suhaib Webb | Transcribed by Dunia
Part I
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become God-conscious.” (Qur’an, 2:183)
The month of Ramadan is upon us; the Prophet ﷺ mentioned in this good hadith (narration of the sayings or actions of the Prophet ﷺ) that when the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the doors of the Hell-fire are closed and that the devils are chained (Ahmad and an-Nasa’i).
The Objective
We should come to this month, number one, with some objective that we’ve written down in the form of a few goals that we want to take from this month. Maybe we can put them in our iPhone or our Palm; we can put them on our computer—but we should have a few goals because upon us is a noble time. The Prophet ﷺ said, “There are two blessings that most people miss out on: their free time and their health.” (Bukhari)
There are two blessings that most people lose out on – one of them is free time, which can be utilized to do noble acts of worship. Al Ala’ Ibnu Qayim (radi Allahu `anhu – may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned that Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala – exalted is He) out of His mercy, out of His greatness, and out of His awesome power and mercy to His servants, Allah (swt) has chosen specific times when people, if they increase their `ibadah—their worship, their servitude, their focus on Allah (swt)—their rewards are greater. And one of them is this month of Ramadan, particularly the last ten nights.
For that reason, we can take from this month a few lessons. Imam ad-Dahlawi in his book Hujjat ul-Lahi’l-Baligha mentioned something very important: one is foolish who thinks that Allah (swt) legislated these acts of worship without any wisdom. Takleef (difficulty) alone – without any wisdom, without any objectives, without any goals that can be seen by the servant of Allah – is foolish. For example, in Surat al-Kahf, Allah (swt) discusses sending down the rain and how it gives life to a dead land; He says these are signs for every servant who repents and returns to Allah. These are a few lessons we can take from siyaam (fasting) and insha’Allah (if Allah wills) we can benefit.
Sha’ban: One Scholarly Perspective by Dr. Ali Gooma
Question
1. For a long time now, we have been accustomed to celebrating the night of mid-Sha’ban by gathering the residents of the village — old and young, women and children — in the mosque for Maghrib prayer. Afterward, we recite Surat Ya-Sin three times, make supplications from the Qur’an, and pray to Allah for Islam and Muslims after each recitation. In the past, we used to make the supplications on the night of mid-Sha’ban audibly and in a congregation; however, we have since replaced these with supplications from the noble Qur’an. What is the opinion of religion regarding celebrating the night of mid-Sha’ban in this manner?
2. We celebrate different religious occasions, such as Laylat al-Qadr [the Night of Glory], Laylat al-Isra` wa al-Mi’raj [the Night of the Night Journey and Ascension], the noble birth of the Prophet ﷺ, and so forth by gathering a group of shayukh and scholars to deliver religious lectures on these occasions. We also hold religious competitions and litanies, have loudspeakers both inside and outside the mosque, and hang lights outside the mosque for decoration. Sometimes, we videotape the celebration, seating the scholars behind a table facing the audience in the mosque, offer drinks and sweets, and honor those who have memorized the noble Qur’an, their teachers, and the hardworking mosque workers. What is the opinion of religion concerning this manner of celebration?
Answer
by Dr. Ali Gooma Mohammed
First: The night of mid-Sha’ban is a blessed night. There are numerous ahadith which strengthen one another (and are [thus] elevated to the degree of being fair and strong) and which establish the merit of this night. Therefore, commemorating this night is undoubtedly lawful regardless of the fact that these hadiths may be weak or fabricated.
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